Weekend in Jazz | 1.3-1.5: Heidi Martin's tribute to Abbey Lincoln; a surplus of sax talent -

Heidi Martin performs a tribute to Abbey Lincoln this weekend, with the help of a stellar band. Elliot Blumberg/CapitalBop

by Giovanni Russonello
Editorial board

The instrument of the moment this weekend is the saxophone: sultry local players Lyle Link and Herb Scott lead bands on Friday and Saturday, respectively, and the Bethesda-reared, New York City-based Anderson Twins play at Twins both nights. Then there’s the acclaimed tenor saxophonist Avram Fefer, who kicks off the year for Transparent Productions’ ongoing “Sundays at 7 at the Caverns” avant-garde series.

Also at Bohemian Caverns, the introspective and inspiring local vocalist Heidi Martin performs a tribute on Friday and Saturday to one of her defining heroes, Abbey Lincoln. Martin’s band includes some of the best in the business: the pianist James Weidman, the bassist Tarus Mateen, the drummer Steve Williams and others. You can also find our full listings at CapitalBop’s D.C. jazz calendar. All our favorite shows below have a label. Happy hunting!

FRIDAY, JANUARY 3

cb picks:

Lyle Link, Westminster Presbyterian, 6 p.m.
Anderson Twins, Twins Jazz, 8 & 10 p.m.
Heidi Martin, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m.
Jazz Jam, Ulah Bistro, 11 p.m.

Lyle Link, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 6 p.m. | With a presentation that’s always spry and sometimes sultry, the saxophonist and flautist Lyle Link tells you the music is about something more than close listening. A soulful and sophisticated player who’s been a mainstay of D.C.’s jazz scene for over 10 years, Link leads a quintet at Westminster featuring Chris Grasso on piano, Tommy Cecil on bass, Lenny Robinson on drums and Akua Allrich on vocals. $5 cover for adults, no cover for attendees under 16, no minimum. View event on calendar | Westminster Presbyterian Church website

Jacqui Simmons & Friends, Sala Thai (RI Ave.), 7 p.m. | Jacqui Simmons sings jazz standards with a heartfelt and elegant presentation. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Sala Thai 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

Yamomanem, Sala Thai (Petworth), 7 p.m. | The Yamomanem Jazz Band plays a faithful take on New Orleans jazz, conjuring the days of King Oliver and early Louis Armstrong with its lush brass section. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Sala Thai website

Potomac Jazz Project, Sala Thai (U St.), 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

Pete Muldoon, Chez Billy, 7 p.m. | Pete Muldoon plays earthy, blues-indebted jazz guitar. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Chez Billy website

Anderson Twins, Twins Jazz, 8 & 10 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 composers. The Bethesda, Md. natives started out in the early 2000s as students of Paul Carr; since then they have studied with the likes of Dr. Billy Taylor, James Moody, Barry Harris and Clark Terry. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $16 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar | Twins Jazz profile

Chris Thomas King, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m. | The guitarist and vocalist Chris Thomas King is on a mission: to revitalize the moldering world of blues music with infusions of hip-hop and other contemporary ideas. He draws on lessons he learned in the hometown that he shares with the blues, New Orleans, and tours throughout the world. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $24 cover, $2.50 surcharge, $12 minimum. View event on calendar | Blues Alley profile

Heidi Martin, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m. | The vocalist Heidi Martin is one of D.C.’s treasures: She emits messages complex but clear, with an essence of mourning and resilience that hints at Billie Holiday and a quavering force not unlike Joni Mitchell’s. But as a poet, she’s most closely linked to Abbey Lincoln, that vocalist and composer whose ear was always turned toward the acridity of injustice—not just its effects, but the ways we can move beyond it by drilling down. This weekend Martin performs a program paying tribute to Lincoln, and she’s joined by a crack band: James Weidman on piano, Paul Bollenback on guitar, Tarus Mateen on bass, Steve Williams on drums and Donvonte McCoy on trumpet. Two separate sets at 8:30 & 10:30. $20 cover in advance, $25 at the door, no minimum. View event on calendar | Bohemian 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

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

U St. Jazz Jam, Ulah Bistro, 11 p.m. | U Street restaurant Ulah Bistro has stepped up to fill the void that Utopia left open last year, when it closed to make way for the construction of a new condos complex. That restaurant housed the block’s most reliable, convivial jam sessions. Ulah gives a taste of that energy once a week, late on Friday nights. This week the saxophonist Herb Scott helms the proceedings. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Ulah website

SATURDAY, JANUARY 4

cb picks:

Herb Spice & Cinnamonstix, Chez Billy, 7 p.m.
Anderson Twins, Twins Jazz, 8 & 10 p.m.
Heidi Martin, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 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

George Oakley Two-tet, Firelake Grill, 7 p.m. | The singer and reeds player George Oakley teams up with the guitarist Nick Lipkowski to present low-key jazz takes on classic repertoire, as background fare at the Firelake Grill. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Firelake Grill website

Herb Spice & Cinnamonstix, Chez Billy, 7 p.m. | Herb Scott is a young, soulful powerhouse of an alto saxophonist. As a bandleader, he sometimes veers into smooth jazz, but when working within the straight-ahead realm his fleetness and power are undeniable. Here he leads a trio featuring Hope Udobi on keyboard and Warren “Trae” Crudup on drums. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Chez Billy 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

District Jazz Trio, Sala Thai (U St.), 7 p.m. | A self-described “cool swinging jazz trio,” the District Jazz Trio is saxophonist Seth Popkin, pianist Dan Nathan and bassist Roger Rosa. The group plays jazz standards. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Sala Thai website

Full Ascent, 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

Karen Gray Trio, Sala Thai (RI Ave.), 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

Heidi Martin, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 p.m. | The vocalist Heidi Martin is one of D.C.’s treasures: She emits messages complex but clear, with an essence of mourning and resilience that hints at Billie Holiday and a quavering force not unlike Joni Mitchell’s. But as a poet, she’s most closely linked to Abbey Lincoln, that vocalist and composer whose ear was always turned toward the acridity of injustice—not just its effects, but the ways we can move beyond it by drilling down. This weekend Martin performs a program paying tribute to Lincoln, and she’s joined by a crack band: James Weidman on piano, Paul Bollenback on guitar, Tarus Mateen on bass, Steve Williams on drums and Donvonte McCoy on trumpet. Two separate sets at 8:30 & 10:30. $20 cover in advance, $25 at the door, no minimum. View event on calendar | Bohemian profile

Charlie Sayles & the Blues Disciples, HR-57, 9 p.m. | No description available. $15 cover, no minimum. View event on calendar | HR-57 profile

SUNDAY, JANUARY 5

cb pick:

Avram Fefer, 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

George Oakley Group, Redwood Restaurant, 11 a.m. | George Oakley invests all the reeds he plays – saxophone, clarinet and flute – with a whispering coolness. In this weekly brunch gig, he performs with a laid-back trio featuring Scott Giambusso on bass and Nick Lipkowski on guitar. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Redwood 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

D.C. Jazz Jam, Dahlak (with Allyn Johnson), 6:30 p.m. | The D.C. Jazz Jam presents a friendly, relaxed environment where professionals and amateurs can play together. This week, Allyn Johnson takes the piano chair as the jam’s “monthly master.” Johnson spent years mastering his instrument in churches and jazz bands around D.C., and has divined an approach to uniting glide and percussiveness. 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

Avram Fefer, Bohemian Caverns, 7 & 9 p.m. | A salient member of the extended downtown scene in New York City, Avram Fefer continues to build momentum with a melody-forward attack that’s more graceful than gruff. He appears in a band featuring the ever tasteful Adam Lane on bass, plus Reut Regev on trombone and Igal Foni on drums. This show is the first in 2014 from Transparent Productions’ “Sundays at 7 at the Caverns” series. Two separate sets at 7 & 9 p.m. $10 cover in advance, $15 at the door. [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

Diane Marino, Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club, 11 a.m. | The vocalist Diane Marino sings jazz standards with a pert, effervescent manner. Tickets $15, $10 minimum for dining-area seating.View event on calendar | Bethesda Blues website

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