Grammy winner and D.C. native, Ben Williams, celebrates his 30th birthday this weekend at Bohemian Caverns. Ed. note: This Week in Jazz is taking New Year’s Eve off and will return on January 7. Here are the highlights for the next two weeks.
>> For the 16th year in a row, some of the area’s best musicians convene on the Millennium Stage on Christmas Day to present the best in D.C. jazz. Drummer Lenny Robinson, trumpeter Tom Williams, bassist James King, and vocalist Delores Williams join host/vibraphonist Chuck Redd. 6 p.m. Free.
>> Jazz Night in Southwest presents rising multi-instrumentalist Warren Wolf this Friday. Baltimore jazz legend Arnold Sterling will perform there on January 2. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> Talented young guitarist Max Light leads his band at Twins Jazz on Friday and Saturday. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Ben Williams is bassist and D.C. native whose career has exploded over the past five years. He won the 2009 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Bass Competition and released his first album, State of Art, in 2011. Along with the rest of the Pat Metheny Unity Band, he won the Grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental Album of 2012. Williams then was awarded the 2013 DownBeat Magazine Critics Poll award for rising bassist. Williams, who is now based out of New York, returns to celebrate his 30th birthday at Bohemian Caverns on Friday and Saturday. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $20 in advance/$25 at the door.
>> Legendary pianist Monty Alexander comes to Blues Alley on Friday to begin a six night run of 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $50 plus minimum and surcharge. New Year’s Eve tickets include packages from $110 to $150.
>> Chuck Brown may have left us, but his music lives on. His long time collaborators gather from time to time as the Chuck Brown Band, and they’ll be playing the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club on Saturday. 8 p.m. Tickets $25 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Over its thirty year history, the Rebirth Brass Band has become a fixture in New Orleans and personifies its rich musical heritage. The legendary second line band will be at The Howard Theatre on Saturday. 8 p.m. doors. Tickets $30 in advance/$35 at the door.
>> The Bossa Bistro & Lounge hosts a hybrid jazz-electronic group on Sunday. The band is comprised of members of MAST on Alpha Pup Records and bassist Jason Fraticelli’s project Fresh Cut Orchestra consisting of Trumpeter Josh Lawrence (University of the Arts and Drexel University), Anwar Marshall (drummer currently touring with Dave Douglas), and Tim Conley on guitar, electronics, and keyboard. 9 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> Next Tuesday, saxophonist Tedd Baker concludes an excellent run as December’s Artist-in-Residence at Bohemian Caverns. 7:30 and 9 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 in advance/$15 at the door.
>> There will be events running all night long on New Year’s Eve in the three levels of the building that houses Bohemian Caverns. Things will kick off with an early 7 p.m. set from violinist Chelsey Green, who blends jazz with R&B and soul. Tickets $25 in advance/$30 at the door.
>> NEA Jazz Master Branford Marsalis plays two New Year’s Eve sets at the Kennedy Center, but unfortunately they’re both sold out. Contact the box office for last minute availability.
>> Larry Willis has played on over 300 recordings during a career that spans over 50 years. Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey and Shirley Horn are just a few of the jazz icons who have called on his talents. Willis will be playing Twins Jazz on New Year’s Eve. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The $85 tickets include a three-course meal, a bottle of champagne and party favors. Willis will return to the club on January 2 and 3 for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Apparently in Brazil, it’s tradition to dress in white on New Year’s Eve to bring in peace and blessings for the upcoming year. Brazilian vocalist Cissa Paz will be at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge to ring in 2015 with a dress in white party. 7:30 p.m. dance class followed by music at 10:30. Tickets $10.
>> Doc Scantlin and His Imperial Palms Orchestra will bring the classic big band elegance of the ’20s, ’30s and ’40s to the Carlyle Club on New Year’s Eve. The cover ($220 plus tax and gratuity) includes a five-course meal, champagne toast at midnight and, of course, dancing.
>> Mike Stern is a revered guitarist, and Dennis Chambers is an equally esteemed drummer. The two have been collaborating on and off for over 20 years, and the two will co-lead a quartet on Sunday, January 4, at Blues Alley. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $40 plus minimum and surcharge.
