NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Heath celebrates his 90th birthday with an all-star jam on Sunday at the Kennedy Center.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26
Pianist Michael Price plays Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Roy Hargrove is rightfully regarded as one of the finest trumpeters of his generation. He continues a week-long residency at Blues Alley that concludes on Sunday. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $40-$45 plus minimum and surcharge.
Guitarist Nelson Dougherty plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. He will team up with saxophonist Andrew Frankhouse to present the music of drummer and bandleader Paul Motian. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27
Roy Assaf got his break touring the world with the Dizzy Gillespie All Stars. For the past two years, the pianist has focused on leading his own band, a trio with bassist Raviv Markovitz, and drummer Jake Goldbas. The critically acclaimed band will play the Mansion at Strathmore. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $30.
The Latin Grammy nominated Afro Bop Alliance will be at Twins Jazz for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
Brazilian vocalist Cissa Paz will be at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge for her monthly appearance. 10 p.m. $10 at the door.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28
Jazz Night in Southwest has assembled an ensemble of area veterans to pay tribute to the late, great pianist and composer Horace Silver. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Hiroshima, the long-running contemporary jazz outfit, returns to The Birchmere. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $45.
Area vocalist Aaron Myers plays Mr. Henry’s. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
When we first profiled The Flail, way back in 2008, we wrote of how rare it was to have actual jazz bands in today’s world. Now eight years later, the group is still going strong, making it even more of a rarity. The Flail returns to D.C. on Friday and Saturday for performances at Twins Jazz. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
Cécile McLorin Salvant plays the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club this weekend.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29
Jazz Night in Southwest continues its Horace Silver celebration with a lecture and discussion of the pianist’s work by saxophonist Herb Smith. 1 to 3 p.m. Free.
Drummer Albert “Tootie” Heath will be on hand at the Kennedy Center to celebrate his brother Jimmy’s 90th birthday on Sunday, but on this night he will be part of a one-of-a-kind collaboration with three great jazz drummers—Louis Hayes, Sylvia Cuenca, and Joe Saylor—for a performance featuring four drum sets and no other instrumentation. 7 and 9 p.m. sets. Tickets $39-$45.
Cécile McLorin Salvant‘s career has skyrocketed over the past couple years. She first won the prestigious Monk Competition for jazz vocalists and then was awarded the Best Jazz Album Grammy award for her 2015 release, For One To Love. McLorin Salvant plays the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club on Saturday and Sunday. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $45-$60 plus minimum and surcharge.
Thomas Helton is a composer and bassist who writes for solo and ensemble performance. He teams up with Baltimore-based pedal steel guitarist Susan Alcorn at Rhizome. Ghost in Salad and Jim Strong are also on the bill. 8 p.m. $10 suggested donation.
Vocalist Renee Georges leads a band at Mr. Henry’s. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30
Hammond B3 organist Jim West plays Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Heath celebrated his 90th birthday yesterday, and the Kennedy Center will host a bash to honor the legendary saxophonist. The stellar lineup not only includes Heath’s big band, but also saxophonist Sharel Cassity, pianist Stanley Cowell, saxophonist Antonio Hart, Heath’s brother and drummer Albert “Tootie” Heath, bassist John Lee, guitarist Tony Purrone, and fellow NEA Jazz Master and 2013 Kennedy Center Honoree Herbie Hancock. Dr. Cornel West will also be on hand to deliver some remarks. The tribute takes place at 8 p.m. Tickets $20-$55.
Area vocalist Abby Schaffer plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 31
The Sandcatchers formed in Brooklyn and combine the sinuous sounds of the Middle East with those of Appalachia. The group will be at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. Also on the bill is a duo comprised of Seth Kibel and Tom Teasley, two wildly talented multi-instrumentalists who will perform the world premiere of their new project, Desert Echoes. 7:30 p.m. $8 at the door.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1
Vocalist Yvette Spears brings her mix of jazz, blues, and gospel to Blues Alley. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $20 plus minimum and surcharge.
