JANUARY 3
Chris Thomas King is best known for his Robert Johnson-esque role in the Coen Brothers’ O Brother Where Art Thou. A blues performer in the real world, King kicks off a four night run of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $25-$30 + minimum and surcharge.
Vocalist Linda Harris and pianist Felipe Ricardo Paccagnella co-lead a band at Twins Jazz that brings together jazz, blues, and Afro-Brazilian influences. 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + minimum/surcharge.
Local Ethiopian jazz ensemble Feedel Band continues its monthly residency at the Bossa Bistro + Lounge with a 9:30 p.m. set. $10 at the door.
JANUARY 4
Steve Novosel has been one of the area’s first-call bassists for decades and is quite simply one of the finest musicians D.C. has ever produced. He’ll lead a band of equally respected locals at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $5 at the door.
47SOUL is a Jordanian band that plays a genre it has dubbed “shamstep,” which blends the street music of that part of the Middle East with electronic and hip-hop influences. The group plays Tropicalia at 7:30 p.m. $25 in advance/$30 at the door.
Keyboardist Bill Heid takes over the night at Jojo’s, playing with a trio from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. and a quartet from 10 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover.
JANUARY 5
Saxophonist Zet Harris leads a quartet through 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Sotto. $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
Saxophonist Brian Falkowski leads a trio at Jojo’s for the early set (6 p.m.-9 p.m.) before vocalist Landon Paddock closes the night, beginning at 10 p.m. No cover.
Batida Diferente brings its Latin jazz stylings to Mr. Henry’s. 8 p.m.-11 p.m. $15 per person minimum.
JANUARY 6
Based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Rodrigo Marim plays that country’s equivalent of country music. He’ll bring his powerful vocals to the Bossa Bistro + Lounge in support of his latest album Country Romantic. 8 p.m. $15 in advance/$25 at the door.
JANUARY 7
Vocalist Anita King plays 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $22 + minimum and surcharge.
JANUARY 8
Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness hails from Soweto, South Africa and has a contemporary take on that country’s indigenous music. The lyrics, which are sung in Zulu, Sotho, and English, are often political and comment on the state of society in modern Africa. The band plays the Millennium Stage at 6 p.m. FREE
Cal Folger Day is an American musician now based in Dublin, Ireland. The guitarist/vocalist leans in a jazzy direction and headlines a bill at Rhizome. Forgetter and The Bonk open. 8 p.m. $10.
Jose Andre, a piano prodigy at just 13 years old, plays 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. The youngster is a Bolivian native now residing in D.C. who has started touring internationally. $22 + minimum and surcharge.
JANUARY 9
Mdou Moctar is a guitarist steeped in the Tuareg traditions of the Sahara. He is the first artist to apply electronics to this culture’s music, and he is bringing his nomadic sounds to Union Stage. Horse Lords opens. 7:30 p.m. $15-$30.
Emmet Cohen is a staple in New York’s straight-ahead jazz scene, leading his own bands and serving as a sideman to jazz legends like bassist Ron Carter and saxophonist Jimmy Heath. His trio plays 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $22 + minimum/surcharge.
Trombonist Mosché brings his jazz-funk sounds to Twins Jazz for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + minimum/surcharge.
Orchester Prazevica brings its monthly Gypsy Soul Party to the Bossa Bistro + Lounge. 9 p.m. No cover.
JANUARY 10
Oud player Huda Asfour returns to the Bossa Bistro + Lounge for her Mashriq Maghrib jam session, which delves into music from Arab cultures. 8:30 p.m. $5 suggested donation.
Terence Blanchard is rightfully seen as one of the great trumpeters and jazz composers of his generation. He is a five time Grammy winner and has scored most of Spike Lee’s films. His latest band, E-Collective, starts a four night run of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $40-$45 + minimum and surcharge.
JANUARY 11
Collector’s Edition is a band that brings together some of the D.C. area’s best musicians, including trumpeter DeAndrey Howard, pianist Bob Butta, bassist Herman Burney, and drummer Lenny Robinson. The band plays Jazz Night in Southwest from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Bee Boiseau and Clarence Ward III bring groups to Jojo’s for the night’s double bill. 6 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover.
Saxophonist Brent Birckhead cut his teeth in the D.C. area before moving to New York, where he has performed with jazz luminaries and contemporary artists like Ms. Lauryn Hill and Wale. He’ll lead a band at Sotto for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
Trumpeter Kevin Cordt plays classic jazz standards from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. at Mr. Henry’s. $15 per person minimum.
Benito Gonzalez got his start in the American jazz scene during his time in D.C., where he moved from his native Venezuela. He has since relocated to New York where his career flourished, notably with a seven year run accompanying saxophonist Kenny Garrett. Gonzalez returns to D.C. with his trio, which plays two nights at Twins Jazz. 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. sets. $15 + minimum/surcharge.
JANUARY 12
Imani Grace is a familiar voice throughout the area and she’ll bring her group to Sotto for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
Vocalist Tamika Love Jones closes the night at Jojo’s from 10 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover.
JANUARY 14
Veteran guitarist Alex Skolnick brings his Conundrum trio to Blues Alley. The band features bassist Nathan Peck and drummer Matt Zebroski. 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $25 + minimum/surcharge.
JANUARY 15
Area bassist Tiffany Lloyd works with a number of local artists and steps out in front to direct her own band at Blues Alley. 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $22 + minimum/surcharge.
JANUARY 16
Lyuti Chushki, whose name translates to “hot peppers” in Bulgarian, plays the traditional music of that country using authentic instruments. The band comes to the Bossa Bistro + Lounge for a 9 p.m. set. $10 at the door.
Vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Dante Pope is January’s artist-in-residence at Strathmore. He performs a recital to present material that he’s developed during his residency. Pope will give a repeat performance on January 30. 7:30 p.m. $17.
Saxophonist Marcus Mitchell , keyboardist Marcus Young, and vocalist Marcus Canty come together to form M3, a band that plays 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $22 + minimum and surcharge.
JANUARY 18
Jazz Night in Southwest is a premier showcase for local artists who focus on acoustic jazz. The local institution celebrates its 20th anniversary with performances from a host of local all-stars, including pianists Allyn Johnson and Dick Smith, trumpeter Thad Wilson, saxophonist Paul Carr, bassist James King, and more. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $5 at the door.
West Side Story Reimagined, an album by percussionist Bobby Sanabria and his MultiVerse Big Band, is a 2019 Latin Grammy nominee for best jazz album. The recording is a loving tribute to Leonard Bernstein’s classic score and will be performed during 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. sets at the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater. $35-$40.
James “Blood” Ulmer began his career as a blues and funk guitarist before coming to New York in the early ‘70s. There, he immersed himself in the avant-garde scene, playing with free jazz pioneer Ornette Coleman. The innovative musician comes to AMP for a solo performance, a format that he has come to embrace in recent years. 8 p.m. $27-$40.
Frédéric Yonnet is an area harmonica player who has performed with Prince and Stevie Wonder. He is now music director for comedian Dave Chappelle’s Juke Joint parties. Yonnet’s band starts a three night stand of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $30 + minimum/surcharge.
Over five years have passed since we lost Chuck Brown, but the Godfather of Go-Go’s legacy lives on with the Chuck Brown Band. Alumni of his group reconvene regularly to present music associated with the D.C. legend, and they perform an 8 p.m. show at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. $25 + minimum and surcharge.
Saxophonist Dave Sewelson is a staple of New York’s downtown avant-garde scene. He has been working extensively with a free improv quartet that includes bassist William Parker and trombonist Steve Swell. The band comes to Rhizome with the Nik Francis Duo opening. 8 p.m. $20.
Shacara Rogers is a rising vocalist who won or placed highly in a number of prestigious jazz competitions while studying at Howard University. She’ll celebrate the release of her new album, 16 Moments, with 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Sotto. $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
JANUARY 19
Trumpeter JS Williams spends most of his time in New York, but also has roots in the D.C. area. He comes to town to play 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Sotto. $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
Vocalist Darcy Cooke leads a band at Jojo’s for the night’s late set. 10 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover.
JANUARY 20
Anyone who regularly walks the streets of D.C. is probably familiar with DuPont Brass, the ensemble that busks throughout the city. The group of Howard University alumni convene on the Millennium Stage at 6 p.m. FREE
JANUARY 21
Area violinist Dave Kline composes music that draws from a number of international traditions. His global sound comes to Blues Alley for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $22 + minimum/surcharge.
JANUARY 23
Lenore Raphael is a highly respected pianist in the jazz community and deserves more notoriety than she has received. Local mainstays Herman Burney (bass) and Nasar Abadey (drums) join her for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $22 + minimum/surcharge.
JANUARY 24
Traditional Togolese rhythms form the base of Dogo’s music. Already a star in his home country, he has started performing internationally and comes to the Bossa Bistro + Lounge for a 9:30 p.m. show. $10 at the door.
Clarinetist Gleb Kanasevich incorporates a heavy dose of electronics to create experimental soundscapes. He headlines an evening of avant-garde sounds at Rhizome with openers Guillermo Pizarro, Victoria Cheah, and others. 8 p.m. $10.
Roy Ayers pioneered the jazz-funk crossover sound, and his recordings gained new life through sampling on numerous hip-hop hits. The vibraphonist comes to Blues Alley for four nights of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $50-$55 + minimum/surcharge.
JANUARY 25
The District lost one of its jazz greats when saxophonist Buck Hill passed away in 2017 at 90 years old. Saxophonist and long time Ellington High School jazz director Davey Yarborough has assembled a band of local veterans to pay tribute to Hill at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Veteran vocalist Aaron L. Myers plays Mr. Henry’s from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. $15 per person minimum.
Women take control of the stage at Jojo’s as pianist/flautist Jenny Wilson leads a trio for the early set from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Trombonist Shannon Gunn’s quartet plays from 10 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover.
JANUARY 26
CARIB is the latest project from Puerto Rican saxophonist David Sanchez. The album explores the relationship between the music of West Africa and the Caribbean, blending it with the harmonies of American jazz. Sanchez’s ensemble plays 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. sets at the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater. $30-$40.
Anchored by brothers Leonardo (bass) and Alejandro (drums) Lucini, Origem is one of the finest Latin jazz ensembles the D.C. area has to offer. The band comes to Sotto for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
Sweet Something Jazz, an ensemble that recently formed in D.C., plays the late set at Jojo’s. 10 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover.
JANUARY 28
Brazilian vocalist Rose Moraes comes to Blues Alley for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $22 + minimum/surcharge.
JANUARY 29
Elijah Balbed was Chuck Brown’s saxophonist when the go-go legend passed away. Inspired by that experience, Balbed formed the JoGo Project to bring together the worlds of go-go and jazz. The band celebrates the release of its new album with 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $22 + minimum/surcharge.
JANUARY 30
Violinist Nistha Raj brings her South Asian musical showcase, the District of Raga back to the Bossa Bistro + Lounge. This month’s featured artist is Carnatic vocalist Ram Viswanathan. 8:30 p.m. $10 at the door.
Saxophonist and producer Rob Maletick splits his time between Nashville and Virginia. He has four albums out as a leader and plays material from them for his 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $22 + minimum/surcharge.
JANUARY 31
Local vocalist Cissa Paz closes out the first month of 2019 with her Brazilian stylings at the Bossa Bistro + Lounge. 10 p.m. $10 at the door.
