As I write this column on Thanksgiving Day, I just want to say: I am thankful. For all of you that read this column every month (or whenever you can), all of you that support CapitalBop’s work, and especially all of you whose artistic and personal contributions help make the D.C. jazz scene the remarkable expression of creativity and resilience that it is.
We’re also grateful to announce a return-to-form this month: Peter Edelman, former master of jam ceremonies at the erstwhile Columbia Station, has returned to the space next door, formerly known as Moonlight, now once again known as Green Island Cafe. Going forward, he’ll be there four nights a week (Thursday through Sunday).
As December arrives and the weather turns cold, the city’s venues turn the holiday cheer up to 11. Blues Alley in particular is feeling the spirit, hosting a month of holiday- and Christmas-themed performances, from the traditionally annual (such as the Redd Brothers on Dec. 16 and Veronneau on Dec. 21) to the newly annual (Herm Hopkins’ “Frosty the Snowman” on Dec. 9) to the brand new, as Alison Crockett presents two different holiday shows on Dec. 12 and Dec. 13.
Other holiday favorites returning this year include NPR’s A Jazz Piano Christmas at the Kennedy Center on Dec. 7, headlined this year by the creative wonder Kris Davis; the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra’s annual big band holiday set on Dec. 9; and Ben Williams’ dual birthday and holiday blowout at The Hamilton on Dec. 29.
For all other holiday- and non-holiday-related jazz needs, consult the full D.C. jazz calendar.
We have one more, exciting piece of news to report on the calendaring front: CapitalBop has just launched an audio version of the jazz calendar, which will play on WPFW 89.3 FM multiple times a day going forward. We’re proud to be continuing and strengthening our longstanding partnership with D.C.’s “jazz and justice” community radio station, and to be getting more info on the air about live jazz around town. (If you are happy to hear about this, and all the work we do to fortify D.C.’s living jazz culture, but you haven’t yet given to our fall fundraising drive, please do consider making a much-needed pledge of support for our work.)
WARREN WOLF TRIO
Thursday, Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m.
Cinema Arts Theater (tickets)
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Warren Wolf is one of the great masters of the mallets in modern jazz. Whether on vibraphone or marimba, using two mallets or four, Wolf’s playing is lean and fast. He’s a regular on the road with Christian McBride’s Inside Straight (and once upon a time with the SFJazz Collective) and also leads his own group, Wolfpack, a collection of top Baltimore and D.C. players, through sharp bop, standards and more brooding, sometimes-electronic originals.
Here he leads a trio featuring Alex Browne on bass and Julian Berkowitz on drums as part of a special concert presented by Jazz4Justice. Ticket price includes hors d’oevres.
CATALYTIC SOUND FESTIVAL
Saturday, Dec. 7, 6 p.m.
Rhizome DC (tickets)
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Catalytic Sound is a collective of creative musicians throughout the country seeking to support a more sustainable ecosystem in which their music can exist and thrive, as well as to connect audiences to the creative world. The organization (one of whose members is CapitalBop co-founder Luke Stewart) puts on an annual festival across various U.S. cities, and the D.C. portion regularly takes place at — where else? — Rhizome.
The multi-act bill features Stewart with Mark Cisneros and Nik Francis in We Were Here Before, offering a tribute to the spirit of D.C.’s Aaron Martin Jr.; “genre-fluid” accordion-player Simone Baron leading a creative quartet, featuring Baltimore trumpeter Dave Ballou, New York bassist Adi Meyerson and Chicago tabla player Krissy Bergmark; Zurich-based free guitarist Florian Stoffner with woodwind player Hans Koch and electronic musician Sam Pluta; and the Chicago-based improvising quartet of cornetist Josh Berman, Eli Wallace on prepared piano, Ishmael Ali on cello and Bill Harris on drums.
LENA SEIKALY’S ODE TO CHRISTMAS
Tuesday, Dec. 10, 7 and 9:30 p.m.
Blues Alley (tickets)
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Vocalist Lena Seikaly performs with a warm and classic mezzo-soprano tone, and a natural sense of swing. She sings standards and originals with confidence and imagination, and also writes gorgeous, dreamlike songs. Here she leads a special Christmas set as part of Blues Alley’s festive December programming.
BOBBY FELDER & THE CAPITOL ALL STARS BIG BAND
Saturday, Dec. 21, 6:30 p.m.
Wesley United Methodist Church (tickets)
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Trombonist Bobby Felder is one of the last of that original generation of D.C. jazz elders that came up when the music was still near the zenith of its popularity, in the 1950s and ’60s. He arrived in D.C. as part of the armed forces – as many musicians still do today – and quickly joined the likes of Shirley Horn, Buck Hill and Charlie Byrd.
He and his big band usually gig the most around town in the fall and early winter. The band is a multi-generational affair, featuring 17 of the city’s strongest straight-ahead players, ranging from Felder’s contemporaries to popular alto saxophonist Herb Scott. The group returns to the Wesley Methodist Church for its annual Christmas and holiday season concert.
ANTONIO PARKER
Saturday, Dec. 28, 7 p.m.
Takoma Station Tavern (tickets)
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Alto saxophonist Antonio Parker’s playing is doggedly swinging, soulful and colored by a bright, aggressive tone. He casually sprinkles neo-soul and R&B influences into his otherwise straight-ahead bop, and his improvisation reflects a deep study of Kenny Garrett. He closes out Takoma Station Tavern’s jazz presentations for 2024.
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