Jazz Beat: Pieces of a Dream

Renowned for swing, 18th and Vine still welcomes the occasional influx of mellowness: super-soulful adult contemporary, easy R&B, smooth jazz by any other name. Pieces of a Dream, mentored in Philadelphia by saxophonist Grover Washington Jr. — he produced its first three albums — has defined a style of music you sometimes just want to soak up late at night. Over the past four decades, the group has released more than 20 studio albums. Keyboardist James Lloyd and drummer Curtis Harmon, two of the original trio (bassist Cedric Napoleon was the third), still lead the ensemble, playing music appropriate for Valentine’s Day. Pieces of a Dream visits the Gem Theater Saturday night.

Pieces of a Dream

8 p.m. Saturday, February 11, at the Gem Theater, 1615 East 18th Street ($45)