Weekend in Jazz | 3.29-3.31: Kendrick Scott, Bill Cole, Thad Wilson & more

Kendrick Scott performs this weekend at Bohemian Caverns. Courtesy Todd Williams

by Giovanni Russonello
Editorial board

Kendrick Scott, one of Concord Records’ newest signings, celebrates his new CD, the heady and immersive Conviction, with a run at Bohemian Caverns this weekend. Bill Cole follows him there on Sunday. At Twins, Sarah Hughes and Brad Linde team up to present their trademark update on the Tristano school. There’s info on all those shows and many more in this week’s edition of “Weekend in Jazz.” As always, you can find our full listings at CapitalBop’s D.C. jazz calendar. Our favorites have a label. Happy hunting!

FRIDAY, MARCH 29

cb picks:

  • Thad Wilson & Allison Crockett, Westminster Presbyterian, 6 p.m.
  • Sarah Hughes-Brad Linde Quartet, Twins Jazz, 8 & 10 p.m.
  • Kendrick Scott, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m.
  • Donvonte McCoy, 18th Street Lounge, 10:30 p.m.

Thad Wilson & Allison Crockett, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 6 p.m. | The trumpeter Thad Wilson, a stalwart of the D.C. scene, has a forward and affirmative attack; he’s joined here by the strong vocalist Allison Crockett. The two will pay tribute to Clifford Brown and Sarah Vaughan in this show, also with Michael Bowie on bass, Andrew Adair on piano and Lenny Robinson on drums. $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

Triple Double, Sala Thai (Petworth), 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

Sarah Hughes-Brad Linde Quartet, Twins Jazz, 8 & 10 p.m. | Brad Linde, a studious and sturdy saxophonist who alternates between tenor and baritone, joins the alto saxophonist Sarah Hughes, who makes focused streaks of melody, in a sparse quartet, with Tom Baldwin on bass and Tony Martucci on drums. Two separate sets at 8 and 10 p.m. $10 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar | Twins Jazz profile

Lee Ritenour, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m. | A talented guitarist who performed early in his career with Lena Horne and Tony Bennett, Lee Ritenour now plays smooth jazz. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $50 cover, $2.50 surcharge, $12 minimum. View event on calendar | Blues Alley profile

Steven Walker Quartet, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 8 p.m. | The guitarist and singer Steven Walker boasts a broad repertoire that encompasses jazz standards and classic pop tunes. He appears here with a jazz combo. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Mandarin Oriental website

Kendrick Scott Oracle, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m. | The drummer Kendrick Scott avoids zealotry, which isn’t to say he’s light on certainty. Scott’s questing ear for rhythms and harmonic structures from around the globe complements a fascination with the layers of electronic music and classic hip-hop. With Oracle, the mutable ensemble that he has led since the mid-2000s, Scott undergirds a lush pastiche with his deep-pocketed drum feel, equally serviceable in swing and groove. The group will be playing music from its new album, “Conviction,” just released on March 26. Separate sets at 8:30 & 10:30 p.m. $22 cover in advance, $28 at the door, no minimum. View event on calendar | Bohemian Caverns profile

Antonio Parker Quartet, HR-57, 9 p.m. | The alto saxophonist Antonio Parker’s playing is swinging and soulful, colored by 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 of Kenny Garrett. $15 cover, no minimum. View event on calendar | HR-57 profile

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

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, MARCH 30

cb picks:

  • Kendrick Scott Oracle, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m.
  • Sarah Hughes-Brad Linde Quartet, Twins Jazz, 8 & 10 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

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

Potomac Jazz Project, Sala Thai (Bethesda), 7 p.m. | The Potomac Jazz Project is a jazz combo led by bassist Stan Hamrick that takes on modern and classic jazz tunes with a showmanly flair, as well as skill. The cast of supporting musicians tends to rotate. No cover, 1-drink minimum.View event on calendar | Sala Thai website

Sarah Hughes-Brad Linde Quartet, Twins Jazz, 8 & 10 p.m. | Brad Linde, a studious and sturdy saxophonist who alternates between tenor and baritone, joins the alto saxophonist Sarah Hughes, who makes focused streaks of melody, in a sparse quartet, with Tom Baldwin on bass and Tony Martucci on drums. Two separate sets at 8 and 10 p.m. $10 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar | Twins Jazz profile

Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra w/Bobby Floyd, GMU Hylton Performing Arts Center, 8 p.m. | The Northern Virginia-based Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra will perform a special concert featuring the soulful organist Bobby Floyd, an Ohio native. The program is called “The Gospel Truth.” Ticket prices vary ($28, $36 and $44). View event on calendar | Hylton PAC website

Lee Ritenour, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m. | A talented guitarist who performed early in his career with Lena Horne and Tony Bennett, Lee Ritenour now plays smooth jazz. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $50 cover, $2.50 surcharge, $12 minimum. View event on calendar | Blues Alley profile

Kendrick Scott Oracle, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m. | The drummer Kendrick Scott avoids zealotry, which isn’t to say he’s light on certainty. Scott’s questing ear for rhythms and harmonic structures from around the globe complements a fascination with the layers of electronic music and classic hip-hop. With Oracle, the mutable ensemble that he has led since the mid-2000s, Scott undergirds a lush pastiche with his deep-pocketed drum feel, equally serviceable in swing and groove. The group will be playing music from its new album, “Conviction,” just released on March 26. Separate sets at 8:30 & 10:30 p.m. $22 cover in advance, $28 at the door, no minimum. View event on calendar | Bohemian Caverns profile

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

Alfredo Mojica, HR-57, 9 p.m. | Alfredo Mojica, who sang for years with the group Sin Miedo, unites salsa, jazz and Latin American balladry. $15 cover, no minimum. View event on calendar | HR-57 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, MARCH 31

cb picks:

  • Bill Cole’s Untempered Ensemble, Bohemian Caverns, 7 & 9 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

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

Todd Simon, Kellari Taverna, 12 p.m. | The sturdy and swinging pianist Todd Simon performs every Sunday in a duo setting; his accompanists vary from bass to guitar to saxophone, depending on the week. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Kellari Taverna 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

Bill Cole’s Untempered Ensemble, Bohemian Caverns, 7 & 9 p.m. | Bill Cole has been redefining the border between jazz and world music since the early 1970s, when he began playing a variety of East Asian double-reed horns. Today, he carries on the legacy of Yusef Lateef, Ken McIntyre and many others who have used such instruments to expand their idiom. Since 1992, Cole has led the Untempered Ensemble, which today includes Warren Smith on percussion, Joe Daley on euphonium and tuba, Ras Moshe on tenor saxophone and flute, Atticus Cole on hand drums, Shayna Dulberger on bass, Althea Sully Cole on voice and kora, and Cole on double reed horns. $15 cover, no minimum. [words by Luke Stewart] View event on calendar | Bohemian Caverns 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

Lee Ritenour, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m. | A talented guitarist who performed early in his career with Lena Horne and Tony Bennett, Lee Ritenour now plays smooth jazz. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $50 cover, $2.50 surcharge, $12 minimum. View event on calendar | Blues Alley profile

Bobby Muncy, Twins Jazz, 8 & 10 p.m. | The 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 quartet. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $10 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar | Twins Jazz 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 

Comments

comments


About Giovanni Russonello

view all posts

A co-founder of CapitalBop, Giovanni Russonello has also served as a music writer and critic for the New York Times. He teaches writing as a lecturer at New York University's School of Professional Studies and hosts a weekly radio show on WPFW 89.3 FM on Thursdays from 3 to 5 p.m. He is currently at work on a biography of Gil Scott-Heron. Reach Giovanni at [email protected]. Read him at giovannirussonello.tumblr.com or nytimes.com/by/giovanni-russonello.

You May Like This


CapitalBop