DECEMBER 3
The Clarice hosts the University of Maryland jazz program’s annual Winter Big Band Showcase, featuring the school’s top student ensembles. 7:30 p.m. FREE.
Robert Glasper helped develop and grow the nu-jazz movement, which uses jazz as its core, but then incorporates influences from throughout the African American experience. Glasper’s band plays a 7:30 p.m. show at The Birchmere. $59.50.
The Monk Competition is one of the most prominent jazz performance competitions in the world. This year’s event, which features pianists, takes place Sunday at the Kennedy Center and the finalists will perform in a gala concert that will also features a number of renowned artists, including Terri Lyne Carrington, Jimmy Heath, and many more. 7:30 p.m. $35-$125.
DECEMBER 4
Love him or hate him, Kenny G has had a decades long career and just keeps on truckin’. The smooth jazz superstar plays his hits and holiday favorites at the Music Center at Strathmore. 8 p.m. $48-$128.
Brothers Chuck Redd (vibraphone/drums) and Robert Redd (piano) have been mainstays of the local jazz scene for decades. The brothers join fellow local all-stars Tommy Cecil (bass) and Tony Martucci (drums) at The Hamilton for an evening of seasonal favorites. 8 p.m. $15-$39.95.
Wammy award-winning band Veronneau plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $25 + minimum and surcharge.
DECEMBER 5
Chaise Lounge is a long-running local ensemble that will play its holiday favorites at Blues Alley. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $25 + minimum and surcharge.
DECEMBER 6
Freddy Cole may not be as well known as his celebrated brother, Nat King Cole, but he’s every bit as talented and has the career longevity to prove it. He begins a four night run of 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $30-$35 + minimum/surcharge.
DECEMBER 7
Dial 251 for Jazz plays Mr. Henry’s from 8 to 11 p.m. $15 per person minimum.
Lenny Robinson is one of the area’s best drummers and has been a first call for many years. He steps out to lead a band at Sotto. 8 p.m. to midnight. $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
Brazilian vocalist and regular Thievery Corporation collaborator Bebel Gilberto plays a 7:30 p.m. show at The Birchmere. $45.
Tony Martucci has long been one of the DMV’s most in-demand jazz drummers. Over the last few years, he has been stepping out as a bandleader with more frequency. His group plays 9 and 11 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz tonight and tomorrow. $15 + minimum/surcharge.
DECEMBER 8
Rhizome hosts an evening of experimental music that includes Heart of the Ghost, a free improvisational quartet comprised of area musicians Jarrett Gilgore (alto sax), Luke Stewart (bass), and Ian McColm (drums). The bill also includes the cello-based Tee Tree Trio, and movement artist Peter Redgrave. 8 p.m. $10 at the door.
Jason Moran, the Kennedy Center’s artistic director for jazz, pays tribute to one of the genre’s pioneers, James Reese Europe, at the venue’s Eisenhower Theater. 8 p.m. $29-$69.
Batida Diferente brings its Latin jazz sounds to Mr. Henry’s from 8 to 11 p.m. $15 per person minimum.
DECEMBER 9
Norwegian free jazz saxophonist Frode Gjerstad brings his trio to Rhizome to headline a bill that also includes local avant-garde ensemble Trio OOO. 8 p.m. $15.
Vocalist Steve Washington brings his group to Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 to 9 p.m. $10 at the door.
DECEMBER 10
The Bossa Bistro + Lounge presents the Danube Sessions, featuring the Baltimore-based Orchester Praževica. The monthly event showcases contemporary interpretations of the Slovak, Balkan, and Gypsy musics that rose along that great river’s watershed. 10 p.m. No cover.
DECEMBER 12
DC JAZZ: Stories of Jazz Music in Washington, DC is a book that traces our fair city’s contribution to this great American art form. The DC Music Salon hosts its authors for a discussion at the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Neighborhood Library. 7 p.m. FREE.
Paul Carr, a world class saxophonist and one of the area’s best jazz educators, will play a holiday set at Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 to 9 p.m. $10 at the door.
DECEMBER 13
Trumpeter Charmaine Michelle leads an all-female quintet at Twins Jazz. The ensemble includes trombonist Shannon Gunn, bassist Cyndy Elliot, pianist Sein Oh, and drummer Sherrita Harris. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $15 + minimum/surcharge.
DECEMBER 14
Step Afrika!’s annual holiday step show is a highlight of the season with performances throughout the month at The Atlas, beginning with today’s 2 p.m. matinee. $25-$45.
Pianist Vince Evans brings together a crew of the area’s best at Jazz Night in Southwest to pay tribute to the late, great Lena Horne. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Quiana Lynell won the 2017 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, signaling that her star is on the rise. Catch the up-and-comer as she plays 7 and 9 p.m. sets at the Kennedy Center. $20.
Lucas Brode is a guitarist and composer who is active in New York’s experimental music scene. He joins the vibraphone/electronic duo of Shelly Purdy and Will Redman, who hail from Baltimore, as well as the percussion duo of Nik Frances and Nate Scheible, for an 8 p.m. show at Rhizome. $10 at the door.
NEA Jazz Master Wynton Marsalis leads the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra tonight and tomorrow at the Music Center at Strathmore. The holiday program features special guest vocalists Vuyo Sotashe and Veronica Swift. 8 p.m. $58-$108.
Area trombonist Greg Boyer joined George Clinton’s P-Funk at age 19 and his impressive credits also include work with Prince, Chuck Brown, Maceo Parker, and many more. Boyer’s band, Peloton, comes to Sotto for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
DECEMBER 15
Vocalist Imani Grace Cooper plays the lates set at Jojo’s with guest saxophonist Tedd Baker. 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover.
Michael Kramer, who plays guitar in the U.S. Army Band, celebrates the release of his new album, Superstring & The Cosmic Vibrations, with a 7 p.m. set at Bossa Bistro + Lounge. $10 at the door.
Rhizome is holding a year-end fundraiser featuring a number of its most prominent performers, including saxophonist Sarah Hughes, percussionist Ian McColm, and visual artist Khalid Thompson. 8 p.m. $20.
DECEMBER 16
Smooth jazz saxophonist Gerald Albright comes to the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club for a seasonal concert. His daughter, Selina Albright, will be the featured guest vocalist. 7 p.m. $59.50-$79.50 + minimum/surcharge.
Saxophonist Brad Linde performs with a number of groups. His latest project, the Therapy Band, comes to Twins Jazz for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + minimum/surcharge.
DECEMBER 17
The local jazz community still misses the creative and social hub that was Bohemian Caverns. Thankfully, the club’s name and spirit lives on through the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra, still under the direction of saxophonist Brad Linde and trumpeter Joe Herrera. The band plays jazz arrangements of holiday favorites, including Duke Ellington’s arrangement of The Nutcracker Suite, at The Atlas. 8 p.m. $13-$25.
Trumpeter Dave Detweiler served in the U.S. Army Band for nearly 30 years, retiring in 2000. During that time, he was the musical director for events held at the White House. He continues to perform and teach in the area and will play holiday sets at Blues Alley. 8 and 10 p.m. $22 + minimum surcharge.
DECEMBER 18
MC Kurtis Blow charted rap’s first gold record in 1980 with “The Breaks.” He’ll be one of many performers in The Hip Hop Nutcracker, a production that recontextualizes the Tchaikovsky masterpiece using hip-hop sounds and choreography. The show takes place tonight and tomorrow night at the Music Center at Strathmore. 8 p.m. $30-$60.
DECEMBER 19
Guitarist Elijah Cole performs at Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $10 at the door.
DECEMBER 20
Area smooth jazz keyboardist Marcus Johnson brings his holiday program to Blues Alley for the first of a four night residency. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $30-$35 + minimum/surcharge.
DECEMBER 21
Keyboardist Benjie Porecki leads a band at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Alison Crockett is a dynamic vocalist whose nimble voice can fit into a variety of genres. She has been exploring Brazilian music of late and is sure to touch on that rich tradition as she plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Sotto. $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
Area vocalist Rob Patrick performs at Mr. Henry’s from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. $15 per person minimum.
Marvin is starting to host a number of local jazz musicians who focus on a more groove-oriented sound. Talented multi-instrumentalist Sam Prather brings a quartet to the venue from 8 to 11:30 p.m. No cover.
DECEMBER 22
Area favorite Lena Seikaly plays The Alex from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. $20 minimum, reservations recommended.
Respected area drummer Nate Jolley often performs with his twin brother, pianist Noble Jolley, but he’ll be directing his own band tonight at Sotto. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
DECEMBER 23
The Messthetics is a band that brought together Fugazi’s celebrated rhythm section of bassist Joe Lally and drummer Brendan Canty, along with atmospheric guitarist Anthony Pirog. The result is a sound that combines the energy of punk with the sophistication of progressive rock and jazz. The band plays the Black Cat with openers Elmapi and Blacks’ Myths. 7:30 p.m. doors. $13-$15.
Kirk Whalum got his start as Whitney Houston’s opening act, and even played the saxophone solo on her hit cover of “I Will Always Love You.” The smooth jazz star brings a band to the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club for a concert that blends jazz and holiday music with a gospel twist. Groundbreaking percussionist Sheila E. is a featured guest. 3 and 7 p.m. sets. $59.50-$69.50 + minimum/surcharge.
DECEMBER 24
Trumpeter and area mainstay Joe Herrera and long time collaborator Rodney Richardson team up for a Christmas Eve jam at Blues Alley. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $22 + minimum and surcharge.
DECEMBER 25
The Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage hosts its 20th annual All-Star Christmas Day Jazz Jam, which features a band comprised of the best D.C. has to offer. 6 p.m. FREE.
DECEMBER 26
World renowned pianist Cyrus Chestnut has turned an end-of-year residency at Blues Alley into an annual tradition. He begins a six night stand that culminates in a New Year’s Eve celebration at the historic club, featuring vocalist Integriti Reeves as an opener. $40-$160 + minimum/surcharge.
DECEMBER 27
Bassist Ben Williams is an area native who has performed with some of the finest in jazz, including Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis, and many others. He also won the prestigious Monk Competition in 2009. Williams returns home with his band to perform a holiday set at The Hamilton. 8 p.m. $20-$45.
DECEMBER 28
Aaron Myers, one of the city’s busiest vocalists, comes to Mr. Henry’s. 8 p.m.11 p.m. $15 per person minimum.
Federico Peña has performed with Meshell N’Degeocello, jazz great George Duke, legendary bassists Stanley Clarke and Victor Wooten, and many more luminaries. He also runs his own group, which plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Sotto. $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
If you miss Joe Herrera at Blues Alley, you’ll have a second chance to check out his excellent new band, Remix, at Marvin. The band plays a hybrid jazz that incorporates electronic textures over funky grooves, all topped with a healthy dose of improvisation. 8 p.m.-11:30 p.m. No cover.
DECEMBER 29
Singer Bonnie Harris brings her classic style to The Alex from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. $20 minimum, reservations recommended.
D.C. is not often cited for its blues scene, but it does boast world class musicians like Clarence “Bluesman” Turner, who will perform 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Sotto. $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
DECEMBER 30
Vocalist Iva Ambush plays Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $10 at the door.
DECEMBER 31
The Kennedy Center hosts a jazz concert every New Year’s Eve. This year, Patti Austin performs with drummer Trevor Lawrence Jr. in a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald. 7 and 9 p.m. sets. $79-$89. Ticket holders will also be able to attend a free 10 p.m. show on the Millennium Stage featuring Elijah Jamal Balbed’s JoGo Project and Wesley Bright & The Honeytones.
Vocalist Eugenie Jones rings in 2019 at Twins Jazz. $85 + minimum/surcharge.
