MAY 1
Herb Alpert first rose to prominence in the ’60s as the leader of the Tijuana Brass. He went on to become a powerful record executive as the “A” in A&M Records, whose catalog includes The Police, The Carpenters, The Go-Gos, and dozens of other platinum selling acts. The 84-year-old trumpeter has returned to performing in recent years, and appears at City Winery with his wife, vocalist Lani Hall. $48-$65.
Chris Potter is one of the finest saxophonists working today. He leads a trio at Blues Alley that includes keyboardist James Francies and powerhouse drummer Nate Smith. 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $30 + minimum/surcharge.
MAY 2
Sullivan Fortner is considered one of the finest pianists of the millennial generation. The New Orleans native leads his trio at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. The opening set by the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Youth Orchestra, whose director Fred Foss recently passed away, will feature Fortner as a guest. 7 p.m. $25-$50.
Vocalist Alicia Olatuja gained attention as a featured soloist with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. She has since played many prominent jazz venues and festivals in North America, and stops at MilkBoy ArtHouse for 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. sets. $25-$30.
Baltimore-based saxophonist Clarence Ward III has played with legends like Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight. He brings a band to Sotto for 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. sets. $10 in advance/$15 at the show.
Area guitarist Ken Avis highlights the local jazz community on his radio program, Antidote, which airs Tuesday mornings on WERA 96.7 FM. He is presenting a collection of the area’s finest at the Mansion at Strathmore, including the Dave Kline Band, vocalists Cissa Paz and Alison Crockett, guitarist Christian Perez, and his own band, Veronneau. 7:30 p.m. $30.
Tuck & Patti have been partners onstage and off for over 35 years. The celebrated guitar/vocal duo plays 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets tonight and tomorrow at Blues Alley. $30-$35 + minimum/surcharge.
MAY 3
Bassist Michael Bowie directs the Blues Alley Youth Orchestra at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Smooth jazz saxophonist Najee plays The Birchmere at 7:30 p.m. $45.
Dial 251 for Jazz plays Mr. Henry’s from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. $15 per person minimum.
Veteran local saxophonist Jeff Antoniuk brings his longtime quartet, The Jazz Update, to Twins Jazz for two nights of 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. sets. New York-based saxophonist Russ Nolan appears as a guest soloist. $15 + minimum/surcharge.
Lenny Robinson has long been one of the area’s first call drummers. His band plays the late set at Jojo’s. 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover.
MAY 4
Pianist Angelica Sanchez is a composer who draws from a number of musical traditions. Her nonet, which is one of the most daring ensembles working in jazz, makes its D.C. debut as part of CapitalBop’s Traveling Loft series. The 8 p.m. performance takes place in the Abramson Auditorium at NYU Washington with drummer Nasar Abadey’s trio playing an opening set. $10-$15.
Batida Diferente brings its Brazilian sounds to Mr. Henry’s. 8 p.m.-11 p.m. $15 per person minimum.
Italian born and world renowned jazz vocalist Roberta Gambarini brings her timeless voice to Blues Alley tonight and tomorrow for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $25-$30 + minimum/surcharge.
MAY 5
Bassist Stephan Crump rose to prominence playing with the acclaimed pianist Vijay Iyer. For nearly 15 years, he has also led the all-string Rosetta Trio, which includes guitarists Liberty Ellman and Jamie Fox. The group comes to Rhizome for an 8 p.m. set. $20.
Guitarist Nelson Dougherty plays 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. $10 + minimum/surcharge.
MAY 6
Drummer Tyler Leak leads his band, Freeform, at Marvin. 7 p.m.-10 p.m. No cover.
Acclaimed Dutch pianist Peter Beets leads a trio through 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $25 + minimum/surcharge.
MAY 7
Smooth jazz keyboardist Brian Simpson brings a band to Blues Alley for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $25 + minimum/surcharge.
MAY 8
Chirgilchin is an ensemble from Tuva, a small Russian province north of Mongolia. The monotone throat singing native to the region is meditative and evokes the steppes of Central Asia. Formed in 1996, Chirgilchin have mastered this approach to music and they will join Yuliyana, who hails from Russia’s Sakha Republic, for a performance at Rhizome. Kamyar Arsani, a locally based Iranian musician opens the evening. 8 p.m. $20.
Five Armenian instrumentalists came together in 2004 to form The Cadence Ensemble. The quintet plays original compositions and arrangements of well-known works in a uniquely Armenian style. The Cadence Ensemble performs at Bossa Bistro + Lounge. 8 p.m. $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
At 90 years old, saxophonist Benny Golson is among the last of his generation who helped define the hardbop sound of the 1950s and ‘60s. “Killer Joe,” “I Remember Clifford,” “Along Came Betty,” “Whisper Not,” “Stablemates,” and “Blues March” are Golson compositions that became jazz standards. The jazz legend comes to Blues Alley for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $35 + minimum/surcharge.
MAY 9
Mary Wilson, a founding member of The Supremes, is still singing and comes to Blues Alley tonight and tomorrow for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $60-$65 + minimum/surcharge.
Named the area’s best trombonist by Washington City Paper, Shannon Gunn leads one of her many groups through 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. $10 + minimum/surcharge.
MAY 10
Saxophonist Herb Scott leads a group of area regulars at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $5 at the door.
The Kennedy Center hosts its annual Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival tonight and tomorrow. The festival opens with a group of all-star musicians under the direction of drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, including pianist Jason Moran and bassist Dave Holland, who will pay tribute to the late great pianist Geri Allen. 7 p.m. $40-$45.
Pianist and jazz legend Chick Corea teams up with banjoist Béla Fleck for performance at the Music Center at Strathmore. The two have been collaborating for intimate duo concerts for about a decade, resulting in a live double album, Two. 8 p.m. $35-$75.
Steve Swell is a highly regarded trombonist and music educator in New York, equally at home playing in the big bands of Lionel Hampton and Buddy Rich, or with avant-gardists like Anthony Braxton and Cecil Taylor. His trio with drummer Jay Rosen and bassist Dominic Duval, Jr. comes to Rhizome for an 8 p.m. show. $20.
Brian Settles, one of D.C.’s finest saxophonists, plays Jojo’s from 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover.
MAY 11
The Funk Parade, now under new leadership, takes over U Street for its sixth iteration—this time with its own beer. $10 and $20 wristbands get you priority entrance to a number of area venues hosting evening events from 7 p.m.-11 p.m. and/or the 8 p.m. featured showcase taking place at the Historic Prince Hall Lodge. The free street festival takes place from 1 p.m.-7 p.m.; the parade happens at 5 p.m.
Night Two of the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival at The Kennedy Center features ensembles led by pianists Joanne Brackeen (an NEA Jazz Master) and Renee Rosnes. 7 p.m. $40-$45.
Vocalist Eddie Anderson leads a group at Mr. Henry’s. 8 p.m.-11 p.m. $15 per person minimum.
Consider The Source is a fusion ensemble whose leans on instrumental virtuosity with a sci-fi sheen. The band plays Gypsy Sally’s with local guitarist Garrett Gleason opening. 8:30 p.m. $15.
Ace drummer Kelton Norris plays an early 6 p.m. set at Jojo’s with his band. No cover.
Bill Charlap became known in the 1990s as an accompanist to jazz greats like Phil Woods, Gerry Mulligan, and Tony Bennett. He has a long-running trio that includes drummer Kenny Washington, which comes to Blues Alley for a two-night stand of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $35-$40 + minimum/surcharge.
MAY 12
Woodwind artist Chip Shelton plays 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. $10 + minimum/surcharge.
MAY 13
Area guitarists Anthony Pirog, Dave Chappell, and Joel Harrison, are from different generations but share one common trait: a love for classic Fender Telecaster guitars. Coming together as The Spell Casters, they explore the storied instrument’s range through 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $22 + minimum/surcharge.
MAY 14
Local world jazz guitarist Sanjay Mishra brings a band to Blues Alley for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $22 + minimum/surcharge.
MAY 15
Smooth jazz saxophonist Mike Phillips plays 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $25 + minimum/surcharge.
Guitarist Rob Coltun, an owner of Bossa Bistro + Lounge, plays in many bands around town. His latest effort is The Tributary Project, an ensemble comprised of local musicians who come from a variety of international backgrounds. The band’s music draws from Congolese, Kenyan, Malian, and Indian traditions and it plays Bossa at 9:30 p.m. No cover.
MAY 16
Nylon string guitarist Joe Barbieri draws from traditions that include classic French jazz, bossa nova, and Italian classical music. He plays the Millennium Stage at 6 p.m. FREE
Kenny Garrett came up in the 1980s playing with jazz legends like Miles Davis and Art Blakey. He is now considered one of the genre’s greats in his own right and brings a quintet to Blues Alley for a five night run of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $35-$40 + minimum/surcharge.
MAY 17
The National Gallery of Art’s Jazz in the Garden—or as we prefer to call it, Getting-Sloshed-on-Sangria-Whilst-Jazz-Plays-in-the-Background in the Garden—is one of D.C.’s most popular concert series. This year’s performances begin with the Brazilian sounds of Rob Curto’s Forro For All. 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. FREE
Vocalist Mike Thornton pays tribute to the late jazz singer Mel Torme at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Area drummer Quincy Phillips has played with giants like Roy Hargrove and Christian McBride. His band, Chicken Grease, plays 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. sets at Sotto. $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
Guitarist Phillip Thomas plays Mr. Henry’s from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. $15 per person minimum.
MAY 18
Bolero is a style of romantic ballad that became popular in Latin America during the 1950s. Bossa Bistro + Lounge hosts an evening of boleros with the sextet Miramar, featuring the vocal duo of Rei Alvarez and Laura Ann Singh with compositions and arrangements by Sylvia Rexach. 7:30 p.m. $15.
Saxophone legend Maceo Parker got his big break playing with James Brown in the 1960s, followed by work with Parliament-Funkadelic in the ‘70s and extended runs with Prince. Parker has lead his own bands throughout this time and brings his latest group to The Birchmere. 7:30 p.m. $45.
Trumpeter JS Williams has performed with Bilal, Gregory Porter, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, and Chuck Brown, just to name a few. He leads a band through 7:30 and 9 p.m. sets at Sotto. $20 in advance/$25 at the door.
Veteran area saxophonist Frankie Addison leads a group at Marvin. 8 p.m.-11 p.m. No cover.
Vocalist/keyboardist Kiyem Ade’s group plays Jojo’s from 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover.
MAY 19
Soledad “La Sole” Pastorutti is an Argentine singer who is credited with reviving that country’s folk music among younger audiences. She is currently supporting her latest album with a U.S. tour and plays an 8 p.m. concert at The Howard Theatre. $65-$105.
Sea-Change is forward looking local ensemble that includes saxophonist Sarah Hughes, ace drummer Kelton Norris, and others. The band plays 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz.
MAY 20
Drummer Dante Pope leads an ensemble at Marvin. 7 p.m.-10 p.m. No cover.
MAY 21
Unexpected Italy is a festival the Kennedy Center is hosting through much of May to celebrate that nation’s storied history. Mario Biondi is one of Italy’s most famous voices and he performs at the Center’s Terrace Theater. 7:30 p.m. $25.
MAY 22
Area saxophonist Steven B. plays jazz with a heavy gospel influence. His band plays 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $22 + minimum/surcharge.
MAY 23
Kromanauts is a local band that draws from a number of international dance genres. The group shares a bill with local vocalist Candice Mills at Bossa Bistro + Lounge. 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
MAY 24
Saxophonist Fred Foss, who passed away in late April, was a giant in the local jazz community. A respected educator, he mentored many of D.C.’s best jazz musician. Foss was supposed to lead tonight’s group at Jazz Night in Southwest, but instead the performance will be a musical memorial to the respected musician. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Brazilian jazz vocalist Elin plays 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. sets at Sotto. $20 in advance/$25 at the door.
Mousey Thompson played with James Brown for a number of years and pays tribute to the late funk legend through 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $25 + minimum/surcharge.
Busy area trumpeter Joe Herrera leads his jazz/electronic hybrid band, Remix, at Marvin. 8 p.m.-11 p.m. No cover.
Vocalist and area mainstay Aaron Myers plays Mr. Henry’s from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. $15 per person minimum.
Vocalist Linda Harris and pianist Felipe Ricardo Paccagnella co-lead a group through two nights of 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. The band plays original compositions and colorful arrangements of jazz standards. $15 + minimum/surcharge.
MAY 25
Roy Ayers began his career in the 1960s as a jazz vibraphonist, but in the ‘70s and ‘80s developed a crossover sound that led him to becoming one of the most sampled artists in music history. He comes to City Winery tonight and tomorrow for early 6 p.m. sets. $45-$55.
Vocalist Maija Rejman plays Mr. Henry’s from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. $15 per person minimum.
Lori Williams is not only one of the area’s best jazz vocalists, she is also a respected music educator. Her band plays 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $30 + minimum/surcharge.
Singer Tamika Love Jones brings a band to Jojo’s. 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover.
MAY 26
Smooth jazz saxophonist Walter Beasley plays a 7:30 p.m. set at The Birchmere. $45.
Simona Molinari has a classic style reminiscent of American jazz singers of the 1940s and ‘50s. She plays the Kennedy Center’s Family Theater as part of the Unexpected Italy festival. 7:30 p.m. $25.
This Mother’s Daughter is a 1976 album by the late jazz diva Nancy Wilson, who departed from her more traditional style to incorporate funk and fusion elements on the recording. Area favorite Akua Allrich will play material from the album in tribute to Wilson during her 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $25 + minimum/surcharge.
MAY 27
Guitarist Zach Cutler leads a band at Marvin from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. No cover.
MAY 28
Doctor 3 is a trio comprised of Danilo Rea (piano), Enzo Pietropaoli (bass), and Fabrizio Sferra (drums). The long-running band is one of Italy’s best known jazz ensembles and it plays the Kennedy Center’s Family Theater at 7:30 p.m. Part of the Unexpected Italy festival. $25.
Up-and-coming vibraphonist Joel Ross and his band come to Blues Alley. The ensemble includes area native Kush Abadey on drums. 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $25 + minimum/surcharge.
MAY 29
New York saxophonist Brian Krock comes to Twins Jazz with a quintet in support of his latest album, LIDDLE. 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $10 at the door.
MAY 30
Smooth jazz star and local favorite Marcus Johnson plays a 6 p.m. set at City Winery. $30-$45.
Jazzy Mob is a collaboration between singer-songwriter Drew Davidsen and some of the finest players from the crossover/smooth jazz world. The band plays 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets tonight and tomorrow at Blues Alley. $40-$45 + minimum/surcharge.
MAY 31
Blues guitarist and vocalist Billy Price plays Jazz in the Garden. 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m. FREE
Long a favorite here at DCist, vocalist Lena Seikaly leads a stellar group of local musicians at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Busy area saxophonist and jazz advocate Herb Scott plays Mr. Henry’s from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. $15 per person minimum.
New York-based musicians Randal Despommier (alto sax) and Jason Yeager (piano) co-lead a quintet through two nights of original music at Twins Jazz. 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. sets. $15 + minimum/surcharge.
