NOVEMBER 1
The Feedel Band plays an infectious form of Ethiopian jazz that developed in that country during the ’70s and ’80s. The band continues its monthly residency at Bossa Bistro + Lounge. 9:30 p.m., $10.
NOVEMBER 2
Area pianist Vince Evans celebrates the release of his latest album with a performance at Jazz Night in Southwest. Vocalist Hazel Mitchell-Bell is his featured guest for the evening. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Alsarah left her native Sudan during a time of strife and she used music as a way to cope with that sudden transition. She earned a degree in ethnomusicology and formed The Nubatones with like minded musicians who were interested in the intersection of culture, music, and migration. Alsarah & The Nubatones play MilkBoy Arthouse at 8 p.m. $25-$30.
The Beacon Bar & Grill is starting a weekly Friday night jazz series. Area favorite Sharon Clark will kick off the series, performing every week through December 21. $25 per person minimum. Reservations recommended.
The Rebirth Brass Band is a New Orleans institution and is among the leading exemplars of the Crescent City’s brass band tradition. The band plays an 8 p.m. show at The Hamilton with two additional sets on Nov. 3. $35-$45.
Strathmore has been hosting an art exhibition, Día de Muertos: Cultural Perspectives since early September. The exhibition closes with performances on Nov. 2 with a night of cumbia music in Strathmore‘s historic mansion. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. $11.
NOVEMBER 3
Area smooth jazz star Marcus Johnson plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Sotto. $20 in advance/$25 at the door.
Kenny Rittenhouse is most often seen playing trumpet with the Army Blues, one of the area’s finest service bands. He also leads his own band, which showcases his powerful hard bop sound. Rittenhouse plays 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. $15 + minimum and surcharge.
NOVEMBER 4
Local vocalist Coniece Washington performs at Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $10 at the door.
Tia Brazda has a vintage style that has made her a regular in Toronto’s jazz clubs. She is touring the U.S. and comes to Twins Jazz for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + minimum and surcharge.
NOVEMBER 5
Postmodern Jukebox became a YouTube sensation with its roaring ’20s take on contemporary pop hits. The band is currently on its Back in Black & White Tour, which stops at The Music Center at Strathmore. 8 p.m. $35-$85.
Alison Crockett is one of the area’s most dynamic and technically gifted vocalists. She comes to Blues Alley for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $22 + minimum and surcharge.
NOVEMBER 6
Nathan Bowles is a talented banjo player and percussionist who recontextualizes old-time Appalachian traditions into experimental, minimalist settings. His trio comes to Rhizome to headline an 8 p.m. bill. $10 at the door.
Roy Hargrove is one of the finest jazz trumpeters of his generation and comes to Blues Alley every fall for a week-long run. This year’s shows begin tonight and run through Sunday. 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $45-$55 + minimum and surcharge.
NOVEMBER 7
In addition to being a sought-after saxophonist, Vaughn Ambrose is also one of the area’s premiere jazz educators. He doesn’t lead his own band often, but does so from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. at Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. $10 at the door.
NOVEMBER 8
GADADU is a band that plays music that has an ethereal and dream-like quality to it, combining easy-going tempos with skilled musicianship and rich harmonies. The band comes to the Bossa Bistro + Lounge for a 7 p.m. set. $10 at the door.
Vocalist Jacie Lee Almira plays 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. $10 + minimum and surcharge.
NOVEMBER 9
Vibraphonist/drummer Chuck Redd and a band of excellent local musicians play Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Banda Magda is a New York-based ensemble whose members hail from Greece, Argentina, Japan, Colombia, and the United States. The band’s material reflects all of these international influences, most notably on its latest release, Tigre. Banda Magda comes to The Atlas as part of its worldwide tour in support of the album. 8 p.m. $14-$30.
In the 1980s, Jess Sah Bi & Peter One became one of the most popular acts throughout West Africa. The duo’s 1985 debut, Our Garden Needs Its Flowers, was just re-released in its original, high-fidelity form and they are celebrating the recording with a series of shows in the U.S. They will stop at Rhizome to headline a bill that includes Greg Jamie and Twin Jude. 8 p.m. $15 suggested donation.
NOVEMBER 10
Jojo’s hosts a strong night of local music as bassist Blake Meister leads a group from 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., followed by a late set from vocalist Steve Washington. 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover.
Herb Scott was a driving force behind the recent and very successful Hill Fest, and he also runs the Wednesday night jazz jam at Mr. Henry’s. He’ll lead a band tonight from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. $15 per person minimum.
Baltimore native Tim Green has a sound that blends the soul of gospel music with the harmonic sophistication of jazz. Now also an instructor at the prestigious Peabody Conservatory, Green makes the trip down 295 for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Sotto. $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
NOVEMBER 11
James King has been one of the area’s top bassists for decades. The veteran musician leads a band at Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $10 at the door.
Chris Botti started out playing trumpet in straight-ahead and experimental ensembles before extensive touring with Sting led him to be more of a crossover artist. He straddles the line between jazz and pop and always assembles a fantastic group of musicians. Botti plays The Birchmere. 7:30 p.m. $105.
NOVEMBER 12
The 369th Experience is a band of musicians from a collection of HBCUs who will pay tribute to the contributions of African-Americans and Puerto Ricans during World War I. This Millennium Stage performance is in tribute to James Reece Europe, a soldier and bandleader who, during The Great War, brought jazz to Europe. 6 p.m. FREE
Gunhild Carling is a multi-instrumentalist and bandleader who is known as the “Queen of Swing” in her native Sweden. She is also a regularly featured soloist with Postmodern Jukebox, but leads her own band tonight through 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $25 + minimum and surcharge.
NOVEMBER 13
The Count Basie Orchestra helped define the classic jazz big band sound. While its namesake and most of its original members have long since passed, it survives as an entity and still delivers the authentic sound of its heyday and performs at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. 7 p.m. $25-$45 + minimum and surcharge.
Michel Nirenberg is a talented young saxophonist based in Brazil. He is touring the U.S. in support of his latest album, Retrato/Portrait, and makes a stop at Blues Alley. 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $22 + minimum and surcharge.
NOVEMBER 14
Frank Vignola is one of the most versatile guitarists working today, having collaborated with the likes of both Wynton Marsalis and Madonna. He comes to Blues Alley with a trio to visit the “hot jazz” that Parisian musicians like Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli made popular in the ’20s and ’30s. 6 p.m. $25 + minimum and surcharge.
Naama Gheber is a New York-based vocalist who draws from Great American Songbook, particularly composers of the ’30s and ’40s. She plays 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. $10 + minimum and surcharge.
Orchester Praževica holds its monthly Gypsy Soul party at the Bossa Bistro + Lounge. 9 p.m. No cover.
NOVEMBER 15
Italian-born vocalist Roberta Gambarini is a classic jazz singer who renders masterful interpretations of jazz standards and songs that deserve more widespread recognition. She has assembled a band that begins a four night run of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $30-$35 + minimum and surcharge.
NOVEMBER 16
Larry Brown has long been among the DMV’s first-call pianists. He plays Jazz Night in Southwest with a band that includes fellow local veterans Peter Fraize and Thad Wilson. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $5 at the door.
On his latest album, Yo Soy La Tradición, saxophonist and MacArthur “genius” Miguel Zenón joined forces with the classical ensemble Spektral Quartet to explore the musical traditions of his native Puerto Rico. They come together again for 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. sets at the Kennedy Center’s KC Jazz Club. $20-$35.
Smooth jazz saxophonist Walter Beasley plays an 8 p.m. show at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. $49-$69 + minimum and surcharge.
Eddie Anderson is a highly respected local drummer and music educator. He’ll lead a band from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. at Mr. Henry’s. $15 per person minimum.
Respected area trombonist and prolific composer Reginald Cyntje plays 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. $15 + minimum and surcharge.
NOVEMBER 17
Cécile McLorin Salvant is a rising star in the jazz world. The vocalist comes to the Kennedy Center to present Ogresse, a concept concert that the Center commissioned. The performance features an ensemble under the direction of composer and bandleader Darcy James Argue. 7:30 p.m. $40-$50.
John Medeski is best known for his keyboard work with Medeski Martin & Wood, but he also has a number of side projects. One of those projects, Mad Skillet, is a band that came together at a jam session in 2015, and it roots Medeski’s eclectic sensibilities in a traditional New Orleans sound. Mad Skillet comes to The Hamilton for an 8 p.m. set. $20-$40.
Bassist/vocalist Nicole Saphos is one of the D.C. area’s rising stars. She plays The Alex from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. $20 minimum, reservations recommended.
Area vocalist Maija Rejman brings her Brazilian stylings to Mr. Henry’s. 8 p.m.-11 p.m. $15 per person minimum.
NOVEMBER 18
Vocalist/trumpeter Nico Sarbanes brings a band to Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $10 at the door.
NOVEMBER 19
Smooth jazz saxophonist Boney James comes to The Birchmere for a 7:30 p.m. set. $79.50.
On his latest album, Angel Band, guitarist Joel Harrison puts Appalachian and country standards into a modern jazz context. His band will play material from the recording during 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $22 + minimum and surcharge.
NOVEMBER 20
Katie Thiroux is highly skilled as a bassist, vocalist, and composer. The renowned trade publication Downbeat Magazine named her 2017 recording Off Beat its best album for that year. Thiroux comes to Blues Alley for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $24 + minimum and surcharge.
NOVEMBER 21
Guitarist Russell Malone comes out of the hard swinging bebop and hard bop traditions of the ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s, but also incorporates more contemporary funk and R&B influences. His trio plays 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $35 + minimum and surcharge.
NOVEMBER 22
In what has become a Thanksgiving Day tradition, the Millennium Stage hosts an evening of free big band music and swing dancing. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. FREE
NOVEMBER 23
Trombonist Bobby Felder leads his big band at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Aaron “Ab” Abernathy graduated from Howard University’s highly regarded music program before entering the hip-hop world, where he served as music director for touring acts Black Milk and Slum Village. He keeps one foot in the jazz world, and that side of his music will be on display as he brings a band to Sotto for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $20 in advance/$25 at the door.
Veteran area vocalist Aaron Myers plays Mr. Henry’s from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. $15 per person minimum.
Smooth jazz keyboardist Alex Bugnon comes to Blues Alley to kick off three nights of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $30-$35 + minimum and surcharge.
NOVEMBER 24
Beginning at 1 p.m. on Nov. 24, Rhizome hosts an open, collective performance that will last a full 24 hours until 1 p.m. the following day. Attendees are encouraged to bring instruments, art supplies, or any found objects with which they can participate. $10 suggested donation.
Bassist and area mainstay Michael Bowie is the featured artist at this month’s iteration of CapitalBop’s Spotlight Residency, held at Local 16. His band plays 6:30 and 8 p.m. sets tonight and tomorrow. $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
Mousey Thompson played drums for James Brown from 1993 until Brown’s passing in 2006. Thompson pays tribute to Brown at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. 8 p.m. $30 + minimum and surcharge.
Samuel Prather is a talented multi-instrumentalist who leads bands with varying instrumentation. He has assembled a quartet to play 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Sotto. $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
NOVEMBER 25
Pianist Eric Byrd is a veteran of the local scene and his trio is a road tested unit that has played hundreds, if not thousands, of gigs together. The group performs music from A Charlie Brown Christmas for the whole family during 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. sets at The Hamilton. $14.75-$34.75.
NOVEMBER 26
Area vocalist Renée Tannenbaum has assembled a cast of stellar local musicians to kick off the holiday season with 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $22 + minimum and surcharge.
NOVEMBER 27
Cheick Hamala‘s Griot Street brings its West African grooves to the Bossa Bistro + Lounge. 9:30 p.m. No cover.
NOVEMBER 28
Baltimore-based saxophonist Craig Alston comes to D.C. to lead a band at Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $10 at the door.
NOVEMBER 29
Antonio Sanchez has played drums for some of the best in jazz, including luminaries Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, and Joshua Redman. He also earned much acclaim with his percussion-driven soundtrack to the film, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance). Sanchez comes to AMP with his new project, Migration, for an 8 p.m. performance. $28-$42.
Stacey Kent‘s latest album, I Know I Dream, was recorded in London with a 52-piece orchestra. The celebrated vocalist will be in a much more intimate setting as she begins a four night stand at Blues Alley. 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $45-$50 + minimum and surcharge.
NOVEMBER 30
Vocalist Rob Patrick plays Mr. Henry’s from 8 p.m.-11 p.m to sing selections from the Great American Songbook. $15 per person minimum.
Akua Allrich is one of the most charismatic performers to come out of this area. The multi-faceted vocalist brings a group of local A-listers to Sotto. 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
Drummer extraordinaire Lenny Robinson brings a band to Jojo’s from 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover.
This post has been updated to reflect that Roy Hargrove’s planned show on Nov. 6 has been cancelled. Hargrove died Friday.
