Bobby Muncy’s Kung Fu Bastard celebrates the release of its self-titled album on Friday at Bossa (Photo by Bharath Chandar).
WEDNESDAY, MAY 31
Vocalist Steve Washington leads a group at Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 p.m. $5 at the door.
Veteran area saxophonist Marty Nau comes to Twins Jazz with his band. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
Vocalist Kevin Whalum plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $25 plus minimum and surcharge.
Violinist Nistha Raj hosts the DC Raga Jam at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. 8:30 p.m. FREE
THURSDAY, JUNE 1
Jazz at Jackson Place, a summer concert series that takes place at the Decatur House Museum at Lafayette Square, kicks off its 2017 season with a performance from veteran area trumpeter Kenny Rittenhouse and his band. 6:30 p.m. $30.
Incorporating Afro-Cuban, Indian, and African instruments, Hamid Drake is at the forefront of the free jazz and world jazz movements. He and multi-instrumentalist Jamal R. Moore perform as a duo at Rhizome. 8 p.m. $10 suggested donation.
Crossover guitarist John Pizzarelli comes to Blues Alley on Thursday to begin a four-night run of 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $40-$45 plus minimum and surcharge.
The Feedel Band combines jazz, funk, and traditional Ethiopian music to create a truly groovy sound. They play the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. 9:30 p.m. $10 at the door.
FRIDAY, JUNE 2
The late Calvin Jones served as UDC’s jazz director for many years and mentored many of the city’s top players. Several of these musicians assemble at Jazz Night in Southwest to pay homage. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Bobby Muncy is one of the area’s most in-demand saxophonists and he also leads several of his own groups (Disclosure: I perform regularly with Muncy). Kung Fu Bastard is one of those projects, a collaboration with guitar wiz Anthony Pirog, drummer Larry Ferguson, and bassist Nathan Kawaller. The quartet celebrates the release of its debut album at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. The recording is bold and adventurous, with layers of sound that Pirog and Muncy build on top of the driving rhythm section. The compositions range from Coltrane-esque post-bop, to avant-garde explorations, to heavy rock grooves, making Kung Fu Bastard a welcome addition to the local discography. Muncy, Pirog, and Ferguson also work together in The El Reys, a surf rock band that opens the show. 7 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Dial 251 for Jazz plays Mr. Henry’s. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
Experimental musicians Thomas Helton, Kevin Patton, Melmann, and Meg Ronan share a bill at Rhizome. 8 p.m. $10 suggested donation.
Benito Gonzalez took the D.C. jazz scene by storm in the early 2000s when he moved to this area from his native Venezuela. He moved to New York several years ago, leading his own bands and playing with a number of jazz greats, but he still pays regular visits to our fair city. Gonzalez will play Twins Jazz on Friday and Saturday. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
SATURDAY, JUNE 3
Next week’s roundup will offer a full preview of this year’s DC Jazz Festival, which kicks off in earnest on June 9. However, The Phillips Collection will start things a bit early with its annual Jazz ‘n Families Fun Days on Saturday and Sunday. In addition to activities around the museum for people of all ages, there will be performances from some of the DMV’s finest, including guitarist John Lee, trombonist Reginald Cyntje, saxophonist Leigh Pilzer, and several others. Noon to 7 p.m. on both days. FREE
Tacha Coleman Parr plays Mr. Henry’s. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
SUNDAY, JUNE 4
Mark G. Meadows has quickly risen to the top rungs of the regional jazz scene as a pianist and composer. His 2016 release, To The People, topped several of D.C.’s “Best Of” lists. His band teams up with saxophonist Brent Birckhead, who also has strong local ties, for a 7:30 p.m. show at The Hamilton. $12-$32.75.
Area pianist Joe Vetter plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
MONDAY, JUNE 5
The Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra plays Levine Music’s Silver Spring location from 7 to 9 p.m. $10.
Tristan Honsinger’s In the Sea Players is an ensemble of string players that come together from various backgrounds to play group improvisations. The ensemble headlines an 8 p.m. show at Rhizome. $10 suggested donation.
TUESDAY, JUNE 6
Australian guitarist Albare is touring in support of his new album, Urbanity, and stops by Blues Alley for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $22 plus minimum and surcharge.
