In this installment of the Weekly Music Agenda, a local non-profit celebrates local female musicians, one of the country's most well-known DJs stops by Fur and Comet Ping Pong makes Monday and Tuesday fun again. more ›

Superlatives run free when describing Herbie Hancock's nearly 50 years on the music scene. A consummate artist, he has been a pioneer throughout his career, breaking ground in genres ranging from straight-ahead jazz to electronic music. Despite his status as a jazz legend, it was still somewhat of a shock to all when his latest album, River: The Joni Letters, won 2008's Grammy for Album of the Year, beating out the likes of Kanye West. The album, a warm tribute to another artistic treasure, Joni Mitchell, features a selection of her songs, some done as instrumentals, and others featuring the vocal talents of Tina Turner, Corinne Bailey Rae, Norah Jones, and Mitchell herself. This new material is what separated Monday night's performance at Wolf Trap from last year's stellar show at the Birchmere, as Hancock & Co. delivered a performance that proved a jazz musician need not sacrifice integrity or artistry by choosing to play commercial music. more ›

Yes, the tickets were expensive as hell and yes, the venue is not the most convenient in the world, but it's Herbie Hancock for cryin' out loud. They came, they saw, they killed. Those who made the effort to head over to The Birchmere on Sunday night got their $75 worth and then some as the the jazz icon, along with his most recent band, took the audience on a journey around the world and... more ›

FRIDAY: >> We will be hard pressed to find a better drinking buddy this Friday night than Freddy Noe, son of Booker Noe and great-grandson of Col. James B. Beam. For those not in the "Noe," this is the family that gave us Jim Beam. Whiskey fans can pay homage to Freddy, Master Distiller Emeritus and Jim Beam brand ambassador (uh, where can we apply for that job?), from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on... more ›

Well, we've definitely reached the doldrums of August, so things have slowed down quite a bit in Jazz Land. Nonetheless, there's still some interesting stuff to check out this week. >> Tonight, catch the Afro Bop Alliance, a Latin jazz ensemble based out of Annapolis, as they pay a visit to the Millennium Stage. The free show begins at 6 p.m. >> Also tonight, 17-year old Elijah Balbed takes the stage at Twins Jazz with... more ›

>> Our first item this week has absolutely nothing to do with jazz but it's just too noteworthy not to mention. This week, The Millennium Stage hosts the 2007 Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Championships. Tonight through Sunday, each free 6 p.m. concert will showcase a different internationally renowned accordion ensemble. Admit it, you're curious. >> As we told you yesterday, trumpeter Terence Blanchard will be celebrating the release of his new album with a four... more ›

Monday >> Canada’s post-punk four piece Uncut just released their latest album Modern Currencies in the U.S. on July 17th and will be at DC9 tonight with special guest Patrick Krief of The Dears. Just like their name says, they are raw: loud, bold, and off the wall. Check out the stopmotion animated video for their recent single, "Darkhorse" which includes a fire bombing Ronald McDonald and an army of pissed off Care Bears. 8p.m.,... more ›

>> This week's big event is, of course, the 15th Annual Capital Jazz Fest at Merriweather Post Pavilion, which begins today and runs through Sunday. As is the norm for this event, the lineup is heavy on the smooth jazz and R&B tip, but it also incorporates some more challenging artists. Highlights include Herbie Hancock, Anita Baker, Al Jarreau, Ramsey Lewis, and David Sanborn. Visit the event's web site for the full schedule, and tickets... more ›

Happy Passover! This week’s theme: Legends. Not the Sasquatch/Grendel folk duo you've heard so much about, but living giants of their genre, era, or both. Several artists who have reached mythic status in popular culture are popping ‘round to say hello this week. Monday One of the best things about D.C. living is all the stuff there is to do for free. Tonight, the Kennedy Center offers some quality gratis jazz, presenting trumpeter Shunzu Ohno.... more ›