Jeff “Tain” Watts and his trio play Blues Alley tonight (photo via Bandcamp).
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8
Project Natale plays Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society from 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Bassist Ethan Foote is this month’s artist-in-residence at Strathmore. Equally at home in jazz, folk, and classical settings, his music draws from all these influences. Foote plays a concert at the venue’s historic mansion. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $17.
Jeff “Tain” Watts has been at the forefront of jazz drumming for over 30 years, rising to prominence through his work with Wynton and Branford Marsalis in the ’80s and ’90s. His band at Blues Alley includes guitarist Paul Bollenback, who has resided in New York for the past 20 years but spent his formative years here in D.C. The band will focus on material from Tain’s latest release, Blue, Vol. 2. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $25 plus minimum and surcharge.
Area pianist Joe Vetter plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
Saxophonist Tedd Baker leads a trio at Marx Cafe. 9 p.m. to midnight. No cover.
The Bossa Bistro & Lounge presents a double bill. Tamar Ilana & Ventanas is a flamenco-Balkan-Sephardic world music group from Toronto. They will open for Orchester Praževica, who returns to Bossa for a monthly gig, playing an energetic blend of gypsy music, Balkan folk, and jazz. 9 p.m. No cover.
THURSDAY, MARCH 9
DCist was present during AMP‘s opening weekend, and Be Steadwell was a standout performer that evening. Blending jazz, a capella, and folk influences and filtering them through an LGBTQ lens, she comes up with a wholly original sound. Steadwell returns to the club on Thursday for an 8 p.m. set. Tickets $20-$30.
Saxophonist and smooth jazz star Gerald Albright begins a four night run of 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. Tickets $50-$55 plus minimum and surcharge.
Emmet Cohen is a young pianist who is steadily earning his reputation in New York’s crowded and competitive jazz scene. He brings his trio to Twins Jazz for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
FRIDAY, MARCH 10
Veteran area saxophonist Antonio Parker brings his group to Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Siblings Elena (flute/vocals) and Samora (piano) Pinderhughes are young musicians who have each racked up an impressive list of credits. They perform 7 and 9 p.m. sets as part of the Kennedy Center‘s Discovery Artist series. Tickets $25.
Rhizome hosts an evening of experimental music featuring Sunwatchers, Mt. Ranier, and FOR Trio. 8 to 11 p.m. $10 at the door.
Trumpeter Kevin Cordt leads a band at Mr. Henry’s. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
Alison Crockett is one of the area’s most dynamic vocalists. She will lead a group through 9 and 11 p.m. sets on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
Christie Dashiell, one of D.C.’s top vocalists, plays the Kennedy Center on Saturday (photo courtesy of the artist).
SATURDAY, MARCH 11
Christie Dashiell is one of D.C.’s finest vocalists, first making waves as a soloist with Howard University’s Afro Blue during that ensemble’s run on NBC’s The Sing-Off. Dashiell’s band, which includes her brother on drums, plays 7 and 9 p.m. sets at the Kennedy Center. Tickets $39.
Vocalist Danielle Wertz plays The Alex from 8 to 11 p.m. $20 minimum, reservations recommended.
Maija Rejman brings her classic vocal style to Mr. Henry’s. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
SUNDAY, MARCH 12
Guitarist Elijah Cole plays Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society from 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Tissa Khosla is an area saxophonist who regularly plays with the Modern Jazz Generation, an ensemble under the direction of the blind piano master, Marcus Roberts. Khosla brings a trio to Petworth’s Ten Tigers Parlour for an evening of classic and contemporary acoustic jazz. 7 to 10 p.m. No cover.
Robert “Mousey” Thompson played drums with the great James Brown from 1993 to the icon’s passing in 2006. His James Brown Experience keeps the funk alive and the band plays The Howard Theatre at 8 p.m. Tickets $25-$45.
Kevin Sun is a Brooklyn-based saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer. He is a founding member of Earprint, a pianoless quartet whose eponymous first album topped the 2016 NPR Music Jazz Critics Poll for Best Debut Album. Sun also leads a trio, which comes to Twins Jazz for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
MONDAY, MARCH 13
The Clarence Turner Blues Band plays Blue Monday Blues. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Drummer Carl “C-Man” Anderson leads a band through two sets of gospel-influenced jazz at Blues Alley. 8 and 10 p.m. Tickets $20 plus minimum and surcharge.
TUESDAY, MARCH 14
Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the celebrated South African a capella group, rose to prominence by collaborating with Paul Simon on his seminal Graceland album. The ensemble brings joy and delight to anyone in its presence, and that will certainly be the case during its 7:30 p.m. set at The Birchmere. Tickets $49.50.
