Cellist Janel Leppin will be among those performing at Saturday’s Jazz and Freedom Festival.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11
Vocalist Iva Jean Ambush leads a band at Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Marx Cafe in Mt. Pleasant is launching a Wednesday night jazz series that begins today with a performance by saxophonist John Kocur and his trio. 9 p.m. to midnight. No cover.
Bassist Michael Feinberg leads his trio through 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. Tickets $20 plus minimum and surcharge.
Saxophonist Marty Nau brings his group to Twins Jazz for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
Baltimore’s Orchester Praževica plays high energy music that comes from the traditions of Eastern European Czardas and Gypsy Swing, accompanied by a heavy dose of jazz and blues. They will be at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge tonight. 9 p.m. No cover.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12
Bud, Not Buddy is a new jazz/theatrical piece that the Kennedy Center commissioned. Trumpeter Terence Blanchard composed the music and Obie Award winner Kirsten Greening adapted the script from Christopher Paul Curtis’s book. The story is set in Flint, Michigan during the Great Depression and is the coming-of-age tale of a 10-year old boy. Bud, Not Buddy will be staged Thursday through Sunday. Tickets $20-$60.
Stanley Jordan will bring his unique tapping style of guitar playing to Blues Alley this weekend for a four-night run of solo performances. The string of 8 and 10 p.m. sets begins on Thursday. Tickets $25-$30 plus minimum and surcharge.
The Twins Jazz Orchestra plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets at the U Street club. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13
Saxophonist Whit Williams leads a group at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Aaron “Ab” Abernathy is a multi-talented entertainer who comes from a long line of historical pioneers including Civil Rights leader Rev. Ralph David Abernathy. He plays the Millennium Stage along with his band, Nat Turner. 6 p.m. Free.
Trumpeter Kevin Cordt leads a group at Mr. Henry’s 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
Saxophonist Jim Snidero brings his group to Twins Jazz for 9 and 11 p.m. sets on Friday and Saturday. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14
CapitalBop is presenting the 3rd annual Jazz and Freedom Festival on Saturday at Tropicalia. The day-long affair, which will benefit WPFW, will feature groups led by local luminaries such as vocalist Akua Allrich, bassist Michael Bowie, and cellist Janel Leppin. Headlining the festival will be the all-star Jazz and Freedom Quartet, which will include saxophonist Sarah Hughes, bassist Tarus Mateen, and trombonist Shannon Gunn. This event is a must for anyone who is a fan of the local music scene or is interested in the space where jazz and activism intersect. 3 to 10:30 p.m. $20 suggested donation.
Saxophonist Tal Shtuhl will play selections from his recent album, Beauty Horizons, on the Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. Free.
Vocalist Candice Bostwick leads a group at Mr. Henry’s 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
Surfacing Records is a new, non-profit music label dedicated to releasing long-form ambient and drone works. Proceeds from all sales will go to advocacy and charitable organizations. The label will present a slate of its acts at Rhizome. 8:30 p.m. $10 suggested donation.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15
Vocalist Renee Collins Georges leads a band at Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door. The venue will also host an MLK day celebration on Monday. 1 to 5 p.m. $5 at the door.
Area guitar wiz John Lee will team up with fellow axe man Jack Waugh to play 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
The Fourth Stream brings its world jazz to the Bossa Bistro & Lounge on Sunday. 8:30 p.m. No cover. (Author’s note: This is my music project).
MONDAY, JANUARY 16
Gladys Knight headlines Let Freedom Ring!, the Kennedy Center‘s annual tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 6 p.m. Free. Tickets will be distributed up to two per person on a first-come, first-served basis at the entrance to the Hall of Nations, beginning at 4:30 p.m.
Dwayne Adell is a mind-blowingly talented area pianist whose reputation should extend much further than it does. A largely self-taught musician who reads very little music, Adell once won an international Rachmaninoff competition with a piece he learned by ear off a recording. Not only is he a gifted artist, his genius—and we don’t use that word lightly—carries over into mathematics and a variety of other subjects. He performs 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Monday at Blues Alley. Tickets $22 plus minimum and surcharge.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17
Peter Fraize is a veteran of the local scene and directs the jazz ensembles at GWU. He will celebrate the release of his new album at Blues Alley. Stay tuned for a preview. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $20 plus minimum and surcharge.
