The Funk Ark plays its final show on Thursday at Gypsy Sally’s.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21
The Saltman-Knowles Quartet plays Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society from 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
We make no secret of the fact that Cassandra Wilson is an absolute favorite here at DCist’s jazz department. The celebrated vocalists brings her impeccable technique and earthy soul to the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club for a holiday performance. 7 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $49.50 plus minimum and surcharge.
The Capitol Bones, a local all-brass big band that features a number of current and former service band members, plays its annual holiday show at The Carlyle Club. The ensemble will play Stan Kenton’s arrangements of seasonal favorites with guest vocalist Lena Seikaly. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $25 plus minimum and surcharge.
Saxophonist Merlon Devine plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. Tickets $20 plus minimum and surcharge.
Tonight at Twins Jazz, New York City trumpeter Carol Morgan will lead two piano-less quartets featuring local baritone saxophonists Leigh Pilzer and Brad Linde. The 8 p.m. set will feature swinging standards and originals with the Leigh Pilzer Quartet and the second set includes deconstructed holiday favorites and standards with GINGERBRED. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
Tim Conley’s MAST is a blend of electronic music, jazz, and hip-hop that has come to the forefront in jazz hubs like New York. MAST headlines a triple bill at Songbyrd that includes projects from guitarist Anthony Pirog and percussionist Ian McColm. 8:30 p.m. Tickets $10 at the door.
Tongue in Cheek specializes in discovering old songs from the days of Tin Pan Alley through the days of Hot Club de France and arranging them in a way that is highly influenced by the New Orleans jazz tradition. The band plays the Bossa Bistro & Lounge at 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22
Vocalist Jane Monheit brings her classic sound to Blues Alley on Thursday and Friday to perform holiday classics. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $40-$45.
Area saxophonist Bobby Muncy leads a band at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
Ben Williams is a 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 was then awarded the 2013 DownBeat Magazine Critics Poll award for rising bassist. Williams, who is now based out of New York, returns to the District to perform an 8 p.m. holiday show at The Hamilton. Tickets $20-$45.
Keyboardist Will Rast assembled The Funk Ark nearly a decade ago, bringing together the area’s finest musicians to play music that drew from jazz, afrobeat, and classic funk. Long time bandmembers include saxophonist Matt Rippetoe, trumpeter Joe Herrera, and guitarist Greg Loman. Busy schedules have made convening the ensemble increasingly difficult, so The Funk Ark is going to call it a day with a farewell show at Gypsy Sally’s. Three Man Soul Machine opens. 8:30 p.m. Tickets $12 in advance/$14 at the door, plus fees.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23
Pianist Fred Hughes leads an excellent group of local musicians through a holiday set at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Vocalist Nina Casey leads a band at Mr. Henry’s. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
Area guitarist Elijah Cole leads a band at Twins Jazz. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
Lena Seikaly will be the featured guest vocalist at multiple holiday performances this week. Photo by Leah Appel.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24
Area musicians Joe Herrera (trumpet), Rodney Richardson (guitar), and Lena Seikaly (vocals) team up for a Christmas Eve jam at Blues Alley. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $20 plus minimum and surcharge.
Saxophonist Theo Rosenfeld leads a band at Twins Jazz. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25
Host/vibraphonist Chuck Redd leads the Millennium Stage‘s annual Christmas Day Jazz Jam. The ensemble of area mainstays includes drummer Lenny Robinson, pianist Robert Redd, trumpeter Tom Williams, bassist James King, and vocalist Delores Williams. 6 p.m. Free.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 26
Cyrus Chestnut is one of the finest pianists of his generation, bringing together impeccable technique with the soul of the blues, jazz, and gospel traditions. The local music community received a huge boost when he accepted a teaching position in Howard University’s storied jazz program. Chestnut will begin a week long run of 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. Tickets $30-$40 plus minimum and surcharge.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27
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 Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. 8 p.m. Tickets $35 plus minimum and surcharge.
