WASHINGTON’S BEST IN JAZZ IN THE WASHINGTON DC AREA , 8-26-09

[WASHINGTON DC JAZZ NETWORK]

Note 1: Monk The Play by Laurence Holder - starring Audelco Award winning actor Rome Neal as Thelonious Monk final performance @ Blair Mansion Sunday, August 30th 3:00 pm showtime - 2:00 pm all you can eat dinner buffet. RSVP 301-588-1688. Only 140 seats...tickets are going fast!

Note 2: We are adding the Hotel Tabard Inn to our venue list after discovering their website. For years they have been offering free Sunday night jazz in their lounge with duos consisting of bassist Victor Dvoskin and guest artists, typically guitarists and, at least now, also pianists.

Note 3: The fall Friday jazz series at Montpelier Arts Center begins on September 25. Advanced purchases are available at 301-377-7800 and recommended, as they do sell out. We have updated the link to their jazz series.

Note 4: On Sun. 10/4, there will be a ten-hour tribute-benefit concert for Baltimore guitarist O’Donel Levy, who suffered a massive stroke in 2006 and is still recuperating. This will be held at Sojourner-Douglas College in Baltimore from noon to 10pm. Performers currently include Gary Bartz, Donald Harrison, Ethel Ennis, Larry Willis, Louis Hayes, and two big bands. You can expect many others to be added. See listing below.

Note 5: An Die Musik will be having a four-part solo jazz piano series on Fridays Sept. 11, Oct. 6, Nov. 13 and Sat. Dec. 5, including Michele Rosewoman, Kenny Werner, and Dave Burrell, with two of the concerts at Univ. of Baltimore. See our listings for Sept. 11, Oct. 6, and Dec. 5 and their website for further information.

Note 6: University of the District of Columbia Felix E. Grant Jazz Archives has announced a new Jazz Forum Series, which has been organized by jazz researcher and author Michael Fitzgerald. Michael recently relocated to Washington to work at the Jazz Archives and is well-known for his work as a jazz discographer. He has the website www.jazzdiscography.com. The dates of the series for fall 2009 are Wednesdays 9/23, 10/21, and 11/18, all from 7-9pm. For description of individual events, as well as location, see listings below.

RECURRING EVENTS
1.) Thad Wilson (trumpet) Jazz Orchestra “Ugetzu”, every Monday night @ Bohemian Caverns (see venue list), 8:00pm-about 11:30pm, $5 cover, 2 drink min.

*Events at U-TOPIA (1418 U St., 202-483-7669)
3.) Tuesdays: Bill Heid Trio (organ; Lyle Link-tenor & alto & Tony Martucci-drums). This is a great trio with one of the best jazz organists in the country, 9:30pm-1:30am. (Note that Bill Heid is expected to return from an extended stay in China and hopefully he will resume doing this gig. He will also perform at Westminster Church on 9/18.)
4.) Wednesdays: Paul Pieper (guitar).

*Events at Columbia Station (2325 18th St., NW, 202-462-6040)
5.) Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays: Butch Warren Experience (bass; Peter Edelman-piano, Olivier Brown-trumpet, Ted Efantis-sax, Lyle Link-sax & Knud Jensen-sax) Legendary bass player for Blue Note Records, 8:30pm-12am Wed, 9:30pm-1:30am Fri.& Sat.
6.) Saturday & Sunday afternoons: Jazz Workshop with Peter Edelman-piano, Nathan Garrett-bass & Web Grant-drums – Musicians and Vocalists welcome, 4-8pm.

7.) Jojo Restaurant and Bar (1518 U St., NW, 202-319-9350)
Thursdays: Lenny Robinson Group (drums).

8.) Todd Marcus (bass clarinet) Jazz Orchestra and smaller ensembles. Todd seems to have an ever-changing schedule of performances around Baltimore. Please see his website for current performance locations. www.toddmarcusjazz.com .

9.) Many Fridays, including 8/28: Antonio Parker Quartet (alto & maybe tenor/soprano) @ HR-57, 9pm-1am. Check their website (see venue list). $12 cover, no min.

10.) Fridays: The Young Lions (Allyn Johnson-keyboard, Kris Funn-bass & Quincy Phillips-drums) @ Bohemian Caverns (see venue list); doors open 11:45pm, 12:45am performance, free.

EVENTS
Thurs. 8/27 – Sun. 8/30 Wallace Roney Quintet (trumpet; Antoine Roney-tenor, Rashaan Carter-bass, Kush Abadey-drums & Aruan Ortiz-keyboards) @ Bohemian Caverns, Show times: Thurs. 8:30 & 10pm, Fri. - Sat. 8:30 & 10:30pm, Sun. 7 & 9pm, $25 cover. Note that Kush Abadey is the son of drummer Nasar Abadey and Rashaan Carter is the son of WPFW jazz programmer Ellen Carter and jazz educator Russell Carter. This is a working group and we’ve been hearing some very enthusiastic comments about them.

Thurs. 8/27 – Sat. 8/29 John Surman Quartet (sax; John Abercrombie-guitar, Drew Gress-bass & Jack DeJohnette-drums) @ Blues Alley, 8 & 10pm, $35 cover + $10 min. + $2.50 surcharge.

Fri. 8/28 Tom Williams (trumpet) @ National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, 5-8:30pm, free. One of the best trumpet players in the D.C./Baltimore area.

Fri. 8/28 – Sat. 8/29 Thad Wilson Jazz Orchestra @ Twins Jazz (U St.) sets at 9, 11pm, $15 cover + min. Reginald Cyntje will be on trombone Friday.

Sat. 8/29 DC Jazz Collaborative (including Reginald Cyntje-trombone, Victor Provost-steel pan) @ Harman Center for the Arts, Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW, details at 202-495-0476.

Fri. 9/4 – Sat. 9/5 Katy Roberts Quintet (piano; Rasul Siddik-trumpet, Salim Washington-tenor, James King-bass & Joe Link-drums) @ Twins Jazz (U St.) sets at 9, 11pm, $15 cover + min. This is a strong band worthy of your attention. Former professor at the Berklee College of Music & currently professor at the Bill Evans Piano Academy in Paris. Roberts has played with Allan Dawson, Billy Hart, Frank Lacy, Salim Washington, Ricky Ford, Sonny Simmons and the AACM’s Ernest Dawkins.

Tues. 9/8 Michele Rosewoman Quartet with Mark Shim (piano; tenor; Michael Hawkins-bass & Billy Williams-drums) “Richmond Jazz Society Guest Educator Series” @ Capital Ale House, Downtown Music Hall, 623 E. Main St., Richmond, VA, 7pm. Rare opportunity to see great pianist and bandleader Michele Rosewoman and important young tenor player who’s on her most recent recording.

Thurs. 9/10 – Sat. 9/12 Ron Carter’s Golden Striker Trio (bass; Mulgrew Miller-piano & Russell Malone-guitar) @ Bohemian Caverns, Show times: Thurs. 8:00 & 10pm, Fri. - Sat. 8:30 & 10:30pm, $40 cover. A chance to hear one of the greatest bass players in jazz (who was a member of Miles Davis’ second great quintet, which included Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock & Tony Williams, and who is reported to be the most recorded bassist in jazz history) along with one of the great pianists in jazz today.

Fri. 9/11 Michele Rosewoman (solo piano) @ An Die Musik, 8 & 9:30pm, $20/$10 students, $68/$34 students for entire series of 4 solo piano concerts. Highly recommended. Very rare area appearance by great pianist and bandleader. See www.michelerosewoman.com and www.myspace.com/michelerosewoman .

Sat. 9/12
1. Silver Spring Jazz Festival: includes 5:30pm performance by Afro-Bop Alliance (featuring Alex Norris on trumpet). Grammy award winning group that is one of the greatest Latin jazz groups in our area. 3:30-10:45pm, free, located behind Lee Building, 8601 Georgia Ave (corner of Colesville Rd. & Georgia Ave.), Silver Spring, http://www.silverspringdowntown.com/event/silver-spring-jazz-festival-2009 http://dc.about.com/od/specialevents/a/SilverSpgJazz.htm

2. 19th Annual Rosslyn Jazz Festival: includes Lafayette Gilchrist and the New Volcanoes (pianist for tenor great David Murray in recent years, leading his own group) at 2:30-3:40pm, free, 12:30-7pm, @ Gateway Park, 1300 Lee Hwy (N. Lynn St. at Lee Hwy), 2 blocks from Rosslyn Metro Station. Info. at http://www.rosslynva.org/play/calendar/jazz-festival or 703-2Rosslyn.

3. Warren Wolf Quintet (vibes; Tim Green-alto, Kris Funn-bass, Richard Johnson-piano & Billy Williams-drums) @ Caton Castle Lounge, 6-10pm, $10. Multi-instrumentalist (vibes, piano & drums) Wolf is currently the vibes player in Christian McBride’s group (see 11/7 -11/8 listing).

4. Afro-Bop Alliance (featuring Alex Norris on trumpet) @ Maryland Seafood Festival, 12pm performance, Sandy Point State Park, Annapolis, MD.

Wed. 9/16 Matt Wilson (drums) @ Blues Alley, 8 & 10pm, $20 cover + $10 min. + $2.50 surcharge.

Fri. 9/18 Tony Martucci’s Long Street Charm Band (drums; Bill Heid-organ, Lyle Link-tenor & Geoff Reecer-guitar) @
Westminster Presbyterian Church, 6-9pm, $5. The always great drummer Martucci has a really nice new release out, LONG STREET CHARM, and this will be the band from it. Yes, Bill Heid is finally returning from China and we hope their Tuesday gig at U-TOPIA resumes.

Fri. 9/18 – Sat. 9/19 Nasar Abadey Trio (drums) featuring Gary Thomas (tenor) & Herman Burney (bass) @ Twins Jazz (U St.) sets at 9, 11pm, $15 cover + min. Rare opportunity to hear Nasar and Gary together in a piano-less trio. Gary founded and heads the jazz studies program at the Peabody Institute and frequently tours with Herbie Hancock.

Sat. 9/19 Carl Grubbs Quintet (saxophones) with Special Guest Artist Odean Pope (tenor), Todd Marcus (bass clarinet), Elmer Gibson (piano), Michael Formanek (bass) & Eric Allen (drums) “Annual Tribute to John Coltrane” @ An Die Musik, 5:30-6:30pm Pre-concert talk by jazz writer Francis Davis, shows at 8 & 9:30pm, $20/$18 seniors & students per set. Note that Grubbs’ cousin, Naima, was married to Coltrane and he actually studied with Coltrane. Pope was a long-time saxophonist in the Max Roach Quartet.

Wed. 9/23 UDC Jazz Forum Series: Yasuhiro Fujioka and Andrew White: “Trane Times Two”. The birthday anniversary of John Coltrane will be celebrated with this rare meeting of two individuals who have devoted their lives to the study of his music. 7-9pm, Recital Hall, Building 46-West, Univ. of D.C., 4200 Connecticut Ave, NW, free. Further info. at 202-274-5265 or [e-mail].

Fri. 9/25
1. Buck Hill Quartet (tenor & clarinet; expect John Ozment-piano, Cheyney Thomas-bass & Jerry Jones-drums) @ Montpelier Cultural Arts Center, 8pm, $20/$18 seniors & members. An older legendary local musician who is a world-class tenor player. If you are new to D.C. or have never seen him, make seeing him a priority.

2. [PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT IS STILL BEING FINALIZED AND MAY BE MOVED TO Sat. 9/26. PLEASE CONFIRM WITH Transparent Productions website.] Hamiet Bluiett (baritone & clarinet) and Lee Parker (drums) duo by Transparent Productions @ Contradiction Dance, 7014 Westmoreland Ave, Takoma Park, 8pm. 100% of the proceeds go to the artists. Member of the World Saxophone Quartet and perhaps the greatest living baritone sax player in jazz

Sun. 9/27 Dave Kane @ Twins Jazz (U St.) The venue website has this listed as “Dave Kain”. We assume this is pianist/composer Dave Kane, who lives in our area and writes reviews for Cadence Magazine.

Mon. 9/28 David Binney Group (alto; featuring Brian Blade-drums) @ Blues Alley, 8 & 10pm, $25 cover + $10 min. + $2.50 surcharge.

Tues. 9/29 Bobby Broom (guitar) @ Blues Alley, 8 & 10pm, $22 cover + $10 min. + $2.50 surcharge. Guitarist based in Chicago.

Thurs. 10/1 - Sun. 10/4 Roy Hargrove (trumpet) @ Blues Alley, 8 & 10pm, $35 cover + $10 min. + $2.50 surcharge. One of the greatest trumpet players in jazz today.

Fri. 10/2
1. Kenny Barron Trio (piano) @ Kennedy Center, Terrace Theater, 7:30 & 9:30pm, $30. One of the greatest pianists in jazz today.

2. Nasar Abadey Quartet (drums; Antonio Parker-saxes, Allyn Johnson-piano & James King-bass) @ Westminster Presbyterian Church, 6-9pm, $5. One of the best rhythm sections working in jazz today and they live right here, with one of D.C.’s finest young saxophonists. Hopefully this will be repeated around town in a venue that will let them play uninterrupted.

3. Carl Grubbs (saxophones) @ Montpelier Cultural Arts Center, 8pm, $20/$18 seniors & members.

Fri. 10/2 – Sat. 10/3 Donald Harrison Quartet (alto; John Lamkin-drums) @ Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30pm, $25 cover, $20 advance plus service charge via website.

Sat. 10/3 Afro-Bop Alliance @ Lake Ann Jazz & Blues Festival, 1609 Washington Plaza, Reston, VA, 4:45-6pm, free. Grammy award winning group that is one of the greatest Latin jazz groups in our area.

Sun. 10/4
1. 10-Hour Non-stop Jazz Tribute-Benefit Concert for Baltimore guitarist O’Donel Levy, who suffered a massive stroke in 2006 and is still recuperating. Performers currently include Gary Bartz, Donald Harrison, Ethel Ennis, Larry Willis, Louis Hayes, and two big bands. You can expect many others to be added, possibly musicians from all over the world. 12 noon – 10pm at Sojourner-Douglas College, 2000 Central Ave., Baltimore (free parking lot). For further information and to get on email list, contact Mike Binsky: [e-mail] or 410-922-0752.

2. Digital Primitives (Cooper-Moore-various handmade instruments, Assif Tshar-reeds & Chad Taylor-drums) by Transparent Productions @ Contradiction Dance, 7014 Westmoreland Ave, Takoma Park, 8pm. 100% of the proceeds go to the artists. See Transparent website for more info.

Tues. 10/5 Kurt Rosenwinkel (guitar) @ Blues Alley, 8 & 10pm, $25 cover + $10 min. + $2.50 surcharge. One of the most influential younger musicians in jazz today who even many young jazz piano students say they’re listening to.

Fri. 10/6 Kenny Werner (solo piano) presented by An Die Musik @ University of Baltimore, 6 & 8pm, $20/$10 students. Famous New York pianist who played with the Mel Lewis Orchestra.

Sat. 10/10 The Overtone Quartet (Dave Holland-bass, Jason Moran-piano, Chris Potter-saxophones & Eric Harland-drums) @ Kennedy Center, Terrace Theater, 7:30 & 9:30pm, $35.

Fri. 10/16 Cargo Cult (Thomas Ulrich-cello, Rolf Sturn-guitar & Michael Bisio-bass) by Transparent Productions @ Contradiction Dance, 7014 Westmoreland Ave, Takoma Park, 8pm. 100% of the proceeds go to the artists. See Transparent website for more info.

Wed. 10/21 UDC Jazz Forum Series: Will Friedwald “My Father and I – Two Lives in Jazz”. Friedwald, author of seven books on music and popular culture, including “Jazz Singing and Sinatra: The Song Is You”, will speak about the more than 10,000 jazz LPs he donated to the Felix Grant Jazz Archives, the life of his record producer father, Herb Friedwald, and his own work as a writer. 7-9pm, Recital Hall, Building 46-West, Univ. of D.C., 4200 Connecticut Ave, NW, free. Further info. at 202-274-5265 or [e-mail].

Thurs. 10/22 – Sun. 10/25 Terence Blanchard (trumpet) @ Blues Alley, 8 & 10pm, $35 cover + $10 min. + $2.50 surcharge. One of the greatest trumpet players in jazz today.

Fri. 10/23
1. Allyn Johnson & Divine Order (piano; Kris Funn-bass, Quincy Phillips-drums, Tim Green-alto & featuring 6-person vocal group) @ Westminster Presbyterian Church, 6-9pm, $5. Gospel-based jazz, led by one of D.C.’s greatest jazz pianists, who also heads the jazz studies program at Univ. of D.C.

2. Robert and Chuck Redd with Tommy Cecil (piano, vibes/percussion & bass) @ Montpelier Cultural Arts Center, 8pm, $20/$18 seniors & members.

Sat. 10/24 Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra “Portrait of Julian “Cannonball” Adderley” @ National Museum of Natural History, Baird Auditorium, 10th and Constitution Ave., NW. Show time and price for an individual show not provided at venue website or links.

Wed. 10/28 Rory Stuart (guitar) @ Blues Alley, 8 & 10pm, $20 cover + $10 min. + $2.50 surcharge.

Thurs. 10/29 – Fri. 10/30 Randy Weston’s African Rhythms Trio (piano) @ Blues Alley, 8 & 10pm, $30 cover + $10 min. + $2.50 surcharge. Rare Blues Alley club appearance by Weston.

Fri. 10/30 Cedar Walton (solo piano) @ Montpelier Cultural Arts Center, 8pm, $20/$18 seniors & members. An all too rare appearance by one of the greatest living pianists and composers in jazz. Not too be missed.

Fri. 10/30 – Sat. 10/3 Nasar Abadey & Supernova (drums; Joe Ford-soprano & alto, Allyn Johnson-piano & James King-bass) @ Bohemian Caverns. One of the greatest groups playing in jazz today. Ford gets our vote for one of the most under-recognized artists in jazz today and the same goes for Abadey and King. Not to be missed. What a way to celebrate Halloween!

Thurs. 11/5 – Fri. 11/6 Nicholas Payton Quartet (trumpet) @ Blues Alley, 8 & 10pm, $30 cover + $10 min. + $2.50 surcharge.

Sat. 11/7 – Sun. 11/8 Christian McBride & Inside Straight (bass) @ Blues Alley, 8 & 10pm, $30 cover + $10 min. + $2.50 surcharge.

Wed. 11/11 Michael Formanek (bass) & Tim Murphy (piano) duo @ Peabody Institute, Griswold Hall, 8pm. Program includes some original compositions, including a world premiere.

Wed. 11/18 UDC Jazz Forum Series: Noal Cohen and Michael Fitzgerald: “Gigi Gryce – Beyond The Rat Race”. Co-authors discuss “Rat Race Blues”, their award-winning biography of Gigi Gryce, present rare film footage, and examine how the book’s publication has influenced aspects of U.S. foreign relations in the Middle East. 7-9pm, Recital Hall, Building 46-West, Univ. of D.C., 4200 Connecticut Ave, NW, free. Further info. at 202-274-5265 or [e-mail].

Sat. 12/5 Dave Burrell (solo piano) @ An Die Musik, 8 & 9:30pm, $20/$10 students.



Website/Phone Numbers of Interest:

1. Twins Jazz (1344 U Street, 202-234-0072) and Twins Lounge (5516 Colorado Ave., 202-882-2523) www.twinsjazz.com

2. Kennedy Center: www.kennedy-center.org; 202-467-4600

3. Blues Alley: www.bluesalley.com, 1073 Wisconsin Ave.,
202-337-4141.

4. Smithsonian Jazz Café, in Smithsonian Natural History Museum, 10th and Constitution, NW), www.mnh.si.edu/jazz.

5. Montpelier Cultural Arts Center, Laurel, MD: 301-953-1993; http://www.pgparks.com/Things_To_Do/Arts/Montpelier_Arts_Center/Performances.htm.

6. An Die Musik: (www.andiemusiklive.com; at 409 N. Charles Street, Baltimore. 410-385-2638, toll-free 888-221-6170; advance ticket purchase advised by the venue.

7. Peabody Institute, 17 Mount Vernon Place, Baltimore. 410-659-8100, ext.2, www.peabody.jhu.edu/home.php (for concert schedule and travel directions).

8. New Haven Lounge, 1552 Havenwood Rd., Baltimore, 410-366-7416 (speak to Keith Covington). To get on their email list, email them at [e-mail] .

9. Baltimore Museum of Art, Chamber Jazz Society of Baltimore, Art Museum Drive at North Charles and 31st Streets, 410-385-5888, www.baltimorechamberjazz.org.

10. Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, University of Maryland, College Park, 301-405-ARTS, www.claricesmithcenter.umd.edu.

11. HR57 Center for the Preservation of Jazz & Blues, 1610 14th Street, NW, 202-667-3700, www.hr57.org.

12. The Music Center at Strathmore, adjacent to the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro parking garage off of Tuckerman Lane, Bethesda MD, 301-581-5100, www.strathmore.org.

13. The Bohemian Caverns, 2001 11th St., NW, 202-299-0800, www.bohemiancaverns.com.

14. Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St., NW, 202-328-6000, www.thelincolntheatre.org.

15. Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra: 202-633-3587, www.sjmo.org.

16. National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, on the National Mall at 7th St. & Constitution Ave. and is bounded by Constitution Ave. and Madison Dr. and by 7th and 9th Streets NW, www.nga.gov/programs/jazz.shtm.

17. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 401 I St. SW, 202-484-7700, www.westminsterdc.org.

18. “Be Mo Jazz” is an organization sponsoring jazz concerts in various locations in Baltimore. You can sign up for their email list from their website: http://www.bemojazz.com/ .

19. Caton Castle Lounge, 20 S. Caton Ave., Baltimore, 410-566-7086, http://www.catoncastle.com/ .

20. Transparent Productions, locations of events vary, http://www.transparentproductionsdc.org/ .

21. Hotel Tabard Inn Lounge, 1739 N St. NW, Restaurant: 202-331-8528, Hotel: 202-785-1277; Special events: 202-463-7909, http://www.tabardinn.com/restaurant/live_jazz .