"This is a celebration!," Thad Wilson (pictured) cheered during his jazz orchestra's first set on Friday night at Bohemian Caverns. The ensemble was at the club celebrating its 10th anniversary as D.C.'s only regularly working, homegrown big band. Though the music was loose, as this lineup does not perform together regularly, but a note-perfect performance was not necessarily the goal of the night. Wilson's hope was simply to acknowledge and share ten years of memories as one of D.C.'s few big band leaders.

"Tonight's a party," Wilson said during his break on Friday. "This is not a serious night of music, but this music is serious."

Friday night's concert featured a full big band comprised of musicians who were playing with Wilson when the project first started, while Saturday night saw the group's current lineup, a stripped down nine piece ensemble.

"We wanted to expose the folks to where we started," explained Wilson, "[Saturday's performance] is where we are now so that will be more of a polished ensemble sound."

Much of the night's early set recalled the days of classic big band when folks still used to dance to this music. The show opened with a hard charging blues shuffle that featured solos by established trumpeter Michael Thomas and up-and-coming tenor player Brian Settles. Drummer Nasar Abadey, one of the area's finest, opened "Rapid Shave," a tune originally performed by organist Shirley Scott, with a lengthy solo. Settles also got a chance to shine over the song's soulful groove.

The presence of "The Jazz Postman," saxophonist Buck Hill, only added to the night's warm atmosphere. Hill was the featured soloist on the standards, "My One and Only Love" and "Satin Doll." His lush tone and gentle vibrato were rich in tradition and show why he is the personification of D.C.'s jazz history.

Unfortunately, the elder statesman voiced the night's one and only complaint.

"It's past my bedtime," lamented the 80-year old Hill before the show. "It's time for me to get out and let the young people have it."

"My One and Only Love," as well as the original composition, "Blues: The Saga Continues," surprisingly showcased Wilson's vocal abilities. Though not a trained singer, his decision to sing added a nice personal touch to the set. Another touching moment was the Pat Metheny ballad, "Always and Forever," which Wilson dedicated to his wife, who was in the audience.