Leigh Pilzer celebrates the release of her new album on Sunday as part of the Washington Women in Jazz Festival.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22
Saxophonist Michael Hairston leads a band at Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Few jazz acts have created as much buzz over the past decade as Snarky Puppy. The collective’s music draws fans of funk, the jam band scene, jazz, and everything in between. Snarky Puppy plays a special show tonight with the NSO Pops Orchestra at the Kennedy Center. 8 p.m. Tickets $25-$75.
Trumpeter Alex Parchment plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
Area saxophonist John Kocur brings his trio to Marx Cafe. 9 p.m. to midnight. No cover.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23
Next Tuesday is, of course, Mardi Gras, and what would Mardi Gras be without some New Orleans second line? The world-renowned Dirty Dozen Brass Band is at The Hamilton to bring some Crescent City vibe to the District. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $25-$30.
The Twins Jazz Orchestra plays its regular 8 and 10 p.m. sets at the U Street venue. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
Saxophonist and smooth jazz star Kim Waters starts a four night-run of 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. Tickets $40-$45 plus minimum and surcharge.
Brazilian vocalist Cissa Paz will be at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge for her monthly appearance. 10 p.m. $10 at the door.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24
The INTERSECTIONS Festival is a wonderful annual event that takes place at the Atlas. The multi-disciplinary showcase, which occurs over the next three weekends, offers movement, stories, and music that showcase the city’s cultural diversity. Among the performances this weekend are West African sounds from Amadou Kouyate and jazzy-pop from Flo Anito. Visit the festival website for full ticket and schedule information.
Jazz pianist and Kennedy Center Artistic Director for Jazz, Jason Moran, joins Chicago-based installation artist and sculptor Theaster Gates and the students of Chicago’s Kenwood Academy Jazz Band to remount Looks of a Lot. The multimedia production explores themes of gun violence and the resilience of the human spirit. 8 p.m. Tickets $25-$59.
The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO) with Wynton Marsalis, National Philharmonic, and a 150-person gospel choir join forces to present All Rise at the Music Center at Strathmore. The 12-movement piece was recorded just days after the September 11 terrorist attacks and is a journey of reaching joy out of tragedy. 8 p.m. Tickets $65-$175. There will also be a repeat performance on Sunday at 4 p.m.
Vocalist Aaron Myers leads his band at Mr. Henry’s. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum. Myers also leads his ensemble on Saturday at the Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. Free.
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.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25
Vocalist Akua Allrich plays The Alex from 8 to 11 p.m. $20 minimum, reservations recommended.
AMP presents a sneak preview of the new, full-length documentary concert film, Anacostia Delta: Home of the World’s Great “Unknown” Guitarists. The film includes performance and rehearsal interviews from a 2015 concert celebrating D.C. guitar legend Danny Gatton. Artists featured in the film will also perform. 8 p.m. Tickets $25-$35.
Rhizome hosts an evening of experimental music featuring Saajtak, Us, Today, Heart of the Ghost, and David Shapiro. 8 to 11 p.m. $10 at the door.
Vocalist Renee Georges brings her group to Mr. Henry’s. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
The Washington Women in Jazz Festival, under the direction of pianist Amy K. Bormet, will take place over the next three weekends with events in D.C. and nearby suburbs. The festival kicks off with a collaboration between WWJF and the INTERSECTIONS festival at the Atlas. Bormet’s ensemble, Ephemera, will perform with the Capital City Symphony, blurring the lines between classical music and jazz. 9 p.m. Tickets $25.
Pianist Amy Bormet and her ensemble, Ephemera, perform at the Atlas on Saturday along with the Capital City Symphony.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26
Saxophonist Brian Settles and bassist Michael Formanek team up for an intimate duo performance at the MLK Library. 2 p.m. Free.
Vocalist Mavis Waters leads a band at Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
The Washington Women in Jazz Festival continues with a concert by Leigh Pilzer, who is a first-call baritone saxophonist with numerous impressive credits under her belt. She performs at The Lyceum Alexandria to celebrate the release of Strunkin’ her first album as a solo bandleader. The ensemble includes Jen Krupa, another area veteran on trombone, as well as drummer Sherrie Maricle, who leads the celebrated DIVA Jazz Orchestra. 7 p.m. Tickets $10-$20.
Formed in Chicago by percussionist Kahil El’Zabar, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble has undergone many lineup changes, but has nonetheless been performing in some form for 40 years. On Sunday, trumpeter Corey Wilkes and reed player Alex Harding will join El’Zabar to celebrate Black History Month at the Logan Fringe Arts Space. 7 and 8:30 p.m. sets. Tickets $20 in advance/$25 at the door.
Vocalist Julie Mack leads her ensemble, Encantada, through an evening of Brazilian jazz at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27
Bass-god Victor Wootten comes to The Birchmere with drumming legend Dennis Chambers and saxophonist Bob Franceschini. The show is sold out, but snag tickets if you can. 7:30 p.m.
Trumpeter Duane Eubanks comes from a musical family that could rival the Marsalises. His mother is pianist Vera Eubanks, Kenny Barron’s first piano teacher, and his brothers are trombonist Robin Eubanks and guitarist Kevin Eubanks, former bandleader of the the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Duane Eubanks is well on his way to establishing a strong career for himself, having performed with Elvin Jones, Mulgrew Miller, Dave Holland and Alicia Keys. He will bring his group to Blues Alley tonight for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $22 plus minimum and surcharge.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28
Area musicians Earl Carter (guitar) and Phillip “Doc” Martin team up for 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. Tickets $27.50 plus minimum and surcharge.
