Cyrus Chestnut is in the midst of a week long run at Blues Alley that culminates with sets on New Year’s Eve.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28
Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society hosts a holiday jam session. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
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 continues a week long run of 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. Tickets $30-$40 plus minimum and surcharge. The residency culminates with a performance on New Year’s Eve. Tickets to the early set are still available but the main event is sold out.
Guitarist Max Light leads his band through 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
Born in Tigzirt-sur-Mer, Algeria, singer-songwriter Kamel Zennia‘s music is rooted in the Kabyle Berber culture. He will bring his rich sound to the Bossa Bistro & Lounge tonight. 9:30 p.m. $5 at the door.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29
Beekman is a band consisting of saxophonist Kyle Nasser, pianist Yago Vazguez, bassist PabloMenares, and drummer Rodrigo Recabarren. The ensemble brings its eclectic sound to Twins Jazz for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
Pablo Regis is a Brazilian singer/musician who specializes in his native country’s samba and forro styles. He plays a 10 p.m. set at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. $10 at the door.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30
Carolyn Malachi is a vocalist with strong ties to the District. The Grammy-nominated artist can hold her own in any genre and often blends multiple streams together to create her sound. Malachi will play the Millennium Stage, performing material from her new album, RISE: Story 1. 6 p.m. Free.
The Washington City Paper recently named saxophonist Elijah Jamal Balbed Artist of the Year out of the many talented musicians we have in the DMV. Balbed leads his quartet at Jazz Night in Southwest with Sharon Clark sitting in as a special guest vocalist. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Pieces of a Dream, the long-running smooth jazz outfit, plays a 7:30 p.m. show at The Birchmere. Tickets $39.50.
Blues vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Deanna Bogart plays an 8 p.m. show at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. Tickets $25 plus minimum and surcharge.
Vocalist Di Daly plays Mr. Henry’s with her band. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
Bassist Cheney Thomas leads his band through 9 and 11 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31
Fresh off her combo being named Best Small Group by the Washington City Paper, area trombonist Shannon Gunn leads her all-female big band, The Bullettes, on the Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. Free. The Bullettes, along with Queen Esther & The Hot Five, will also provide the entertainment for the Kennedy Center’s New Year’s Eve party start that evening at 10 p.m. in the Grand Foyer. Admission is free with a ticket stub from any one of the paid events taking place that evening in the venue.
Shannon Gunn leads her all female big band, The Bullettes, on New Year’s Eve at the Kennedy Center.
Mr. Henry’s will celebrate New Year’s Eve with help from vocalist Aaron L. Myers. The party starts at 7:30 p.m. and admission includes a seafood bar, appetizers, dinner, open bar, entertainment, and a champagne toast. Tickets $84-$240 (for singles and pairs).
yasiin bey (formerly known as Mos Def) will be performing what are being billed as his final performances from Saturday through Monday at the Kennedy Center. The hip-hop icon often brings in the best of New York’s nu-jazz scene, such as Robert Glasper’s band, to accompany him. 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, 8 p.m. on Sunday and Monday. Ticket stubs from the New Year’s Eve performance may be used to gain entry to the Kennedy Center’s celebration in the Grand Foyer after the show. Tickets $35-$159. The Millennium Stage will also host free 6 p.m. tributes to bey on Sunday and Monday.
Doc Scantlin and His Imperial Palms Orchestra will bring the classic big band elegance of the ’20s, ’30s, and ’40s to the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club to ring in the new year. 9 p.m. Tickets $75-$150. The higher entry fee includes a four course meal plus assorted specials.
The Bossa Bistro & Lounge will host a New Year’s celebration beginning at 9 p.m. with bands playing on each of its two levels. Brazilian vocalist Cissa Paz and The Beat Fairy will provide the music. $10 at the door.
Bassist Cheney Thomas returns to Twins Jazz with his ensemble on New Years Eve. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The $85 package includes the performance, a three course meal, a bottle of champagne and party favors.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 1
Girma Beyene is one of the most influential arrangers of Ethiopian music from the “golden era” of the 1960s and ’70s. He will be performing along with the Feedel Band at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. This concert aims to help raise funds to get Girma and Feedel Band to New York City for the annual Association of Performing Arts Presenters Conference (APAP). Tickets $10.
MONDAY, JANUARY 2
Pianist Vince Evans brings his band to Blue Monday Blues, Westminster Church’s blues counterpart to Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 3
An always exciting performance takes place every Tuesday at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. The club hosts Cheick Hamala Diabate and Griot Street, a band that never fails to deliver a night of infectious West African rhythms. 9:30 p.m. No cover.
