by Giovanni Russonello
Editorial board

This weekend, you can hear from a variety of top local musicians — Reginald Cyntje and DeAndre Shaifer both lead bands at Bohemian Caverns — in addition to the Jamaican piano great Monty Alexander, who plays at Blues Alley all weekend. Alexander will also stick around for a show on Monday night, one of a handful of special New Year’s Eve performances going on around town. Monday night’s shows are listed on our D.C. jazz calendar, along with all the shows on our radar this weekend. The weekend performances are also listed below, in this week’s edition of “Weekend in Jazz.” Our favorites have a label. Happy hunting!

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28

cb picks:

• DeAndre Shaifer, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m.
• Monty Alexander, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m.
• Anderson Twins, Twins Jazz, 9 & 11 p.m.
• Donvonte McCoy, 18th Street Lounge, 10:30 p.m.

Eric Byrd & Brother Ray Band, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 6 p.m. | What began as an experiment over a decade ago continues today as one of Washington’s greatest weekly traditions: Westminster Presbyterian Church’s “Jazz Night.” Every Friday night, the house of God becomes a hub for fish frying, communing and jamming on straight-ahead jazz. Eric Byrd performs this week on piano and vocals, with Bhagwan Khalsa on bass, Alphonso Young, Jr. on drums, Brad Clements on trumpet, Paul Carr on tenor sax, Lyle Link on alto sax, Chris Watling on baritone sax and Jason Miles on vocals. $5 cover for adults, no cover for attendees under 16, no minimum. View event on calendar | Westminster Presbyterian Church website

Karen Gray Trio, Sala Thai (Bethesda), 7 p.m. | Commanding vocalist Karen Gray sings laid-back renditions of jazz standards in a drumless trio. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Sala Thai website

Triple Double, Sala Thai (U St.), 7 p.m. | Consisting of Joey Whitney on tenor sax, Ed Gallagher on guitar, Alan Pachter on bass and Tom Reed on drums, the Triple Double Jazz Band plays straightforward, straight-ahead versions of jazz standards. No cover, 1-drink minimum.. View event on calendar | Sala Thai website

Night & Day Trio, Sala Thai (Petworth), 7 p.m. | The Night & Day Trio plays traditional, swing-oriented jazz, featuring Renée Tannenbaum on vocals, Mike Suser on piano and vocals and Dennis Johnson on saxophone. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Sala Thai website

Sara Jones Quartet, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 8 p.m. | Vocalist Sara Jones sings jazz standards sweetly; her top-notch band here includes Chris Grasso on piano, Tommy Cecil on bass and Lenny Robinson on drums. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Mandarin Oriental website

Monty Alexander, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m. | Veteran pianist Monty Alexander uses jazz as a canvas, and the music of the Caribbean, American cities, and various other cultures around the globe as his colors. In his collaborations with the likes of Ray Brown and Milt Jackson, Alexander’s Jamaican roots have always shone through. He blends swing, calypso, funk groove, dub and other rhythms, while his pianism draws from Oscar Peterson and Horace Silver. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $40 cover, $12 minimum, $2.50 surcharge. View event on calendar | Blues Alley profile

DeAndre Shaifer, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m. | DeAndre Shaifer is a lithe, ecstatically swinging trumpet player living in D.C. His talent on his main instrument jumps out at you, but if you hang out before or after a gig, you might catch him messing around on the piano; that’s when you recognize the full weight of his virtuosity. Shaifer’s not seen on the District scene as often as he ought to be; this show, with him leading a combo, is a rare delight. Two separate sets at 8:30 & 10:30. $15 cover in advance, $20 at the door, no minimum View event on calendar | Bohemian Caverns profile

Antonio Parker Quartet, HR-57, 9 p.m. | Alto saxophonist Antonio Parker’s playing is swingin’ and soulful, with a bright, aggressive tone. He casually sprinkles neo-soul and R&B influences into his otherwise straight-ahead bop, and his improvisation shows a redolence to Kenny Garrett’s. $15 cover, no minimum. View event on calendar | HR-57 website

Peter Edelman Trio, Columbia Station, 9 p.m. | The stalwart D.C. piano player Peter Edelman every Friday night leads a rotating cast of musicians that often outgrows the title “trio.” No cover, one-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Columbia Station profile

Alfredo Mojica, Bossa Bistro, 9 p.m. | Alfredo Mojica, who sang at Bossa for years with the group Sin Miedo, unites salsa, jazz and Latin American balladry. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Bossa profile

Anderson Twins, Twins Jazz, 9 & 11 p.m. | The identical Anderson Twins, whose influences range from cool jazz to post-bop, have earned praise from the New York Times’ Stephen Holden, who calls them “virtuosos on both clarinet and saxophone.” They also happen to be memorable, prolific composers. The Bethesda, Md. natives started out in the early 2000s as students of renowned area saxophonist and educator Paul Carr. Since then, the young virtuosos have studied with the likes of Dr. Billy Taylor, James Moody, Barry Harris and Clark Terry. Two separate sets at 9 & 11 p.m. $16 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar | Twins Jazz profile

Robbie Wancowicz Ensemble w/Jenny George, Black Fox Lounge, 9:30 p.m. | Jenny George can’t yet drink legally at Black Fox Lounge, but she’s a prescient young vocalist who takes on jazz standards with strength and sensitivity. Here she appears with the Robbie Wancowicz Ensemble. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Black Fox profile

Donvonte McCoy, 18th St. Lounge, 10:30 p.m. | Arguably the city’s best jazz trumpeter, Donvonte McCoy plays every Friday and Saturday at the hip 18th St. Lounge. He likes to mix in some funk as well during the lounge gig, and he’s liable to inflect a touch of Chuck Brown-esque groove into his combo’s treatment of classic bop tunes by the likes of Miles Davis and Freddie Hubbard. After all, the setting is that of a dance club, not a jazz joint – no tables and chairs or hushed applause after every solo. Cover varies ($5-10), no minimum. View event on calendar | 18th St. Lounge profile

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29

cb picks:

• Monty Alexander, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m.
• Reginald Cyntje, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m.
• Anderson Twins, Twins Jazz, 9 & 11 p.m.
• Steve Synk Trio, Columbia Station, 9:30 p.m.
• Donvonte McCoy, 18th Street Lounge, 10:30 p.m.

Jam Session with Peter Edelman, Columbia Station, 4 p.m. | Pianist Peter Edelman, a constant presence on the D.C. jazz scene for years now, leads an afternoon jam session every Saturday and Sunday. No cover, no minimum. View event on calendar | Columbia Station profile

Charles Woods, Johnny’s Half Shell, 6 p.m. | Saxophonist Charles Woods plays and has recorded in both free and straight-ahead jazz styles, but for his regular gig at Johnny’s Half Shell he keeps things within the traditional bop realm. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Johnny’s Half Shell website

Mark Mosley Trio, Sala Thai (U St.), 7 p.m. | Baltimore guitarist Mark Mosley plays a slick hand as a smooth jazz guitarist, but he can also hunker down on serious bop. He performs laid-back straight-ahead here with his trio. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Sala Thai website

Triple Double, Sala Thai (Bethesda), 7 p.m. | Consisting of Joey Whitney on tenor sax, Ed Gallagher on guitar, Alan Pachter on bass and Tom Reed on drums, the Triple Double Jazz Band plays straightforward, straight-ahead versions of jazz standards. No cover, 1-drink minimum View event on calendar | Sala Thai website

Kirk Winters, Sala Thai (Petworth), 7 p.m. | Guitarist Kirk Winters draws inspiration from bop guitar greats such as Jim Hall, Wes Montgomery and Grant Green. He performs here with a straight-ahead trio. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Sala Thai website

Julian Hipkins Quartet, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 8 p.m. | Julian Hipkins sings with a swinging flair and jaunty, deep voice that recall Jimmy Rushing. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Mandarin Oriental website

Monty Alexander, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m. | Veteran pianist Monty Alexander uses jazz as a canvas, and the music of the Caribbean, American cities, and various other cultures around the globe as his colors. In his collaborations with the likes of Ray Brown and Milt Jackson, Alexander’s Jamaican roots have always shone through. He blends swing, calypso, funk groove, dub and other rhythms, while his pianism draws from Oscar Peterson and Horace Silver. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $40 cover, $12 minimum, $2.50 surcharge. View event on calendar | Blues Alley profile

Reginald Cyntje, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m. | Reginald Cyntje is one of the District’s top jazz players, and a frequent face on the U Street scene. Last year he released his debut CD, “Freedom’s Children: The Celebration,” a glimmeringly hopeful record immersed in the warm, danceable rhythms of Cyntje’s native U.S. Virgin Islands. He’s at work on a follow-up album. Two separate sets at 8:30 & 10:30. $15 cover in advance, $20 at the door, no minimum. View event on calendar | Bohemian Caverns profile

Anderson Twins, Twins Jazz, 9 & 11 p.m. | The identical Anderson Twins, whose influences range from cool jazz to post-bop, have earned praise from the New York Times’ Stephen Holden, who calls them “virtuosos on both clarinet and saxophone.” They also happen to be memorable, prolific composers. The Bethesda, Md. natives started out in the early 2000s as students of renowned area saxophonist and educator Paul Carr. Since then, the young virtuosos have studied with the likes of Dr. Billy Taylor, James Moody, Barry Harris and Clark Terry. Two separate sets at 9 & 11 p.m. $16 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar | Twins Jazz profile

AJ Parham Quartet, HR-57, 9 p.m. | Ajay Parham is a smooth, deep-voiced vocalist who sings R&B with inflections of jazz. But on the bandstand at HR-57, where he’s long been a stalwart performer, Parham often tries his hand at jazz standards. $12 cover, no minimum. View event on calendar | HR-57 website

Cubista, Bossa Bistro, 9 p.m. | Cubista is a salsa band that plays at Bossa every Saturday. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Bossa profile

Projeck GP, Black Fox Lounge, 9:30 p.m. | Projeck GP plays funky smooth jazz. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Black Fox profile

Steve Synk Trio, Columbia Station, 9:30 p.m. | Lyrical bassist Steve Synk, a music major at the University of Maryland, leads a young trio that explores music ranging from standards to originals, groove-based contemporary jazz to swinging bop. No cover, one-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Columbia Station profile

Donvonte McCoy, 18th St. Lounge, 10:30 p.m. | Arguably the city’s best jazz trumpeter, Donvonte McCoy plays every Friday and Saturday at the hip 18th St. Lounge. He likes to mix in some funk as well during the lounge gig, and he’s liable to inflect a touch of Chuck Brown-esque groove into his combo’s treatment of classic bop tunes by the likes of Miles Davis and Freddie Hubbard. After all, the setting is that of a dance club, not a jazz joint – no tables and chairs or hushed applause after every solo. Cover varies ($5-10), no minimum. View event on calendar | 18th St. Lounge profile

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30

cb picks:

• Jazz Brunch: Reginald Cyntje, Twins Jazz, 11 a.m.
• Black Notes, Bohemian Caverns, 7 & 9 p.m.
• Monty Alexander, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m.

Gospel Brunch, The Hamilton, 10 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. | Every Sunday morning, the Hamilton presents two sets of rafters-raising gospel, along with an all-you-can-eat buffet. Two separate shows at 10 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. $25 cover, no minimum. View event on calendar | The Hamilton website

TBA, Acadiana, 11 a.m. | Performer TBA. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Acadiana website

Jazz Brunch: Reginald Cyntje, Twins Jazz, 11 a.m. | Twins Jazz’s new Sunday Jazz Brunch initiative revolves around the magnetic powers of Reginald Cyntje’s trombone. Last year, he released his debut CD, “Freedom’s Children: The Celebration,” a glimmeringly hopeful record immersed in the warm, danceable rhythms of Cyntje’s native U.S. Virgin Islands. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Twins profile

Harlem Gospel Choir, Howard Theatre, 12 p.m. | The talented Harlem Gospel Choir, which has been active since 1986, performs a Sunday brunch show every week at the Howard Theatre. Either an all-you-can-eat buffet or an a la carte menu are available. Doors open at noon, and the music starts at 1:30 p.m. Tickets vary ($35 for all-you-can-eat or $20 for admission and a la carte options in advance, $45 or $30 at the door). View event on calendar | Howard website

Jam Session with Peter Edelman, Columbia Station, 4 p.m. | Pianist Peter Edelman, a constant presence on the D.C. jazz scene for years now, leads an afternoon jam session every Saturday and Sunday. No cover, no minimum. View event on calendar | Columbia Station profile

D.C. Jazz Jam, Dahlak, 6 p.m. | This jazz jam presents a friendly, relaxed environment where professionals and amateurs can play together. No cover, no minimum. View event on calendar | Dahlak profile

Potomac Jazz Project, Laporta’s, 6:30 p.m. | The Potomac Jazz Project is a quartet that takes on modern and classic jazz tunes (and even some pop covers) with a showmanly flair, as well as skill. It’s led by bassist Stan Hamrick, and its rotating lineup often features some of D.C.’s best musicians. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Laporta’s website

Black Notes, Bohemian Caverns, 7 & 9 p.m. | Following in the tradition of era-defining Black bards like GIl Scott-Heron, the Last Poets, Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield, Black Notes integrates deep grooves and red-blooded messages of revolution and solidarity. The accomplished band includes Reginald Cyntje on trombone and Antonio Parker on alto saxophone. Two separate sets at 7 & 9 p.m. $15 cover, no minimum. View event on calendar | Bohemian Caverns profile

DC Choro, Grill from Ipanema, 7:30 p.m.| DC Choro is a sextet that plays Brazilian music drawing on European folk traditions. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Grill from Ipanema profile

Mike Flaherty’s Dixieland Jazz Direct, Zoo Bar Café, 7:30 p.m.| This combo specializes in traditional New Orleans-style jazz. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Zoo Bar website

Bobby Muncy, Twins Jazz, 8 & 10 p.m. | Saxophonist Bobby Muncy writes snaky tunes influenced by 20th century classical and alternative rock, as well as jazz. He appears at Twins with a straight-ahead combo all five Sundays this December. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $10 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar | Twins Jazz profile

Monty Alexander, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m. | Veteran pianist Monty Alexander uses jazz as a canvas, and the music of the Caribbean, American cities, and various other cultures around the globe as his colors. In his collaborations with the likes of Ray Brown and Milt Jackson, Alexander’s Jamaican roots have always shone through. He blends swing, calypso, funk groove, dub and other rhythms, while his pianism draws from Oscar Peterson and Horace Silver. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $40 cover, $12 minimum, $2.50 surcharge. View event on calendar | Blues Alley profile

Peter Edelman Trio, Columbia Station, 8:30 p.m. | The stalwart D.C. piano player Peter Edelman every Sunday night leads a rotating cast of musicians that often outgrows the title “trio.” no cover, one-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Columbia Station profile View event on calendar | Liv website

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