Bassist Michael Bowie leads MBowie & The Blast tonight at the Atlas (Photo via Facebook).
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28
The Millennium Stage is hosting a number of international choirs as part of Serenade!, a choral festival in honor of John F. Kennedy’s centenary. The performances take place from Wednesday through Friday at 6 p.m. FREE
Vocalist Ines Nassara is this month’s artist-in-residence at Strathmore. She’ll perform at the venue’s historic mansion tonight. 7:30 p.m. $17.
Orkesta Mendoza brings together traditional Mexican regional styles like cumbia, mambo, and mariachi, and then adds a rock and electronic twist. The band plays an 8 p.m. show at AMP. $17-$28.
In a town known for its bass players, Michael Bowie is one of the best D.C. has to offer. His latest project, MBowie & The Blast takes well-known songs and reconstructs them with a contemporary jazz sensibility. Bowie has used this music as a starting point to create YOU HAVEN’T DONE NOTHIN’, a multi-media project that incorporates dance and film to take a look at broader social issues. Bowie worked with director Thomas W. Jones to stage the production, which takes place tonight at the Atlas. 8 p.m. $20-$32.
Willie Jones III has played drums for a number of jazz greats, including Sonny Rollins and Dizzy Gillespie. Unfortunately, he does not get the recognition that his talent deserves. Jones stops by Blues Alley with an excellent band that includes trumpeter Terell Stafford and saxophonist Ralph Moore. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $30 plus minimum and surcharge.
Saxophonist Theo Rosenfeld, an area native who is currently studying at Oberlin Conservatory, leads a quartet through 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
Touch Acoustra is an experimental groove group led by Rob Coltun, a guitarist who plays with a number of groups around town. His band is part of a double bill at Bossa with Ubuntu Rising. 9:30 p.m. $5 at the door.
THURSDAY, JUNE 29
Nigerian-born vocalist, drummer, and composer Tosin has been a mainstay of the D.C. music scene for over a decade. He draws from a number of African genres and blends them with American jazz and R&B. His band plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
Brazilian vocalist Cissa Paz is at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge for her monthly appearance. 10 p.m. $10 at the door.
FRIDAY, JUNE 30
Victor Provost brings his steel pan-led band to Jazz in the Garden. 5 to 8:30 p.m. FREE
Drummer and local jazz mainstay Nasar Abadey leads a band at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Saxophonist Lionel Lyles brings his band to Mr. Henry’s. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
Saxophonist Anthony Nelson leads his group through 9 and 11 p.m. sets on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
SATURDAY, JULY 1
Trombonist Shannon Gunn leads her all-female quintet at Mr. Henry’s with Jessica Boykin-Settles as a featured guest vocalist. The group will preview songs from Gunn’s forthcoming recording as well as original arrangements of jazz classics. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
Azar Lawrence, like many saxophonists, is unabashed in putting John Coltrane’s influence on full display. In fact, he was often the saxophonist of choice for McCoy Tyner, ‘Trane’s longtime pianist. Lawrence will be at Blues Alley on Saturday and Sunday, playing 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $25-$30 plus minimum and surcharge.
Loide, an area jazz vocalist, is an immigration lawyer by day and recent events have kept her too busy to take stage very often. She’s managed to get away from the legal briefs long enough to assemble a band for a performance at Jojo’s. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. FREE
SUNDAY, JULY 2
The Johnny Jones Trio plays Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 to 9 p.m. $10 at the door.
Drummer William Hooker is one of the New York experimental scene’s mainstays. He has been working continuously for 40 years at a very high level and shows no signs of slowing down. His band plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz on Sunday. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
MONDAY, JULY 3
Bandleader Eric Felten leads his jazz orchestra through 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. The band will take a nostalgic look at the big band classics that were popular during World War II. $27.50 plus minimum and surcharge.
TUESDAY, JULY 4
Go to a cookout and watch some fireworks.
