Wallace Roney>> At just 28-years old, saxophonist Benny Reid is a musician of considerable talent, but also someone who has not received as broad recognition as he deserves. The highly melodic composer and improviser will be playing tonight at Blues Alley in support of his forthcoming release, Escaping Shadows, an upbeat departure from his last release, which was a loving tribute to his late sister. Tickets to the 8 and 10 p.m. sets are $25 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Three Stars alum Brad Linde leads his nonet through a special performance tonight at Bohemian Caverns. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of tenor saxophonist Lester Young, the “Prez.” Rising to fame with Count Basie’s ensemble and later associating himself with the great Billie Holiday, he not only laid down the basic tenets of his instrument, but also embodied the “cool” jazz persona that influences musicians to this day. Linde & Co. will pay tribute to this master. 8 p.m. Call 202-299-0800 for cover information.
>> The Bossa Bistro & Lounge hosts two great bands on Thursday night. Baltimore’s electro-funk outfit Basshound will lay their grooves downstairs. Upstairs, Unbuckled 7 alum Matt Grason leads House of Soul, which plays jazz infused deep house with live instruments. The band will include guest vocalist Niki Lagos, guitarist Matt Balestino, and Three Stars alum Charles Ostle. DJ Navbox, voted the city’s best DJ in the City Paper’s “Best of 2009” will spin between sets and do a live mix of the band while it plays. 10 p.m. $3
>> Drummer and Northern VA native Cameron Outlaw has been tearing up the scene up and down the East Coast, having performed with the finest in New York and Boston, where he attended the Berklee College of Music. He teamed up with some of his classmates at Berklee to form The Outlaw Collective, which will be performing tonight at Twins Jazz. Call 202-234-0072 for set time and cover information.
>> A protégé of the great Miles Davis trumpeter and Howard University alum Wallace Roney has lent his talent to many a world class artist, ranging from Art Blakey to Joni Mitchell to Me’shell N’degeocello, and has also made a name as a band leader. He sets up shop Thursday through Sunday at Bohemian Caverns, where he will be playing along side his saxophonist brother, Antoine, bassist Rashaan Carter, and drummer Kush Abadey, the 17-year old son of local mainstay, Nasar Abadey. Tickets to the 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets are $25.
