The Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra, pictured playing at the now defunct club earlier this year, will play a holiday program on Sunday at the Atlas. Photo by Sriram Gopal.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30
“The Karma Suite” is saxophonist Elijah Balbed‘s musical meditation on social justice. He will present the piece as part of a quartet that includes pianist Mark Meadows at Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Boubacar Traoré said Kar Kar was one of West Africa’s most popular musicians in the ’60s and his music was rediscovered decades later, leading to tours across Europe and North America. The music he plays has roots in his native Mali and serves as part of the foundation for what became American blues. The soulful vocalist/guitarist plays The Hamilton. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $15-$25.
Mosché Band brings its jazz-funk groove to the Bossa Bistro & Lounge for a 9:30 p.m. set. $5 at the door.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1
Trumpeter Lin Rountree and singer Debórah Bond are just half of Jazz & Soul, the smooth jazz supergroup that will play the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. 8 p.m. Tickets $30 plus minimum and surcharge.
Busy area saxophonist Bobby Muncy leads one of his several groups at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
Eldar is not yet 30-years old, but was hailed a genius piano player by none other than the late, great jazz icon, Dave Brubeck. His trio constantly seeks new ground and takes his original work and jazz classics in unexpected directions. The band will be at the Atlas for an 8 p.m. show. Tickets $20-$28.
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.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2
Hammond organist Jackie Hairston leads a quintet in tribute to the great soul singer, Otis Redding, at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
The Harry Bells, the island-inspired, horn-driven ensemble under the direction of saxophonist Matt Rippetoe, will be the featured entertainment at Columbia Heights Night. The event, which takes place at All Souls Church, Unitarian, features dancing, cocktails, and a silent auction. 7 p.m. to midnight. Tickets $75.
Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah has developed an approach to jazz that he’s dubbed “stretch music.” The concept is to stretch the notion of jazz such that it encompasses multiple genres and styles with a focus on those that come out of the African diaspora. The trumpeter will bring his ensemble to The Clarice on the University of Maryland campus. 7 and 9 p.m. sets. Tickets $10-$25.
Dial 251 for Jazz plays Mr. Henry’s. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
After stints with Quincy Jones, Ramsey Lewis, Earth, Wind & Fire and his brother, Hubert Laws, saxophonist Ronnie Laws pioneered the mix of R&B and jazz that was eventually dubbed smooth jazz. His ensemble plays an 8 p.m. set at The Howard Theatre. Tickets $40-$60.
Sonic Circuits presents a triple bill of experimental music at Rhizome. The show features Makoto Kawabata+Tatsuya Nakatani, Rick Parker and Li Daiguo, and Halo Valley. 8 p.m. $10 at the door.
Tim Whalen has emerged as one of the D.C. area’s most distinctive pianists. Equally respected for his composing and arranging as he is for his improvising, Whalen’s septet is sure to create some intriguing sounds on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
Bassist Herman Burney leads a group on Sunday at Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3
If you miss The Harry Bells at Columbia Heights Night, they’ll also give a free 6 p.m. performance the following day on the Millennium Stage.
CapitalBop‘s Traveling Loft series makes a stop at Tropicalia. Experimental percussionist Kahil El’Zabar will headline, leading his Ritual Trio, which features avant-garde saxophonist David Murray and bassist Harrison Bankhead. D.C.’s own Brian Settles will open with a solo saxophone set. 6:30 p.m. Tickets $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
Chopteeth‘s blend of jazz, afrobeat, and funk have made the band an area mainstay for over a decade. The group will perform at AMP on Saturday. 8 p.m. Tickets $20-$30.
Vocalist Tacha Coleman Parr plays Mr. Henry’s. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4
Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue is one of the first successful blends of classical and jazz forms. The Georgetown University Orchestra will perform this piece along with orchestral excerpts from West Side Story on Sunday at the university’s Gaston Hall. Local pianist and concert promoter Burnett Thompson will be the featured soloist. 3 p.m. Free.
Herman Burney is one of this area’s premiere bassists. He steps out as a bandleader, something that doesn’t happen that often, at Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
The local jazz community still hasn’t gotten over the closing of Bohemian Caverns back in March, one of many low points that occurred in 2016. Thankfully, the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra, whose Monday night residency at the historic club was must for any local music fan, continues to perform occasionally. The band’s annual holiday performances were a highlight of the jazz calendar and they group will reconvene at the Atlas to play classics by Stan Kenton, Claude Thornhill, and the entire Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn adaptation of the The Nutcracker Suite. 5 and 7:30 p.m. sets. Tickets $20-$28.
Veronneau, the 2013 WAMMY winners for Best Jazz Group, moves effortlessly from samba to gypsy jazz. The group is built around the vocalist Lynn Veronneau, whose dexterity allows her to sound authentic in a number of styles. Veronneau plays a free show at the Millennium Stage. 6 p.m.
Kino Musica‘s bandleaders are of East African descent, employing melodies from the Horn of Africa as a starting point while incorporating influences from the Caribbean and beyond. They will perform a 9:30 p.m. set at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. 9:30 p.m. $10 at the door.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 5
The Clarice hosts University of Maryland’s annual Winter Big Band Showcase, with all of the school’s large jazz ensembles playing under the direction of Chris Vadala. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $10-$25.
George Winston‘s solo piano recordings evoke this country’s timeless landscapes and the melodies he’s recorded have pushed millions of album sales. Winston will give a solo performance at The Birchmere. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $39.50.
