Like this nation of immigrants whose disparate cultures converge to create something new, jazz also constantly evolves, in part by the infusion of hitherto unrelated styles of music. Latin jazz is a prime example of this musical melting pot, beginning with Dizzy Gillespie's seminal collaborations with percussionist Chano Pozo and trumpeter Mario Bauza in the 1940s. But while this fusion tends to be with world music that has a more broad appeal, a recent trend has seen jazz musicians delving into the world's folk traditions, in an attempt to blend the sophistication of modern jazz with a more organic sensibility. more ›

Heeb Magazine for the fourth year in a row put together their Heeb 100 list, which debuted in the fall. It's the top 100 young Jews to keep an eye out for (according to the magazine, anyway), and five Washingtonians are on the list. A new portrait exhibition of those up-and-comers will debut in D.C. tonight at the Sixth and I Historic Synagogue, with a reception from 7-9 p.m. featuring some of the honorees. Plus free knishes & ruggelach! more ›

Celebrating the Jewish holiday of Shavuot is pretty much the equivalent of a collegiate all-nighter. The religious festival commemorates the delivery of the Torah to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai. One associated tradition includes eating dairy foods—the Jews were just sorting out the complicated kosher meat laws—so bring on the cheesecake! A second tradition is also, naturally, food related. Originally a grain harvest festival, it was customary to offer, or now to eat, the seven species mentioned in the Torah and native to Israel. Included are honey, barley, and grapevines. The whole food pyramid thing hadn’t really been sorted out yet either. Yet a third tradition provides for staying up all night studying Torah. more ›