The Brandee Younger Trio plays Judson’s Credit: Courtesy photo

Of all the musical instruments out there, the harp is the cloistered monk of the bunch. Besides angels at the pearly gates, what else does it evoke? Exactly. However, there are indeed some visionary harpists recontextualizing it, like avant-garde mavericks Zeena Parkins and Mary Lattimore. But Grammy-nominated harpist-composer Brandee Younger is bringing the celestial instrument to new relevancy by planting a bold flag in the popular grounds of jazz, soul and R&B. 

With a trio that vibes more as a jazz combo than a chamber group, Younger coaxes the best from both worlds, at once elevating the contemporary and giving the divine some style. If this is the house band, then that’s my kind of heaven.

6 p.m. & 9 p.m. Saturday, March 14, and 5 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 15, Judson’s Live at the Dr. Phillips Center, drphillipscenter.org, $40.71-$58.41.

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This article appears in March 11-17, 2026.

Music columnist.