Dave Douglas co-leads DADA People on Saturday at The Atlas. The ensemble plays music that French-American artist Man Ray inspired (photo courtesy Atlas Performing Arts Center).
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12
Deep Water plays Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Maple House Collective presents a triple bill at Rhizome featuring guitarist Tom Carter, Rex Delafkaran, and Bennett/Weinberg/Welcome. 8 p.m. $10 suggested donation.
Fusion violinist Jozef Nadj leads his ensemble through 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. $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, APRIL 13
Chicago’s Kevin Davis (cello, electronics) and Chris Dammann (bass, electronics), and Portland’s John Niekrasz (drums) have formed an experimental trio that headlines Rhizome, with area guitarist Anthony Pirog and the Creative Music Workshop Players as opening acts. 8 p.m. $10 suggested donation.
Virtuoso bassist Cheikh Ndoye blends the music of his West African heritage with contemporary jazz. He leads a group of equally skilled musicians on Thursday and Friday at Blues Alley to celebrate the release of his new album. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $35 plus minimum and surcharge.
The Twins Jazz Orchestra plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets at the U Street Venue. $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
FRIDAY, APRIL 14
Bowie State University’s jazz ensemble plays Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Marquis Hill won the prestigious Monk Competition in 2014 and has career has been on the rise ever since. His band, The Marquis Hill Blacktet, plays the Kennedy Center‘s KC Jazz Club. 7 and 9 p.m. sets. $45.
Elder Ones is a New York City-based quartet performing the compositions of vocalist Amirtha Kidambi. The quartet uses composed material and loose structures as a template for improvisation. The band plays the Bossa Bistro & Lounge with openers Ethiopian Octopus and Ted Zook. 8 p.m. $10 at the door.
At the time of his passing in 1999, Charlie Byrd had been a D.C. jazz institution for decades, having helped introduce Brazilian music to American audiences in the early ’60s. Veteran area percussionist Chuck Redd played with Byrd for many years and has assembled an outstanding band to pay tribute to the legendary guitarist on Friday at AMP. 8 p.m. $30-$40.
Trumpeter Kevin Cordt plays Mr. Henry’s. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
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 quintet 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.
Virtuoso bassist Cheikh Ndoye celebrates his new album’s release on Thursday and Friday at Blues Alley (photo courtesy Cheikh Ndoye).
SATURDAY, APRIL 15
Grammy-nominated pianist Geoffrey Keezer got his big break in the late ’80s when drumming legend Art Blakey recruited the then 18-year old pianist for his band. Keezer comes to the Kennedy Center for a performance in which he joins Canadian vocalist Gillian Margot to perform material from her latest album, Black Butterfly. 7 and 9 p.m. sets. $39-$45.
Rhizome stages its third night of experimental music this week, hosting Your Grace Adrianna Natalie, Pas Musique, John 3:16, and Chester Hawkins. 8 p.m. $10.
The Atlas will be hosting several jazz concerts in April to celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month, beginning with DADA People. French pianist Frank Woeste and American trumpeter Dave Douglas have created music based on the “readymades” work of artist Man Ray, the only American artist to play a major role in both the Dada and Surrealist movements. 8 p.m. with a free pre-show discussion at 7 p.m. $20-$28.
Vocalist Alison Crockett plays The Alex from 8 to 11 p.m. $20 minimum, reservations recommended.
Vocalist Maija Rejman plays Mr. Henry’s. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
Every year around this time, Blues Alley hosts a Japanese jazz series to coincide with the Cherry Blossom Festival. This year’s kicks off on Saturday and Sunday with 8 and 10 p.m. sets from trumpeter Tiger Okoshi and his quintet. $35 plus minimum and surcharge.
SUNDAY, APRIL 16
Global Nepal Fest 2017 takes place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on GWU’s University Yard (H Street NW b/w 20th and 21st Streets). The event features all aspects of Nepalese culture, including music, dance, food, and crafts. FREE
Trumpeter Ted Chubb brings his band to Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Nancy Harms is an NYC-based vocalist who released Ellington at Night last year, a lush tribute to one of D.C.’s most celebrated native suns. She will no doubt perform selections from the album at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
Subcontinental Groove is a loose group of veteran South Asian musicians from the local music community that assemble periodically for an evening of improvised jams. The collective will convene at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge in its downstairs stage. 8:30 p.m. No cover. (Disclosure: I’ll be playing drums at this show).
MONDAY, APRIL 17
Memphis Gold, a road warrior if there ever was one, brings his blues to Blue Monday Blues. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
The Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra continues its 7th anniversary celebration at Levine Music‘s new campus in Silver Spring. 7 p.m. $10.
Trumpeter Mao Sone leads a quartet through 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $20 plus minimum and surcharge.
TUESDAY, APRIL 18
Sanam Marvi, a Pakistani folk singer, plays traditional music from her native country on the Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. FREE
Born in Sapporo, Japan, saxophonist Erena Terakubo has been living in the U.S. since 2010 and has recorded with a number of jazz luminaries in the short time she has been here. Terakubo’s quartet comes to Blues Alley for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $20 plus minimum and surcharge.
