Sam Prather and his Groove Orchestra will preview material from a forthcoming album on Thursday at The Howard Theatre.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2
Vocalist Tarea Anderson plays Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Steel pannist Victor Provost totally confounds expectations of what his instrument is capable of in a jazz setting. Provost has just released a new album, Bright Eyes, and will play songs from the album as he leads a band tonight at the Hill Center. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $15-$20.
Pianist Joe Vetter plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3
Sam Prather is an in-demand composer and multi-instrumentalist who, for the past several years, has been leading his own band, the Groove Orchestra. His genre-defying compositions draw heavily from jazz, the neo-soul of the 1990s, and a number of other musical strains within the African diaspora. Joining Prather at The Howard Theatre will be a band of local all-stars, including vocalist Akua Allrich, bassist Kris Funn, trumpeter Joe Herrera, saxophonist Elijah Balbed, and others. The band will be playing material from Groove Orchestra’s 2014 release and will also preview compositions that will appear on a forthcoming album. 8 p.m. Tickets $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
Smooth jazz guitarist/vocalist Jonathan Butler comes to Blues Alley on Thursday to start a four night run of 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $50-$55, plus minimum and surcharge.
The Twins Jazz Orchestra continues its bi-weekly residency at the club. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
The Feedel Band combines jazz, funk, and traditional Ethiopian music to create a truly groovy sound. They play the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. 9:30 p.m. $10 at the door. Girma Beyene, one of the most influential arrangers of Ethiopian music, will be a featured guest.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4
Veteran local pianist Terry Marshall will celebrate the release of his new album, Arrival, at Jazz Night in Southwest. His ensemble is comprised of excellent area veterans. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
NEA Jazz Master Sheila Jordan is one of those vocalists a la Betty Carter who approaches the music with an instrumentalist’s sensibility, creating lines with the dexterity of a horn player. She will play 7 and 9 p.m. sets at the Kennedy Center along with Alan Broadbent on piano and Harvie S on bass. Tickets $26-$39.
Madeleine Peyroux’s earthy and understated vocal style is a vehicle for interpreting a wide range of material, from traditional blues to torch song to the Great American Songbook. She will likely display all of these influences at The Howard Theatre during her 8 p.m. set. Tickets $48.50-$68.50.
Dial 251 for Jazz plays Mr. Henry’s. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
Chaise Lounge performs a style of sophisticated yet easy going jazz that was epitomized by releases on Capitol Records in the early ’60s, and which was commonly heard in coffee shops on every college campus before social upheaval changed things. The band plays an 8 p.m. show at The Carlyle Club. Tickets $20 plus minimum and surcharge.
Larry Brown has been among the area’s most respected pianists for decades. His critically-acclaimed quintet will be at Twins Jazz on Friday and Saturday. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
Cuban percussionist and vocalist Pedrito Martinez leads a band on Saturday at the Kennedy Center.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5
Vocalist, percussionist, and Cuba native Pedrito Martinez has a deep knowledge of Afro-Cuban folkloric music. His dynamism will be on full display as he leads a band on Saturday at the Kennedy Center. 7 and 9 p.m. sets. Tickets $36-$39.
Joe Lovano is one of the finest saxophonists of his generation while Chucho Valdes is a giant of Afro-Cuban jazz. The two masters have joined forces and will be co-leading a quintet featuring a stellar Cuban rhythm section at Sixth & I Synagogue. 8 p.m. Tickets $55.
Vocalist Coniece Washington plays Mr. Henry’s. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
Jojo’s on U Street is becoming a go-to spot for straight-ahead jazz, featuring bands led by saxophonist Tedd Baker (Tuesdays), trumpeter Joe Brotherton (Wednesdays), and saxophonist Marshall Keys (Thursdays). The venue will now host a jazz band on Saturdays with trombonist Reginald Cyntje and saxophonist Brian Settles as co-leaders. 9:30 to 1 a.m. No cover.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6
The Firm Roots Organ Trio plays Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Jarrett Cherner is currently touring in support of his new album, Expanding Heart. The critically-acclaimed pianist will bring his group to Twins Jazz on Sunday for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
Subcontinental Groove is a collaboration among veteran local musicians of South Asian descent. The group will play an all-improvised set on Sunday at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. 8:30 p.m. No cover.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7
The Piano Jazz series continues at The Arts Club of Washington with an intimate solo performance from Mark G. Meadows, an area pianist whose profile has been steadily on the rise. 7 p.m. Tickets $30, $15 for students.
Larry Carlton started is career at the dawn of the fusion era. He went on to greater commercial success as a crossover artist and has composed a number of memorable TV and film scores, notably the theme to Hill Street Blues. The celebrated guitarist pays a visit to the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $35 plus minimum and surcharge.
Spike Wilner is one of the house musicians at Smalls in New York City. He’ll make the trip down I-95 for 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. Wilner will be playing selections from his new album. Tickets $20 plus minimum and surcharge.
