July 1
Drummer Tyler Leak leads his group, Freeform, at Marvin. 7 p.m.-10 p.m. No cover.
CapitalBop’s Traveling Loft Series presents bills pairing some of jazz’s most cutting edge musicians with local talent deserving of wider recognition. Tonight, the DIY jazz presenter teams up with NPR’s Jazz Night in America to host a concert featuring bassist Linda May Han Oh and her latest ensemble, an octet called Aventurine, at NPR’s Studio One. The ensemble combines a traditional jazz quartet with a classical string quartet to rewarding ends. Local saxophonist/composer Billy Wolfe opens with his own octet. 7:30 p.m. $10-$15.
Saxophonists Paul Carr and Adam Larson co-lead a quintet at Blues Alley. 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $22 + minimum/surcharge.
July 2
Choro is a Brazilian genre that rose out of the many folk traditions present in that diverse country. A quartet comprised of some of Brasilia’s finest choro musicians comes to the Bossa Bistro + Lounge for a 7 p.m. set. $10 at the door.
Blues guitarist Memphis Gold and vocalist Sir Chili Bill Rankins pay tribute to soul legend Otis Redding at Blues Alley. 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $22 + minimum/surcharge.
47SOUL dubs its style of music as “Shamstep,” which mixes traditional Palestinian folk music with electronic beats, funky bass lines, and rock guitar. The quartet, whose lyrics are delivered in both Arabic and English, has a large following in the Middle East and Europe. 47SOUL comes to AMP for a 9 p.m. show. $26-$31.
July 3
A jam session is always a good way to get plugged into the local jazz community, and Mr. Henry’s hosts one of the best every Wednesday night from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. No cover.
As he does every year around the 4th of July, area bandleader Eric Felten leads his jazz orchestra at Blues Alley through two sets of classic big band tunes that were popular during World War II. 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $30 + minimum/surcharge.
Carol Morgan is a trumpeter worthy of much wider recognition. Her quartet comes to Twins Jazz for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + minimum/surcharge.
July 4
The Feedel Band plays an infectious form of jazz that took root in Ethiopia during the 1970s and ‘80s. The band celebrates Independence Day with its monthly date at the Bossa Bistro + Lounge. 9:30 p.m. $10 at the door.
July 5
Warren Wolf, a talented vibraphonist and drummer out of Baltimore, brings his Wolfpack to Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Dial 251 for Jazz plays Mr. Henry’s from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. $15 per person minimum.
Drummer Nate Jolley leads his quartet at Jojo’s from 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover.
Baltimore trumpeter Clarence Ward III plays 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. sets tonight and tomorrow at Twins Jazz. $15 + minimum/surcharge.
July 6
An ace local drummer and longtime member of late, great trumpeter Roy Hargrove’s band, Quincy Phillips leads his own unit through 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. sets at Sotto. $20 in advance/$25 at the door.
The Chuck Brown Band brings D.C.’s homegrown funk to City Winery. 8 p.m. $30.
Batida Diferente brings its Brazilian vibes to Mr. Henry’s from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. $15 per person minimum.
Veteran area pianist Bill Heid leads his band at Jojo’s. 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover.
July 7
Vocalist Miki Howard plays 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $40-$45 + minimum/surcharge.
July 8
Sfyria Trio is a free improvisational group comprised of saxophonist Sam Decker, bassist Charlie Kirchen, and drummer Matt Carroll. The ensemble is touring in support of its latest recording, The Rockefeller Concert, and headlies an 8 p.m. bill at Rhizome. $10.
Joshua Bayer is familiar to many in the local scene, both as a guitarist and educator at American University. His band plays 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $22 + minimum/surcharge.
July 9
Hollow Deck is the duo of Mia Friedman and Andy Allen. The two musicians use a multitude of folk instruments and electronics to create a sound that is impossible to categorize. Hollow Deck shares Rhizome’s stage with multi-instrumentalist Majid Araim and fiddler RHeBird. 8 p.m. $10.
Cecily, a talented singer and D.C. native, plays 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley to celebrate her new EP, Songs of Love & Freedom. The recording explores multiple genres and was named one of the best new soul albums in May by Bandcamp. $22 + minimum/surcharge.
July 10
Singer and guitarist Ilusha Tsinadze is a New York City-based native of the Republic of Georgia. His trio weaves together haunting Georgian melodies with American jazz elements. The band plays the Millennium Stage at 6 p.m. FREE. The band will also play a 9 p.m. set later that evening at Bossa Bistro + Lounge. $10 at the door.
Bassist Christian de Mesones leads a band at Blues Alley. 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $22 + minimum/surcharge.
July 11
Local pianist, songwriter, and jazz mainstay Mark G. Meadows celebrates the release of his new EP, Be The Change, with an 8 p.m. set at AMP. $18-$32.
Area pianist James Collins plays 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. $10 + minimum/surcharge.
July 12
Elikeh, a local band that colors African grooves with jazz shading, plays Jazz in the Garden. 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m. FREE
Baltimore’s Todd Marcus is a fine bass clarinetist, but it’s his work as a composer that truly allows his ensembles to shine. He has a thorough knowledge of jazz harmony and regularly draws from his Egyptian heritage for inspiration. Marcus’s quintet plays Jazz Night in Southwest from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Veteran area trumpeter Thad Wilson leads his ensemble Kindred Soul through 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. sets at Sotto. $20 in advance/$25 at the door.
Vocalist and songwriter Deacon Izzy leads The Congregation at Marvin. 8 p.m.-11 p.m. No cover.
Trumpeter Kevin Cordt plays Mr. Henry’s from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. $15 per person minimum.
July 13
D.C. native Uasuf Gueye blends hip hop, R&B, jazz, rock, and West African Manding music all played on traditional West African instruments. He plays an early 7:30 p.m. set at Bossa Bistro + Lounge. $10 at the door.
Experimental guitarist Bill Orcutt shares a bill with Baltimore performance artist Bonnie Jones at Rhizome. 8 p.m. $15.
Area trumpeter Justine Miller leads a band at Mr. Henry’s from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. $15 per person minimum.
Vocalist Aaron Myers has long been a familiar face in local clubs. He plays Jojo’s from 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover.
July 14
Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, one of the finest trumpeters to arise out of the last decade, released his latest recording Ancestral Recall earlier this year. That album was the follow-up to The Centennial Trilogy, an epic three-album set commemorating 100 years of recorded jazz. As with all of his work, Ancestral Recall is a musical commentary on social issues, in particular the relationship between modern jazz and its indigenous roots. His band comes to City Winery for 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. sets. $28-$38.
Dynamic local vocalist Akua Allrich brings her band to Sotto for 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. sets. $20 in advance/$25 at the door.
Singer Sami Stevens and saxophonist Kazemde George are a tight duo that comes to Twins Jazz for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + minimum/surcharge.
July 15
Baltimore-based saxophonist Craig Alston comes to Marvin to lead a band from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. No cover.
Local saxophonist Brian Settles has a bold tone that demands the listener’s attention, and his compositions respect tradition while remaining forward-looking. He and his wife, singer Jessica Boykin-Settles, lead a quintet at Blues Alley. 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $22 + minimum/surcharge.
July 16
Jeff Antoniuk is a prolific saxophonist and respected educator who has tutored many of the area’s musicians. He celebrates his new album with 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $22 + minimum/surcharge.
July 17
Three-time Latin Grammy nominee Jovino Santos Neto, a master pianist, composer, and arranger, is among the top Brazilian musicians working today. Energetic grooves and lyrical improvisation characterize his vibrant style. Neto and his band play at 6 p.m. on the Millennium Stage. FREE
The Tedeschi Trucks Band treads at the intersection of blues, soul, and roots music, but the group’s extended jams often extend into realms far beyond, resulting in a sound that’s hard to categorize. TTB plays Wolf Trap in a bill that includes Blackberry Smoke and Shovels & Rope. 7 p.m. $40
Sea-Change is a group comprised of several of the area’s best improvisers, including drummer Kelton Norris and saxophonist Sarah Hughes. The band plays 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. $10 + minimum/surcharge.
July 18
Area saxophonist Herb Scott brings a group to Marvin from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. No cover.
Celebrated Afro-Cuban percussionist Poncho Sanchez brings his long-running ensemble to Blues Alley to begin a four night run of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $50-$55 + minimum/surcharge.
Drummer Keith Butler brings his trio to Twins Jazz for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + minimum/surcharge.
July 19
Jazz violinist Miles Stiebel plays Jazz in the Garden. 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m. FREE
Local brass band Black Masala brings its horn driven grooves to the Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. FREE
Vocalist James Zimmerman leads a band of local all stars at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Ubiquitous area saxophonist Elijah Jamal Balbed leads a band at Mr. Henry’s. 8 p.m.-11 p.m. $15 per person minimum.
Saxophonist Rick Alberico sets up shop at Twins Jazz for two nights of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $15 + minimum/surcharge.
July 20
Vocalist Res (pronounced “Reese”) brings a neo-soul style with heavy jazz influences to Sotto for 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. sets. $10-$30.
July 21
Born in Mauritania, and raised in Senegal, Daby Touré’s music combines African folk melodies, desert blues, and Western influences. He plays Bossa Bistro + Lounge at 8 p.m. $15 at the door.
July 22
Guitarist Zach Cutler brings his blend of jazz, funk, and soul to Marvin. 7 p.m.-10 p.m. No cover.
July 23
Cimarrón performs joropo music from the plains of the Orinoco River with a global and contemporary sound. The genre draws from indigenous, Andalusian, and African roots, with the band playing a 6 p.m. show on the Millennium Stage. FREE
The DIVA Jazz Orchestra is a renowned all-female big band under the direction of drummer Sherrie Maricle. Maricle and her rhythm section mates in DIVA, area bassist Amy Shook and pianist Jackie Warren, also perform as the 3Divas Jazz Trio, and will be at Blues Alley for 8 p.m.and 10 p.m. sets. $22 + minimum/surcharge.
July 24
Keyboardist Daniel Weatherspoon brings a band to Blues Alley for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $22 + minimum/surcharge.
July 25
Blues legend Taj Mahal plays The Birchmere at 7:30 p.m. $59.50 + fees.
July 26
Alison Crockett is one of the most gifted singers on the local scene. She leads a quintet that includes saxophonist Paul Carr at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Trumpeter Joe Herrera leads his Remix band from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. at Marvin. No cover.
Smooth jazz stars David Benoit and Marc Antoine begin a three night run of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $35 + minimum/surcharge.
Trumpeter John Lamkin directed the jazz bands at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore before his retirement in 2014. He continues to perform and leads a quintet at Twins Jazz tonight and tomorrow. 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. sets. $15 + minimum/surcharge.
Local drummer par excellence Lenny Robinson brings a band to Jojo’s. 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. No cover.
July 27
Griot singer Cheikh Hamala Diabate graces the Petworth Jazz Project with his West African grooves from 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Baba Ras D opens with a children’s set. FREE
Lyuti Chushki is a local quartet that plays intricate Bulgarian music on traditional instruments with an emphasis on authenticity. The band takes the stage at 7 p.m. at Bossa Bistro + Lounge. $10 at the door.
Vocalist Maija Rejman comes to Mr. Henry’s. 8 p.m.-11 p.m. $15 per person minimum.
Area vocalist Carly Harvey plays Jojo’s from 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover.
July 28
Vocalist Vivian Lee plays 8 p.m.-10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. $10 + minimum/surcharge.
July 29
The Jose Ramirez Blues Project plays Blue Monday in Southwest from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $5 at the door.
July 30
Calling Herbie Hancock a jazz legend still falls short of describing the contributions this master musician has made over his stellar 50+ year career. He headlines a bill at Wolf Trap that includes Kamasi Washington, whose crossover sound and has made him one of the most talked-about jazz musicians of the past several years. 8 p.m. $35.
Up-and-coming vocalist Aimee Allen comes to Blues Alley with her quartet. 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $22 + minimum/surcharge.
July 31
Blues Alley closes out the month with a tribute to the late Natalie Cole by the singer, Tygressa. 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $22 + minimum/surcharge.
