This Week in Jazz
Wallace Roney
>> Three Stars alum Brad Linde leads his nonet through a special performance tonight at Bohemian Caverns. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of tenor saxophonist Lester Young, the "Prez." Rising to fame with Count Basie's ensemble and later associating himself with the great Billie Holiday, he not only laid down the basic tenets of his instrument, but also embodied the "cool" jazz persona that influences musicians to this day. Linde & Co. will pay tribute to this master. 8 p.m. Call 202-299-0800 for cover information.
>> The Bossa Bistro & Lounge hosts two great bands on Thursday night. Baltimore's electro-funk outfit Basshound will lay their grooves downstairs. Upstairs, Unbuckled 7 alum Matt Grason leads House of Soul, which plays jazz infused deep house with live instruments. The band will include guest vocalist Niki Lagos, guitarist Matt Balestino, and Three Stars alum Charles Ostle. DJ Navbox, voted the city's best DJ in the City Paper's "Best of 2009" will spin between sets and do a live mix of the band while it plays. 10 p.m. $3
>> Drummer and Northern VA native Cameron Outlaw has been tearing up the scene up and down the East Coast, having performed with the finest in New York and Boston, where he attended the Berklee College of Music. He teamed up with some of his classmates at Berklee to form The Outlaw Collective, which will be performing tonight at Twins Jazz. Call 202-234-0072 for set time and cover information.
>> A protégé of the great Miles Davis trumpeter and Howard University alum Wallace Roney has lent his talent to many a world class artist, ranging from Art Blakey to Joni Mitchell to Me'shell N'degeocello, and has also made a name as a band leader. He sets up shop Thursday through Sunday at Bohemian Caverns, where he will be playing along side his saxophonist brother, Antoine, bassist Rashaan Carter, and drummer Kush Abadey, the 17-year old son of local mainstay, Nasar Abadey. Tickets to the 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets are $25.
>> The John Surman Quartet will be playing 8 and 10 p.m. sets Thursday through Saturday at Blues Alley. The performances will feature an all-star band comprised of bassist Drew Gress, guitarist John Abercrombie, and legendary drummer Jack DeJohnette. We'll have a full preview tomorrow. Tickets are $35 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Brad Linde returns on Thursday to team up with increasingly visible local guitarist Rodney Richardson to lead a quartet at Twins Jazz. Call 202-234-0072 for set time and cover information.
>> The late Lady Byron was a local institution for over 50 years. Jazz Night in Southwest hosts a tribute to the late vocalist and pianist on Friday. 6 to 9 p.m. $5
>> Twins Jazz hosts Three Stars alum and DCist fave Thad Wilson on Friday and Saturday for 9 and 11 p.m. sets. Tickets are $15.
>> This weekend, HR-57 hosts regulars Antonio Parker (Friday) and Michael Price (Saturday). 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $12
>> Monster drummer Mark Prince, a 1995 graduate of Howard University, has established a reputation for combining blazing technique with an impeccable sense of groove. He has lent his talents to Andy Milne's Dapp Theory, Broadway star Jennifer Holliday, and numerous Latin artists between D.C. and New York. Prince will be leading his own group on Sunday at Blues Alley, where they will be celebrating the release of his latest album, Fraction of Infinity. Tickets are $18 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> The Cachaça Latin Jazz Trio plays an understated brand of Latin jazz that fuses bossa nova with various South American folk music traditions. The group will be performing on Sunday at Twins Jazz. Call 202-234-0072 for set time and cover information.
>> Blue Monday Blues, the blues counterpart to Jazz Night in Southwest, hosts local blues/roots mainstays,The Nighthawks next week. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. $5