Dana Leong (second from left) w/ Milk & Jade

We first came across Dana Leong at opening night of last year’s Duke Ellington Jazz Festival, an annual event currently running at venues throughout the city. He came to town again in the spring, performing as part of National Geographic’s free concert series.

That show featured his own band, Milk & Jade, which was performing after having completed an international tour as cultural ambassadors on behalf of the State Department. The concert was also a look at what lies in store in the world of jazz. Here was a group of highly skilled musicians who not only saw no boundaries in music, but were also fluent in all the styles they explored, ranging from jazz, to classical, to beat-laden hip-hop. Leong & Co. will bring their exciting sound to the District tonight and tomorrow for two performances at Duke Fest.

“We bring a wide variety of elements but compress them into a tight show,” Leong said of his band. “It’s exciting, beat driven, and really electrified music.”