The city’s jazz clubs, many of which closed pre-pandemic, have grown even more scarce after Sotto, Twins, and Alice’s Jazz and Cultural Society shuttered.
The club helped bring about the resurgence of jazz on U Street in the early 2000s.
The veteran area drummer celebrates the release of his latest album this weekend at Twins Jazz.
DCist interviewed drummer William Hooker, who will be leading a trio on Thursday at Twins Jazz.
C.C. Booker III leader, Will ScruggsIn the 1960s, several strains of African American music converged to form the genre we now call soul jazz. On the one hand was the straight ahead jazz tradition, specifically, the hard bop sound legendary drummer Art Blakey pioneered with his timeless band, the Jazz Messengers. On the other hand was the popular R&B music of the day, with Memphis soul and Motown beaming across the airwaves. From yet…
Twins Jazz has never been afraid to book acts that are willing to push the boundaries of music and challenge an audience. One such group is coming to the club on Wednesday night in the form of New York’s Prana Trio, an ensemble that melds the contemporary and ancient, combining the influences of modern new music, free-form improvisation, and ancient literature. “Being tough to pigeon hole can make it difficult to find the right place…
While there are some great shows coming up in January, this week is still subject to holiday doldrums. Here are a few shows to check out. >> Tomorrow, vocalist/pianist Mose Allison comes to Blues Alley to begin a four night stand with daily 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. It is common for touring jazz acts to hire local rhythm sections, and concert goers will be treated to two of D.C.’s finest in bassist Tommy…
>> Beginning tonight, piano legend Ahmad Jamal (pictured with bassist James Cammack) continues his annual tradition of closing each year with a week-long residence at Blues Alley. Daily 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets begin tonight and run through Sunday. Tickets are $30 + $12.50 surcharge/drink minimum. On New Year’s Eve, the Keter Betts memorial band, which includes celebrated guitarist Paul Bollenback and local drumming ace Lenny Robinson, will join Jamal to ring in 2008…
>> Blues Alley’s Christmas music extravaganza continues tonight with The Redd Brothers, a group led by vibraphonist Chuck Redd and pianist Robert Redd. Sets are at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tickets are $18 + $12.50 surcharge/minimum. >> If smooth jazz is your thing, head down to the Birchmere tonight to hear Boney James play selections off his latest release, Christmas Present. Tickets to the 7:30 p.m. show are sold out, but that’s what Craigslist…
>> Woolly Mammoth’s popular One Man Star Wars Trilogy is back, written and performed by Charles Ross. Tickets are $28 for the 8 p.m. show. >> The Alliance Francaise and Twins Jazz present the Dupont T quartet, a group led by bassist Hubert Dupont, a major player in the jazz scene in Paris. Tickets to the 8 and 10:30 p.m. sets are $20. >> Take the opportunity to check out the new Busboys and…
