Weekend in Jazz | 2.18-2.20: Mid-Atlantic Jazz Fest swings in the 'burbs and bop abounds on U St. -

Saxophone legend Jimmy Heath performs this weekend at the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival. Courtesy in2jazz

by Giovanni Russonello

This weekend, all other things D.C. jazz play second fiddle to the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival. Check out CapitalBop’s full guide to the MAJF, which is going on all weekend at the Hilton Hotel in Rockville, Md. But there are dozens of quality jazz shows inside D.C.’s city limits too. Our favorites are marked with a label. As always, you can also read CapitalBop’s full listings directly at our monthly calendar. Happy hunting!

FRIDAY, FEB. 18
cb picks:

Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival (read the CapitalBop guide)
Bobby Watson, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m.
Lyle Link Quartet, Twins Jazz, 9 & 11 p.m.
Donvonte McCoy, 18th Street Lounge, 10:30 p.m.

Marshall Keys Quartet, 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. This week, one of D.C.’s longtime leading lights, saxophonist Marshall Keys, leads a quartet. Keys’ horn can sing the blues or swing to the rhythms of bebop; the native Washingtonian is a fluid, graceful player across genres. He’s joined by an all-star cast of Federico Peña on piano, Michael Bowie on bass and Mark Prince on drums. $5 cover for adults, no cover for attendees under 16, no minimum. View event on calendar | Westminster Presbyterian Church website

Tiacoh Sadia, Black Fox Lounge, 6 p.m. | Drummer Tiacoh Sadia, who hails from the Ivory Coast but lives in D.C., fearlessly blends the fierce rhythmic sensibilities of his homeland into his take on American jazz. He plays with a small group during cocktail hours at the laid-back Black Fox Lounge. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Black Fox profile

Karen Gray Trio, Sala Thai (Bethesda), 6:30 p.m. | Commanding vocalist Karen Gray is joined by guitarist Dave Mosick and bassist Dave Einhorn in her laid-back renditions of jazz standards. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Sala Thai website

Potomac Jazz Project, Sala Thai (U St.), 6:30 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, but it’s usually a very solid lineup. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Sala Thai website

L’Tanya Mari Trio, Sala Thai (Petworth), 7 p.m. | Singer L’Tanya Mari is influenced by Ella Fitzgerald, singing jazz with depth and soulful warmth. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Sala Thai website

Jolley Brothers, B. Smith’s, 7 p.m. | The Jolley Brothers, Noble on keyboard and Nate on drums, play thrice a weekend at B. Smith’s, the upscale soul-food restaurant in Union Station’s massive East Hall. The Jolleys, who perform with a bassist, comprise one of D.C.’s most exciting and auspicious acts. With roots in gospel, soul and the modal bop of the 1960s, the brothers (who also compose prolifically) bring some of the most creative elements in the African-American music canon forward into the 21st century, all while stamping it with their own distinctive flavoring. But B. Smith’s is a restaurant first, and the music remains in the background – no matter how expertly played. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | B. Smith’s website

Elijah & the Po’ Boys, Bayou, 7 p.m. | Tenor saxophonist Elijah Jamal Balbed leads the Po’ Boys trio — usually with drums and guitar — four nights a week during dinnertime hours at the New Orleans-themed Bayou. A strong, Dexter Gordon-like player, he performs mostly tunes from hard bop’s heyday and other standards. To hear Balbed stretch out with a full quintet, stay late on a Thursday night, when he plays Bayou’s featured set. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Bayou profile

WKSP Jazz Quartet, Level X Lounge, 8 p.m. | Drummer Will Stephens leads the Jazz Jam at Dahlak every Sunday, but this Friday he’s bringing jazz to a different D.C. restaurant: Axum. Located just off U St., this Ethiopian joint opened up its own music venue last year, the Level X Lounge. Stephens will perform with the WKSP Jazz Quartet, a quartet featuring the multi-talented reedist Seth Kibel; keyboardist Kenny Peagler, an expert player who recently graduated from New England Conservatory but performs precious little; and veteran bassist Percy White, who has played with greats Ramsey Lewis and Ronnie Laws. $5 cover, no minimum. View event on calendar | Level X Lounge website

Kim Waters, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m. | Saxophonist Kim Waters is one of the architects of the now-popular “urban smooth” sound. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $35 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar | Blues Alley profile

Lena Seikaly Quartet, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 8 p.m. | Vocalist Lena Seikaly sings jazz standards with a confident and playful demeanor, displaying a haziness reminiscent of Esperanza Spalding, but also nodding to traditional greats. She’s backed by a trio featuring brothers Robert and Chuck Redd on piano and drums, respectively, and Tom Baldwin on bass. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Mandarin Oriental Hotel website

Andrea Wood & Michael Kramer, Tasting Room, 8 p.m. | Singer Andrea Wood has started catching people’s ears since returning to D.C., her hometown, in 2009. The Duke Ellington School of the Arts graduate moves fearlessly up and down octaves, all the while maintaining a distinct sense of purpose. She can explore the upper register in a beguiling waft, or plunge into the basement with buoyant, swelling articulation. Wood and guitarist Michael Kramer play Brazilian and classic jazz standards every week as background fare at the Tasting Room, a wine bar in Friendship Heights. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Tasting Room website

Bobby Watson, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m. | Saxophonist Bobby Watson held high the the hard-bop banner during some of classic jazz’s darkest days: the late 1970s. In the trying pre-Wynton Marsalis era, so dominated by fusion, Watson served as musical director for Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers in the years just prior to Wynton Marsalis’ possession of that title. (Watson went on to play on Marsalis’ acclaimed 1981 debut album leading a combo.) Ever since, Watson has been known as a top composer, improviser and producer. As an alto saxophonist, he’s a master of the bop idiom, known for clarion and clean but emotionally rugged solos. He’s joined here by the great Philadelphia piano innovator Orrin Evans, bassist Curtis Lundy and drummer Eric Kennedy. Two separate sets at 8:30 & 10:30. $25 cover in advance, $30 at the door, no minimum. View event on calendar | Bohemian Caverns profile

Lyle Link Quartet, Twins Jazz, 9 & 11 p.m. | With a presentation that’s always strong and often sultry, saxophonist and flautist Lyle Link grabs you, tells you the music is about feeling as much as it’s about hearing. This soulful and sophisticated player has been a mainstay of D.C.’s jazz scene for over 10 yeas, and he’s had a major hand in its revitalization. A revitalization – it bears mentioning – that wouldn’t have happened without clubs like Twins Jazz. This weekend, Link leads a quartet at Twins. Two separate sets at 9 & 11 p.m. $15 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar | Twins Jazz profile

Peter Edelman Trio, Columbia Station, 9:30 p.m. | The stalwart D.C. piano player Peter Edelman every week leads a rotating cast of musicians that often outgrows the title “trio.” No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Columbia Station profile

Aaron Myers, Black Fox Lounge, 9:30 p.m. | Vocalist Aaron Myers leads this straight-ahead jazz quartet, featuring piano, bass and drums, at the new Black Fox Lounge. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Black Fox Lounge 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. Cover varies ($5-10), no minimum. View event on calendar | 18th St. Lounge profile

DeAndrey Howard’s Collector’s Edition, Utopia, 11 p.m. | Trumpeter DeAndre Howard’s weekly engagement at Utopia brings hordes to the restaurant and bar every Friday night. He and his small group, Collector’s Edition, play standards with a friendly, inviting touch, and they add to the positive vibes already flowing throughout the room — especially when Howard tosses aside the trumpet to sing a spontaneous blues. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Utopia profile

SATURDAY, FEB. 19
cb picks:

Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival (read the CapitalBop guide)
William Hooker, Matta Gawa & Meta, The Cherch, 7 p.m.
Bobby Watson, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m.
Lyle Link Quartet, Twins Jazz, 9 & 11 p.m.
Donvonte McCoy, 18th Street Lounge, 10:30 p.m.
Elijah Jamal Experience, Utopia, 11 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

Full Ascent Jazz Band, Sala Thai (Petworth), 7 p.m. | This jazz band plays in a number of traditional styles, from hard-bop to Dixieland to calypso. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Sala Thai 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

Jon Schneider Trio, Sala Thai (Bethesda), 7 p.m. | No description available. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Sala Thai website

Updated: William Hooker, Matta Gawa & Meta, The Cherch, 7 p.m. | Free jazz drummer William Hooker is as interested in tone and texture as he is in pure percussiveness. His experimental music often rumbles, rustles and trembles, rather than pulsing or charging any particular end point. He’s been a considerable force in free jazz since arriving on the New York City scene in the mid-1970s. Catch him here with the local bands Matta Gawa — a free jazz/metal fusion duo — and Meta — a recently formed group led by guitarist Brandon Moses of the indie-rock trio Laughing Man. $5 cover, no minimum (BYOB). View event on calendar | The Cherch Facebook page

Lena Seikaly & Potomac Jazz Project, 7:30 p.m., Extra Virgin Restaurant | Vocalist Lena Seikaly sings jazz standards with a confident and playful demeanor, displaying a haziness reminiscent of Esperanza Spalding as well as a deference to traditional greats. 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 | Extra Virgin’s website

Miles Griffith Quartet, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 8 p.m.| Vocalist Miles Griffith favors clarity over precision, singing jazz standards, popular classics and original songs with warmth and freedom. He’s joined at Mandarin Oriental by Chris Grasso on piano, Tommy Cecil on bass and Lenny Robinson on drums. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Mandarin Oriental Hotel website

Lyle Link Quartet, Twins Jazz, 9 p.m. | With a presentation that’s always strong and often sultry, saxophonist and flautist Lyle Link grabs you, tells you the music is about feeling as much as it’s about hearing. This soulful and sophisticated player has been a mainstay of D.C.’s jazz scene for over 10 yeas, and he’s had a major hand in its revitalization. A revitalization – it bears mentioning – that wouldn’t have happened without clubs like Twins Jazz. This weekend, Link leads a quartet at Twins. Two separate sets at 9 & 11 p.m. $15 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar | Twins Jazz profile

Kaos Theory, Columbia Station, 9:30 p.m. | Kaos Theory is a smooth funk band. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Columbia Station profile

Elijah Jamal Experience, Utopia, 11 p.m. | Young powerhouse tenor saxophonist Elijah Jamal Balbed heads up one of the swinginest shows on U Street every Saturday night. His sound drips with the blues, and from the bell of this 20-year-old’s horn seem to rise the ghosts of Coleman Hawkins and Dexter Gordon. With the Washington City Paper‘s 2010 Best New D.C. Jazz Musician award under his belt, Balbed can always be expected always to deliver the goods. No cover, 1-drink minimum View event on calendar | Utopia profile

SUNDAY, FEB. 20
cb picks:

Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival (read the CapitalBop guide)
Jolley Brothers, B. Smith’s, 12 p.m.

Kevin Pace Trio, Chef Geoff’s, 11 a.m. | Kevin Pace has a strong command on the bass and an intuitive ear as a composer. He puts both on display at the restaurant Chef Geoff’s, where he performs every week during Sunday brunch. This is background music, but that’s because of the environment, not the performance — which is anything but second-rate. (To hear Pace stretch out a bit more, catch him at Utopia with the Bobby Muncy Quartet, every Wednesday except the third of the month.) Pace has announced that his nearly eight-year run at Chef Geoff’s will be coming to a close next week, making this his second-to-last Sunday brunch performance. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Chef Geoff’s website

Jolley Brothers, B. Smith’s, 12 p.m. | The Jolley Brothers, Noble on keyboard and Nate on drums, play thrice a weekend at B. Smith’s, the upscale soul-food restaurant in Union Station’s massive East Hall. The Jolleys, who perform with a bassist, comprise one of D.C.’s most exciting and auspicious acts. With roots in gospel, soul and the modal bop of the 1960s, the brothers (who also compose prolifically) bring some of the most creative elements in the African-American music canon forward into the 21st century, all while stamping it with their own distinctive flavoring. B. Smith’s is a restaurant first, and the music remains in the background – no matter how expertly played. But as far as jazz brunch goes, it’s hard to top the Jolleys’ music. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | B. Smith’s website

D.C. Jazz Jam, Dahlak, 6:30 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 | View 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

Rachel Panay, Black Fox Lounge, 7 p.m. | Vocalist Rachel Panay sings jazz with her quartet. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Black Fox Lounge profile

Mychael Pollard, Twins Jazz, 8 p.m. | You might know Mychael “Myke P.” Pollard as a member of the hip-hop group Triflava, but the Duke Ellington School of the Arts graduate is also a talented keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist. He will explore jazz, funk, smooth and convergent styles with his small group, which features Steve Quam on electric bass and Nick Costa on drums. $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 every Sunday night leads a rotating cast of musicians that often outgrows the title “trio.” No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar |Columbia Station profile

Cheryl Jones Trio, Utopia, 9 p.m. | Singer Cheryl Jones has a weekly engagement every Sunday at Utopia, where she sings with depth, force and clarity. Jones is equally likely to sing jazz standards, pop tunes or gospel classics. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Utopia profile