Fred Hersch gives a solo piano performance on Saturday at the Atlas (Photo courtesy Fred Hersch).
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18
Vocalist Iva Ambush plays Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 to 9 p.m. $10 at the door.
Area saxophonist John Kocur plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz, leading a quartet. $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
Cowboys & Frenchmen is a New York-based quintet aimed at developing a new approach to composition and orchestration within the small group jazz context. The band brings material from its new album, Bluer Than You Think, to Blues Alley. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $20 plus minimum and surcharge.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19
The Hill Center and the Multiflora Music Festival partner to present an evening of Persian music. The 7 p.m. show includes oud player Huda Asfour, violinist Ava Shadmani, and percussionist Kimia Hesabi. $12/$15.
Formed by its multilingual vocalist and band leader, Jean-Francis Varre, Sahel interprets musical genres influenced by African culture around the world. The band plays Bossa at 9:30 p.m. $10 at the door.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20
Larry Brown has been among the area’s most respected pianists for decades. He left town for a minute, but is now back, and has assembled a team of the area’s finest to perform at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Lila Downs bridges traditions from across the Americas, with influences ranging from the folk and ranchera music of Mexico to North American jazz and blues. The acclaimed singer comes to the Music Center at Strathmore for an 8 p.m. show. $38-$78.
Combo Chimbita brings its modern take on traditional Colombian sounds to the Atlas. Gaiteros de Sanguashington opens. 8 p.m. $25-$32.
Drummer Eddie Anderson brings a band to Mr. Henry’s. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
Smooth jazz star Najee comes to Blues Alley for a three night run of 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $55-$60 plus minimum and surcharge.
Dial 251 for Jazz plays 9 and 11 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz on Friday and Saturday. $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21
Julia Nixon was one of the principals in the celebrated Broadway production of Dreamgirls. Her music straddles the line between jazz and R&B, and the WAMMIE and Helen Hayes award winner will perform an intimate show at Mr. Henry’s. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $14 to $19 with a $15 food and beverage minimum.
Exactly 100 hundred years to the day of his birth, the Kennedy Center hosts an all-star celebration to honor that late jazz legend, Dizzy Gillespie. The Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band, NEA Jazz Masters Paquito D’Rivera, Jimmy Heath, and Jimmy Owens, along with a host of other world-class musicians take part in the tribute. 8 p.m. $19-$69.
Fred Hersch has ten Grammy nominations to his credit and last month released a gorgeous solo piano recording, Open Book. The album’s release coincided with his memoir, Good Things Happen Slowly: A Life In and Out of Jazz, which chronicles his experience as an openly gay, HIV-positive jazz musician. His illness led to a two-month coma in 2008 and after recovering, his output has been intensely personal, infused with passion, and totally captivating. Hersch comes to the Atlas for an 8 p.m. solo recital. $31.50-$40. A free performance in the lobby from drummer Hope Udobi precedes the concert.
Vocalist Rochelle Rice plays The Alex from 8 to 11 p.m. $20 minimum, reservations recommended.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22
Vocalist Petra Martin plays Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 to 9 p.m. $10 at the door.
Pianist Levon Mikaelian blends the music of his native Armenia with American jazz. His trio plays an early 7 p.m. set at Bossa. $10 at the door.
Philadelphia-based pianist Julian Hartwell plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
World jazz outfit, The Fourth Stream, plays the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. 9 p.m. to midnight. Trombonist Shannon Gunn will be the featured guest. FREE (Author’s note: This is my project). Part of the Multiflora Music Festival.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 23
A set from the Bay area-based vocalist Jacqui Naylor can include songs by both Johnny Mercer and Amy Winehouse. She pays a visit to Blues Alley, playing 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $22 plus minimum and surcharge.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24
Artist-activist-drummer Michael Verdon is a driving force behind Catharsis On The Mall, an annual vigil that seeks solutions to societal wounds. He joins Rhizome‘s scholar-in-residence, Thomas Stanley, for a discussion and performance. 8 p.m. $10 suggested donation.
