September 24, 2008
This Week In Jazz
Marcus Strickland, photo by Jimmy Katz |
>> Up-and-coming saxophone sensation Marcus Strickland lent his sound to Mos Def on Sunday night. Tonight, he'll be leading his own group through 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. Tickets are $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Minor Thoughts is a Washington, D.C. based band with a repertoire of straight ahead standards, post bop and Latin influenced jazz. They'll be performing on Thursday night at Twins Jazz. Call 202-234-0072 for set time and cover information.
>> Jazz-fusion heavyweights Spyro Gyra have been on the scene for decades and were forerunners to what eventually became known as smooth jazz. The group begins a four night stand at Blues Alley on Thursday. Tickets to the 8 and 10 p.m. sets are $43 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Local mainstay Jacques "Saxman" Johnson leads a band this Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. The ensemble will feature Ellington High School jazz director Davey Yarborough, saxophonist Lyle Link, and others. 6 to 9 p.m. $5
>> Veteran band Hiroshima brings it's world jazz to the Birchmere on Friday at 7:30 p.m. $39.50 + Ticketmaster fees.
>> Kevin Mahogany visits the worlds of R&B, boogie woogie, blues, and jazz on Friday at the Kennedy Center with his Kansas City Revue. The K.C. native will perform alongside the Godfathers of Groove and vocalist Kathy Kosins. Tickets to the 7:30 and 9:30 sets are sold out, but it's worth contacting the box office for last minute availability.
>> Guitarist Johnathan Hreisberg has toured as a sideman with some of jazz's best. This Friday and Saturday, he'll be leading a group with organist Gary Versace and drummer Mark Ferber at Twins Jazz. Tickets to the 9 and 11 p.m. sets are $16 + $10 minimum.
Wayne Shorter |
>> It's a bass summit this weekend at the venerable Bohemian Caverns. On Friday, the club will host New York bassist Corcoran Holt while local bassist Michael Bowie and his group perform on Saturday. Tickets to the 9 and 11 p.m. sets are $15.
>> Two acts preserving the traditions of African American music team up on Sunday at the Kennedy Center for an incredible double bill. The show will combine the New Orleans sound of Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the soulful gospel of the Blind Boys of Alabama, who will perform sets separately before sharing the stage. Stay tuned for a full preview. Tickets to the 7 p.m. show are $20 to $65.
>> The University of Maryland's Clarice Smith Center for the Performing Arts hosts another great double bill on Sunday with saxophone legend Wayne Shorter and his quartet, featuring pianist Danilo Perez, drummer Brian Blade, and bassist John Patitucci. The supergroup will join forces with world/classical quintet Imani Winds for what is sure to be a spectacular show. Tickets to the 6 p.m. show are sold out, but it's worth contacting the box office for last minute cancellations.
>> MFA Kera of Senegal combines forces with jazzman Mike Russell and the Black Heritage Orchestra to perform a wide variety of musical styles ranging from Afro beat to jazz to gospel. The group will be performing 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley next Monday. Tickets are $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
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Some more blues events to add:
Saturday is the DC Blues Society's battle of the bands, at Surf Club Live.
Also Saturday is the Severn Records 10th anniversary party, presented by the Baltimore Blues Society, at the Fish Head Cantina. It's a 2 pm - 2 am show!
Sunday is the Bluebird Blues Festival at P.G. Community College.
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Anyone know where I could ever look to get a "big band" experience. Sort of 40s feeling with 10+ or so musicians all playing at the same time in a bar, club, or restaurant atmosphere. Maybe a venue to keep an eye on their calendar or a band name to look out for? Thanks in advance.
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Heryandotus,
Here is a calendar of swing dancing events if that's what you're looking for.
Also, some of the best big bands in the country are in this area because of all the military bands stationed here. Keep an eye out for the Army Blues, the Navy Commodores, or the Airmen of Note, in particular. All three are fantastic bands and all of their performances are free and open to the public. They perform all over the city in venues ranging from Blues Alley to concert halls, to outdoor summer festivals.
Finally, The Thad Wilson Orchestra performs every Monday at Bohemian Caverns. It's a "mini" big band comprised of some of the best musicians in the city.
Hope this helps.