MARCH 5
A jazz fusion supergroup comprised of guitarist Oz Noy, drummer Dave Weckl, and bassist Jimmy Haslip performs an 8 p.m. set at Jammin’ Java. $25-$40.
Trumpeter John Lamkin is not only one of the area’s respected players, but also an educator who served on the faculty of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore for many years. His quintet plays 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $22 + minimum/surcharge.
MARCH 6
Guitar great John Scofield wrote new material and formed a new band, Combo 66, to celebrate his 66th birthday. The quartet plays The Hamilton at 8 p.m. $25-$58.
Vocalist Lena Seikaly, a local favorite, plays 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $25 + minimum/surcharge.
Ace trumpeter Carol Morgan brings a band to Twins Jazz for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + minimum/surcharge.
MARCH 7
The Little Beast in Chevy Chase is dipping its toes into the live jazz scene, beginning with veteran area saxophonist Peter Fraize and his trio, which will perform every Thursday in March from 8 p.m.-10:30 p.m. FREE
Bassist Nicole Saphos leads a trio with drummer Ele Rubenstein and guitarist John Lee at Sotto. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 in advance/$15 at the oor.
MARCH 8
Last year, DCist reported on the Boulanger Initiative, an effort aimed at shining a spotlight on female composers. The organization’s debut event, the weekend-long WoCo Festival, takes place today through Sunday at Blind Whino, coinciding with International Women’s Day. Headliners include composer Missy Mazzoli, violinist Jennifer Koh, and the Aizuri Quartet. Visit the festival website for full ticket and schedule information.
Area vocalist Sharon Clark brings her classic style to Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Dianne Reeves is a singer’s singer, and her stellar career earned her the title of NEA Jazz Master. She begins a two night stand of 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. sets at the Kennedy Center’s Family Theater. $55.
Vocalist Zo Miller plays 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Sotto. $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
The Bad Plus is one of the most inventive piano trios of recent decades. Pianist Orrin Evans recently stepped into the group’s piano chair and the revamped band comes to Blues Alley to start a three night run of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $50 + minimum/surcharge.
MARCH 9
Vocalist Debórah Bond straddles the line between jazz and R&B, creating a sound that has depth without sacrificing accessibility. She plays 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Sotto. $20 in advance/$25 at the door.
Vocalist Maija Rejman plays Mr. Henry’s from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. $15 per person minimum.
MARCH 10
Avant-garde legend and saxophonist David Murray plays an early set at Rhizome that includes a solo performance and selections with a trio that features a local rhythm section comprised of Luke Stewart (bass) and Trae Crudup (drums). 5 p.m. $20.
Pianist Amy K. Bormet was a fixture on the local scene before moving out west to spend a few years in L.A. One thing she kept up with while she was away is curating and directing the Washington Women In Jazz Festival. The kickoff concert takes place tonight at AMP with a performance by performers who were featured in previous years. Chamber jazz ensemble Arco Belo and pianist Clarice Assad will be featured guests. 7 p.m. $20-35. Visit the WWJF’s website for full schedule and ticketing information.
MARCH 11
Cloudburst is a relatively new vocal-driven group under the direction of veteran area pianist Wayne Wilentz. The band comes to Blues Alley for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $22 + minimum/surcharge.
MARCH 13
The B.A.D. Trio, comprised of pianist Bob Butta, bassist Amy Shook, and trumpeter DeAndrey Howard, all area veterans, plays Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $10 at the door.
Colle Parte is a trio comprised of Daniel Barbiero (bass), Perry Conticchio (reeds), and Rich O’Meara (vibes and percussion). The group shares the bill with experimental bassist Matt Nelson at Rhizome. 8 p.m. $10.
Samuel Prather is a talented multi-instrumentalist whose Groove Orchestra is made up of some of the area’s top players. The band celebrates the release of its latest album with 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $22 + minimum/surcharge.
MARCH 14
Pianist/vocalist Loston Harris interprets the Great American Songbook at AMP. 8 p.m. $25-$40.
Latin jazz legend Eddie Palmieri comes to Blues Alley to start a four night stand of 8 p.m.-10 p.m. sets. $55-$60 + minimum/surcharge.
MARCH 15
Jazz Night in Southwest hosts a flute summit featuring Bill Haymon, Arch Thompson, and Jamal Brown. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Renowned trumpeter Nicholas Payton comes to the Kennedy Center to play selections from his latest album, Afro-Caribbean Mixtape. 7 p.m. $30-$40.
Trumpter Donvonte McCoy’s quintet is one of the tightest jazz combos the area has to offer. The band comes to Sotto for 8 p.m.-10 p.m. sets. $20 in advance/$25 at the door.
Red Baraat combines the infectious rhythms of South Asian bhangra music with the horn-driven intensity of a New Orleans brass band. The band is on tour to celebrate the Indian festival of Holi, and comes to The Hamilton with opener Vidya Vox. 8 p.m. $20-$25.
The Abbey Road Jazz Ensemble puts The Beatles’ music into a swinging jazz context. The local band plays Mr. Henry’s from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. $15 per person minimum.
Guitarist Dave Manley has recorded or performed with the likes of Jill Scott and Raheem DeVaughn. He returns to his jazz roots with at Jojo’s performing with his band from 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover.
MARCH 16
Dr. Lonnie Smith brings his fiery B-3 organ sound to Sixth & I Synagogue for an 8 p.m. set. The NEA Jazz Master is touring with his trio in support of a new live album, All In My Mind. $42.
Area saxophonist Herb Scott comes to Sotto for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
Nate Smith has a totally unique approach to the drums that has made him a sought after accompanist by artists in a number of different genres. He also leads his own band, KINFOLK, that comes to the Kennedy Center’s Crossroads Club with special guest vocalist Van Hunt. 9 p.m. $29.
MARCH 17
Saxophonist Lionel Lyles leads a quartet from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. at Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. $10 at the door.
Bobby Muncy was a fixture on the local scene before moving to Michigan a couple years ago. He returns to the District for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. $10 + minimum/surcharge.
MARCH 18
Paul Carr and Marshall Keys, both saxophonists, have each been local mainstays for decades. They team up to co-lead a band through 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $22 + minimum/surcharge.
MARCH 19
Cheikh Hamala brings his infectious West African grooves to Bossa Bistro + Lounge. 9 p.m. No cover.
MARCH 20
Collectif Metz Bazar is an ensemble that draws from French, Armenian, and Turkish traditions. The band plays Bossa Bistro + Lounge at 9 p.m. $20 at the door.
MARCH 21
Trombonist Shannon Gunn leads an all female ensemble at the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Kogod Courtyard as part of the Washington Women in Jazz Festival. The band pays tribute to legendary jazz composer/pianist Carla Bley. 5 p.m.-7 p.m. FREE
Kevin Eubanks, best known for his role as the bandleader on Jay Leno’s long-running late night talk show, comes to Blues Alley with his band for four nights of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $35-$40 + minimum/surcharge.
MARCH 22
Vocalist and area favorite Rochelle Rice has been a Strathmore artist-in-residence, was named “Best Jazz Vocalist” by the Washington City Paper, and won the Bernard Ebb Songwriting Award in 2018. She comes to AMP for an 8 p.m. show. $15-$30.
The Washington Women in Jazz Festival teams up with CapitalBop to present the Carla Bley Trio at the Atlas. At 82 years old, Bley continues her trailblazing career and this marks her trio’s first appearance in recent memory. The NEA Jazz Master has been a fixture within New York’s jazz community since the 1960s, where she helped establish the Jazz Composer’s Guild. She is also one of the foundational artists on ECM Records, the preeminent European jazz label. Bley performs an 8 p.m. show with bassist Steve Swallow and saxophonist Andy Sheppard. 8 p.m. $20-$25.
MARCH 23
Award winning area pianist and vocalist Mark Meadows leads his band, The Movement, through 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Sotto. $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
Local afro-pop band Elikeh shares the stage with fusion violinist Dave Kline’s band at Gypsy Sally’s. 8:30 p.m. $15-$17.
Sitarist Anoushka Shankar has explored many genres, including electronic and flamenco, during her 20-year career. She returns to her classical Indian roots at Sixth & I Synagogue for 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. sets. $40.
MARCH 24
Pianist Joe Vetter’s band plays 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. $10 + minimum/surcharge.
MARCH 25
DIRECT CURRENT, the Kennedy Center’s festival celebrating contemporary culture, begins its second iteration tonight and continues through April 7.
Three years have passed and we’re still not over the loss of Bohemian Caverns. Thankfully, the historic club’s legacy lives on through its namesake jazz orchestra, which operates under the direction of trumpeter Joe Herrera and saxophonist Brad Linde. The BCJO lends its presence to the Washington Women in Jazz Festival to perform the material of and along with composer/vocalist Jihye Lee. The show takes place at Blues Alley with 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $22 + minimum/surcharge.
MARCH 26
Trumpeter and Israeli native Avishai Cohen has drawn critical praise around the world for his innovative and varied compositions. His latest ensemble comes to Blues Alley for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $25 + minimum/surcharge.
MARCH 27
Prolific area trombonist Reginald Cyntje brings a group to Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $10 at the door.
Acclaimed Cuban vocalist Dayme Arocena play 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $25 + minimum/surcharge.
MARCH 28
Three Man Soul Machine, a sax/drums/organ trio under the direction of saxophonist and Thievery Corporation alum Frank Mitchell, Jr., plays 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Sotto. $10 in advance/$15 at the door.
Smooth jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour begins four nights of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $50-$55 + minimum/surcharge.
MARCH 29
Maurice Lyles was a prolific area drummer who passed away in 2015 at 88 years old. An ensemble of local all-stars will lead a musical remembrance to Lyles at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Washington Women in Jazz Festival founder and director Amy K. Bormet leads her band, Ephemera at Montpelier Mansion. 8 p.m. $25.
Todd Marcus’s music has a unique sound not only because of his instrument, the bass clarinet, but also because his compositions often draw from his Egyptian heritage. The Baltimore resident brings a band to Jojo’s, performing from 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover.
MARCH 30
Clarence “Bluesman” Turner has been working area stages for decades. His band comes to Sotto for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
MARCH 31
Amy Bormet met Swedish woodwind artist Biggi Vinkeloe and drummer Tina Raymond through a jazz exchange program, and thus The Harold Trio was born. The group closes the Washington Women in Jazz Festival with an album release show at the Goethe Institute. 2 p.m. FREE
