Living Colour drummer Will Calhoun comes to Blues Alley this weekend to pay tribute to jazz great Elvin Jones (Photo by Lia Chang).
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
Area vocalist Renee Collins-Georges plays Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society from 6 to 9 p.m. $10 at the door.
Keyboardist Marcus Young brings his “soul fusion” to Blues Alley with help from saxophonist Marcus Mitchell and vocalist Marcus Canty. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $22 plus minimum and surcharge.
Endless Field, an intriguing guitar/bass duo out of New York plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. Inspired by nature, the group’s playing is highly textured and evocative. $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
As he does every week, saxophonist Marshall Keys leads a band featuring keyboardist Federico Gonzalez Peña at Jojo’s. 7:30 to 11 p.m. FREE
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
Trumpeter Kenny Rittenhouse is most visible as the lead trumpeter for the Army Blues, one of the area’s many fine military bands. He has also led his own band for over 15 years and will perform at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door. A free screening of a documentary on the great jazz singer Carmen McRae follows the concert.
Local saxophonist Lionel Lyles brings a group to Mr. Henry’s. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
Smooth jazz keyboardist and area mainstay Marcus Johnson plays the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. 8 p.m. $25 plus minimum and surcharge.
Will Calhoun is best known as the powerhouse drummer that drives the pioneering rock outfit, Living Colour. He is also a fine jazz musician, as demonstrated on his 2016 release, Celebrating Elvin Jones, a moving tribute to one of the most innovative drummers in jazz history. Calhoun and his band will play material from that recording during 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Friday and Saturday at Blues Alley. $37.75 plus minimum and surcharge.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
The DC Alley Museum hosts the Alley-Oop festival this Saturday and Sunday, with the first day’s events taking place in conjunction with Art All Night. Saturday’s performers include Mt. Ranier, the music project of former DCist editor Matt Cohen, and ubiquitous area bassist Luke Stewart. In addition to performances from Janel Leppin‘s Volcanic Ash and Nag Champa, Sunday’s proceedings include an unveiling of new murals at 2:30 p.m. FREE
Vocalist Nina Casey performs at Mr. Henry’s. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
Vocalist Akua Allrich plays The Alex from 8 to 11 p.m. $20 minimum, reservations recommended.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
Vocalist Marcia Baird Burris plays Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society from 6 to 9 p.m. $10 at the door.
Vocalist Lena Seikaly, bassist Ethan Foote, and pianist Mark G. Meadows team up for an intimate performance at Casa Phoenix. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. $25.
Vocalist Julie Mack joins the Encantada Trio for an early set of Brazilian vibes at Bossa. 7 p.m. $10 at the door.
After playing the Alley-Oop festival, cellist Janel Leppin heads over to Rhizome to headline a bill of experimental musicians that also includes Gold Dime and Abstract Human. 8 p.m. $10 suggested donation.
Keyboardist Ben Tankard plays jazz with a heavy gospel influence. His band comes to Blues Alley for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $40 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. 9:30 p.m. FREE (Disclosure: I’ll be playing drums at this show)
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
Vibraphonist Drew Tucker and his band, The New Standard, mix their strong knowledge of jazz while incorporating elements of hip-hop and Top 40. They play 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $22 plus minimum and surcharge.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
Drummer Joey Antico, who was one of this year’s artists-in-residence at Strathmore, leads his jazz group on the Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. FREE
Steve Smith drummer’s drummer who began his career with the multi-platinum selling arena rock band, Journey, and then transitioned into being one of the most respected all-around drummers of all time. His long-running band, Vital Information, is at Blues Alley for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $30 plus minimum and surcharge.
