This Week in Jazz
Kurt Rosenwinkel
>> Three Stars alum John Lee brings his fusion quartet, the John Lee Experience, to Utopia tonight, as well as the next two Wednesdays. 9 p.m., no cover.
>> A native of D.C. now based in New York, vocalist Michelle Walker brings her blend of jazz and soul to Blues Alley tonight for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets are $25 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Once considered a young lion, but now an established force in jazz, trumpeter Roy Hargrove begins a four night stand at Blues Alley on Thursday. Tickets to the nightly 8 and 10 p.m. sets are $35 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Drummer and local mainstay Nasar Abadey leads a group of D.C. regulars this Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. $5
>> Kenny Barron is unquestionably one of the finest jazz pianists working today. For 50 years, he has been playing with the best in jazz, and has always groomed young talent as a bandleader. Catch him on Friday at the Kennedy Center, where he will be playing in the Terrace Theater. Tickets to the 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets are $30.
>> The Airmen of Note, the U.S. Air Force's premiere jazz ensemble, continues its Jazz Heritage Series this Friday at the Lisner Auditorium. The featured soloist for the evening is monster B3 organist Joey DeFrancesco. 8 p.m. Free
>> A part of the New Orleans jazz revival lead by Wynton Marsalis in the 1980s, saxophonist Donald Harrison has been dubbed the "King of Nouveau Swing." He can even boast an appearance in an Oscar nominated movie with his cameo in Rachel Getting Married. Harrison will appear this Friday and Saturday at Bohemian Caverns. Tickets to the 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets are $20.
>> Though under appreciated, New York based altoist Jim Snidero has quietly carved himself a career that stretches across 25 years. He'll be at Twins Jazz this weekend along with some fantastic local musicians, pianist Bob Butta and bassist Amy Shook. Tickets to the 9:30 and 11:30 p.m. sets are $15.
>> The All Souls Church, Unitarian, will pay tribute to the Crescent City on Sunday with the All Souls New Orleans Jazz Fest. The concert feature clarinet virtuoso Evan Christopher and master N'awlins drummer Shannon Powell. 6 p.m., with a reception to follow. $10-$20
>> Sitarist Alif Laila will perform on Sunday at the 14th Street Busboys & Poets, in commemoration of Mahatma Gandhi's birthday. RSVP is required for the 6:30 p.m. show. E-mail RSVP(at)dakshina[dot]org for more information.
>> Let's face it, Garaj Mahal is just an awesome band name. If that's not enough to make you go see them, consider that the last time they came to Blues Alley, they delivered a blistering set of in-your-face fusion. The quartet will be playing 8 and 10 p.m. sets at the club next Monday. Tickets are $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> San Francisco based trio The Hip Bones combine spirited original material with creative arrangements of popular songs, borrowing from funk, dub, and a variety of other styles. They'll be playing Twins Jazz next Tuesday along with special guests. Call 202-234-0072 for set time and cover information.
>> Kurt Rosenwinkel is universally acknowledged as one of the finest jazz guitarists of his generation. A technical wiz and lyrical composer, his music is consistently at the forefront of contemporary jazz. Rosenwinkel will lead a group through 8 and 10 p.m. sets next Tuesday at Blues Alley. Tickets are $25 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> If there weren't already enough choices on Tuesday, Wammy winning Three Stars alum Christylez will bring his jazz influenced progressive hip-hop to the Bossa Bistro & Lounge next Tuesday. 8 p.m. Call 202-667-0088 for cover information.