This Week in Jazz
Cedar Walton
>> Guitarist and smooth jazz star Earl Klugh begins a four night stand at Blues Alley this evening. Tickets to the nightly 8 and 10 p.m. sets are $43 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Just out of high school, saxophonist Braxton Cook is already making a name for himself on the local scene. He'll be leading his group tonight at Twins Jazz. Call 202-234-0072 for set time and cover information.
>> Vocalist L’Tanya Mari’, a graduate of Howard University, performs regularly throughout the D.C. area and in her native Philadelphia. She will take the stage on Thursday in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Kogod Courtyard, as part of the museum's monthly Take Five! jazz series. 5 to 8 p.m. Free
>> Henry Butler, an eight-time W.C. Handy Award nominee, is a New Orleans piano legend. On Thursday, he will perform at Madam's Organ to benefit the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu is also scheduled to make an appearance. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $125 for a pair, $75 for a single.
>> Tatsuya Nakatani has developed an expressive and entirely original brand of solo percussion performance. He'll be playing upstairs at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge on Thursday along with the sax/drums duo of Aaron Martin and Sam Lohman. 8 p.m. Call 202-667-0088 for set time and cover information.
>> Puzzlebox, an octet under the direction of bassist/composer Keith DeStefano is a band that is starting to get regional exposure for its modern sound that blends third stream jazz, with more progressive elements. The band will be at Twins Jazz on Thursday. Call 202-234-0072 for set time and cover information.
>> On Friday, Jazz Night in Southwest presents a group of local musicians who perform regularly at Adams Morgan's Columbia Station. The band, under the direction of pianist Peter Edelman, also features the eccentric bassist Butch Warren, a veteran of many classic Blue Note recordings from the 60s. 6 to 9 p.m. $5
>> Masters of seemingly disparate disciplines come together on Friday at the Music Center at Strathmore, as Latin jazz master Paquito D'Rivera, the inventive Turtle Island String Quartet, and the Luna Negra Dance Theater team up for a program titled Danzón. Tickets to the 8 p.m. show are $27 to $67.
>> David Gibson is being praised as a fresh trombone voice on the crowded New York scene, earning praise from the likes of Slide Hampton and Curtis Fuller, and a spot in the Dizzy Gillespie Alumni Band. He will play 9 and 11 p.m. sets on Friday and Saturday with his own group at Twins Jazz. Tickets are $15 + $12 minimum/surcharge.
>> For decades, legendary drummer Art Blakey used his Jazz Messengers to provide a platform for dozens of musicians who would become jazz stars in their own right. Cedar Walton has been known ever since he spent 3 years as Blakey's music director in the mid-60s, contributing the standards "Bolivia" and "Ugetsu" to the standard jazz repertoire. Javon Jackson has spent 20 years touring and recording with many a jazz great appearing on over 100 albums, and also releasing eight critically acclaimed albums as a leader. On Friday and Saturday, these two Blakey alums team up for 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets at Bohemian Caverns. Tickets are $30.
>> With hits like "Pick Up the Pieces," the Average White Band were pioneers in the funk-jazz sound of the 1970s. The lineup has changed considerably, but the revamped group will be at the Birchmere on Friday and Saturday playing 7:30 p.m. shows. Tickets are $35 + fees.
Chaise Lounge, photo by Elliot Berlin
>> Trumpeter Maurice Brown and pianist Shelly Berg are in town this weekend at the Kennedy Center's KC Jazz Club. Tickets are sold out, but it's worth contacting the box office for last minute cancellations.
>> A few weeks ago, Bio Ritmo and D.C.'s own Funk Ark teamed up for a performance at Rock and Roll Hotel in which dozens of people were turned away at the door. They'll be back at the club on Saturday, along with Dende & Hahahaes. 8:30 doors. $12
>> Swing Shift, a 17-piece big band comprised of entirely local talent takes to the stage at Blues Alley on Sunday with 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets are $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> In addition to being a sensational drummer, Sherrie Miracle is a pioneering band leader, serving as Director of Education for Carnegie Hall's New York Pops, leading the DIVA Jazz Orchestra, and her quintet, Five Play. She will be at Blues Alley on Monday, leading her DIVA trio through 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets are $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Chaise Lounge is a local ensemble that specializes in the lounge jazz sound that was popular on college campuses in the early 60s. On Sunday, the group will team up with the Capital City Symphony at the Atlas Performing Arts Center for a program of standards, along with original material by Chaise Lounge leader, Charlie Barnett. Tickets to the 5 p.m. show are $16-$25.
>> Allison Miller, a world class drummer and area native whose credits include Ani DiFranco and Natalie Merchant, is touring the East Coast in support of her latest jazz release, Boom Tic Boom. She will lead a quartet on Sunday at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. Stay tuned for a full preview. 8 p.m. Call 202-667-0088 for cover information.
>> Blue Monday Blues presents guitarist C.W. Harrington's Blues Messengers. 6 to 9 p.m. $5
>> Local music photographer Erika Horn is celebrating her endeavor, Cozmik Photography, on Tuesday at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. Helping in the festivities will be House of Soul, under the direction of local bassist Matt Grason. 8 to 11 p.m. $3