by Giovanni Russonello
Editorial board

Last month, the D.C. Jazz Loft enjoyed a victorious kickoff celebration at its new venue. In our debut show at the Dunes, three fire-breathing bands made sure that the transition went decidedly un-smoothly. You can check out some great photos from that show at staff photographer Carlyle V. Smith’s website.

This month, we’re back in action with another killer lineup of musically diverse, thrilling performers. Trombone titan Joseph Bowie, the founder of famous jazz-funk big band Defunkt, returns to D.C. for a freeform duet with drummer Nasar Abadey; Jessica Boykin-Settles steps forward to display her vocal mastery; and young bassist Eliot Seppa leads his own trio, showing off some fresh compositions and reworkings of jazz standards.

 
The Dunes is equipped with a full and reasonably priced bar, and you’re welcome to bring your own grub if you like. As always, the loft is donation-based; we strongly suggest contributing at least $10 to the musicians on your way in. And of course, the show will end in an open jam session, so if you’re a musician, come prepared! If not, just bring something to bang on.

JOSEPH BOWIE WITH NASAR ABADEY

Joseph Bowie founded and performed for decades in the groundbreaking jazz-funk band Defunkt. With a sound somewhere between Funkadelic, Chuck Brown & the Soul Searchers and Fishbone, Defunkt earned adoration for powerful grooves and searing solos. But Bowie’s interests range far and wide; like his late brother, jazz legend Lester Bowie, he also has deep curiosities in the free jazz realm. Bowie, a former Washington-area resident, will perform at the loft in a freeform duo alongside drummer and D.C. jazz stalwart Nasar Abadey. (Bowie gave a heart-stopping performance at Red Door last year, as part of the B.E.B. Ensemble; if that show was any indication, this one will be a burner.)

 

JESSICA BOYKIN-SETTLES

Jessica Boykin-Settles’ story is similar to that of many a consummate jazz musician: Recognized in high school as one of the top young singers in her hometown (D.C.), Boykin-Settles moved to New York City to pursue jazz; graduated from a major music program; began gigging around the Big Apple as a bandleader; performed internationally; and then moved back to the city where she’d grown up, becoming one of its most influential, beneficent jazz educators. Too often, this narrative ends up with the educator vanishing into the depths of the conservatory, hardly ever to perform again. Luckily, Boykin-Settles does step onstage every so often, and at Sunday’s loft she’ll be displaying her savvy as a composer and arranger, and the twinkling precision of her voice.

 

ELIOT SEPPA

Eliot Seppa is one of D.C.’s first-call rising talents on the bass, holding his own in a bassist-heavy town. The Howard University jazz studies major is just 20 years old, but in the past two years his broad, bounding sound has grown up tremendously. He now plays with an assurance often reserved for much older players, even while retaining the verve of a youthful comer. Seppa will step into the spotlight at the helm of his own trio, showcasing his compositions and original interpretations of jazz standards.

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Photo on flyer by Carlyle V. Smith/CapitalBop.

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