by Giovanni Russonello

Welcome to this week’s installation of “Weekend in Jazz,” a full list of every D.C. jazz show that we can get our hands on. If you’re just breezing through, check for the shows with a label — those are our favorites. This week, we’ve got one particular gig that’s nearest to our hearts: CapitalBop’s own D.C. Jazz Loft. Scroll down to Sunday to check it out, or click here for previews and endorsements by the Washington Post, City Paper and Borderstan. We hope to see many of you out at the loft!

As always, you can read CapitalBop’s full listings directly at our monthly calendar, if you prefer. Happy hunting!

FRIDAY, DEC. 3

cb picks:

• Alan Palmer’s New Soil, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m.
• Chuchito Valdés, HR-57, 9 p.m.
  
• Donvonte McCoy, 18th St. Lounge, 11 p.m.

Straight-Ahead Soul, 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’s performers are a cast of high-profile local jazz musicians, who will put a soulful and appropriately gospel-tinged touch on their straight-ahead jazz. The group includes Paul Carr on saxophone, Allyn Johnson on piano, Paul Pieper on guitar, Michael Bowie on bass and Harold Summey on drums. $5 cover for adults, no cover for attendees under 16, no minimum. View event on calendar | Westminster Presbyterian Church website

Lionel Loueke Trio, Atlas Performing Arts Center, 6:15 p.m. | This concert will be part of the Library of Congress’ Anniversary Concert Series. Per the LoC website: “West African harmonies and rhythms with jazz. Presented in cooperation with the Maison Française of the Embassy of France. Pre-concert presentation: Larry Appelbaum talks with Lionel Loueke. Ticket sale date: Tickets available Oct. 20 through the Atlas Performing Arts Center Box Office, 1333 H Street, N.E. (202) 399-7993.” The event is free, but tickets are required for admission. Pre-concert presentation: 6:15 p.m. Concert: 8 p.m. View event on calendar | Atlas Performing Arts Center website

Karen Gray Trio, Sala Thai (Bethesda), 7 p.m. | Commanding vocalist Karen Gray is joined by vibraphonist Pete Chauvette and bassist Hugh Johnson 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.), 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, but it’s usually a very solid lineup. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Sala Thai website

Yamomanem Jazz Band, 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

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

Roberta Gambarini & Paquito D’Rivera, Kennedy Center, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m. | Glance at the cover of the current issue of JazzTimes, and blazoned across the front you’ll find the words, “From Italy, an American Jazz Singer.” Right beside them is the face of Roberta Gambarini. Her vocals drip with solitude and longing, a deep and syrupy tone augmenting her stellar pitch. And she’s earning rave reviews across the world. Not only is she joined in this Kennedy Center performance by her band; NEA Jazz Master Paquito D’Rivera, a legendary clarinetist and saxophonist, is along for the ride. D’Rivera’s honking, insistent alto improvisations and aggressive fusion of rock with American and Latin jazz earned him fame in the 1970s. It will be fascinating to watch the up-and-coming ballad master mesh with this established Latin-fusion pioneer. Two separate sets at 7:30 & 9:30 p.m. $38 cover, no minimum. View event on calendar | Kennedy Center website

Lynne Fiddmont, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m. | Lynne Fiddmont sings a blend of jazz balladry and smooth R&B, often treating classic standards with heavy beats and flowing synthesizer lines. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $25 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar | Blues Alley profile

Alan Palmer’s New Soil, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m. | Pianist and Washington, D.C. native Alan Palmer’s music is rooted in both his experience performing with the greats of classic jazz and his commitment to exploring and valuing all manner of music across the spectrum of African-American history. Nothing is a better testament to both of these elements of his artistic identity than New Soil, Palmer’s current group. Its music defies any genre label. Suffice it to say that it is urban, gritty, fervid, cool, boppish, swingin’, go-go-infused, and stirring. $18 cover in advance, $22 at the door, no minimum. View event on calendar| Bohemian Caverns profile

Chuchito Valdés, HR-57, 9 p.m. | Although he’s most recognizable for his lineage (his father Chucho and grandfather Bebo were very famous musicians), Chuchito Valdes deserves his own level of recognition. His piano playing is magnanimous in demeanor and bursts with energy. His last album, “Cuban Dreams,” was nominated for a Latin Grammy award. He’ll perform here with a small group. $20 cover, no minimum. View event on calendar | HR-57 profile

Go Trio with Jeannie Brooks, Twins Jazz, 9 p.m. | The Go Trio performs vibrant, impressionistic takes on standards and modern jazz classics. The group consists of pianist Sean Gough, bassist Gene Perla and drummer Doug Herlinger. At Twins Jazz this weekend, they’re joined by frequent collaborator Jeannie Brooks on vocals. She sings with passion, often in energetic bursts and exclamations. $15 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar| Twins Jazz profile

Brulee, Columbia Station, 9:30 p.m. | Brulee is a jazz and alt-pop fusion quartet featuring vocalist Aura Kanegis. No cover, one-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Columbia Station profile

Donvonte McCoy, 18th St. Lounge, 11 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

DeAndre 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, DEC. 4

cb picks:

• Alan Palmer’s New Soil, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m.
• Chuchito Valdés, HR-57, 9 p.m.
  
• Donvonte McCoy, 18th St. Lounge, 11 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

District Jazz Trio, Sala Thai (Bethesda), 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

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 some serious bop. He performs straight-ahead with his trio here. 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

Freddie Redd & Butch Warren, 7 p.m., Big Room | Two heroes of the bop era, pianist Freddie Redd and bassist Butch Warren, come together to perform some of their original compositions. They’re joined by members of a new generation of D.C. jazz stars: saxophonists Brian Settles and Brad Linde, and drummer Tony Martucci. The Big Room, where the concert will occur, is at the home of two jazz advocates, Pètra and John Cook. To reserve a spot at the show and to find out about its address, contact them: [email protected]. No cover, donation strongly suggested, no minimum. | View event on calendar | Big Room website

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 with a showmanly flair, as well as skill. It features Steve Wolfe on tenor and soprano saxophones, Tala Faral on piano, Stan Hamrick on bass and Gary Taylor on drums and percussion. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Extra Virgin’s website

Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, Natural History Museum, 7:30 p.m. | The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, led by David N. Baker, performs swing classics with aplomb. Here, the group will take on famous seasonal tunes in a performance titled, “Swingin’ in the Holidays.” $25 cover, $20 for Smithsonian members, $18 for senior members, no minimum. View event on calendar | SJMO website

Marion Meadows, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m. | Saxophonist Marion Meadows has made a major name for himself since he started his career by working on a record with legendary smooth jazz pianist Bob James. Over the course of a 20-year-long recording career, Meadows has never turned his back on the smooth, and his albums often come close to the top of the contemporary jazz Billboard charts. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $25 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar | Blues Alley profile

Mark Deffenbaugh, Columbia Station, 8:30 p.m. | Pianist Mark Deffenbaugh plays smooth and funky jazz with a small group. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Columbia Station profile

Alan Palmer’s New Soil, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m. | Pianist and Washington, D.C. native Alan Palmer’s music is rooted in both his experience performing with the greats of classic jazz and his commitment to exploring and valuing all manner of music across the spectrum of African-American history. Nothing is a better testament to both of these elements of his artistic identity than New Soil, Palmer’s current group. Its music defies any genre label. Suffice it to say that it is urban, gritty, fervid, cool, boppish, swingin’, go-go-infused, and stirring. $18 cover in advance, $22 at the door, no minimum. View event on calendar| Bohemian Caverns profile

Chuchito Valdés, HR-57, 9 p.m. | Although he’s most recognizable for his lineage (his father Chucho and grandfather Bebo were very famous musicians), Chuchito Valdes deserves his own level of recognition. His piano playing is magnanimous in demeanor and bursts with energy. His last album, “Cuban Dreams,” was nominated for a Latin Grammy award. He’ll perform here with a small group. $20 cover, no minimum. View event on calendar | HR-57 profile

Go Trio with Jeannie Brooks, Twins Jazz, 9 p.m. | The Go Trio performs vibrant, impressionistic takes on standards and modern jazz classics. The group consists of pianist Sean Gough, bassist Gene Perla and drummer Doug Herlinger. At Twins Jazz this weekend, they’re joined by frequent collaborator Jeannie Brooks on vocals. She sings with passion, often in energetic bursts and exclamations. $15 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar| Twins Jazz 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. Vie?w event on calendar | 18th St. Lounge profile

Elijah Jamal Experience, Utopia, 11 p.m. | Young powerhouse tenor saxophonist Elijah Jamal Balbed heads up one of the swingin’est shows on U Street every Saturday night. The lineup of musicians on this late-night gig varies from week to week, but it’s consistently outstanding. Plus, with the Washington City Paper‘s 2010 Best New D.C. Jazz Musician award under his belt, the 20-year-old Balbed can always be expected always to deliver the goods on sax. no cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Utopia profile

SUNDAY, DEC. 5

cb pick:

• CapitalBop’s D.C. Jazz Loft, Red Door, 7 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.) 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. 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

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

Jazz Jam, Dahlak, 6:30 p.m. | This jazz jam presents a friendly, relaxed environment where professionals and amateurs can play together. This weekend’s house band features Peter Runk on keys, Evan Samuels on guitar, Eliot Seppa on bass and Will Stephens on drums. 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 with a showmanly flair, as well as skill. It features Steve Wolfe on tenor and soprano saxophones, Tala Faral on piano, Stan Hamrick on bass and Gary Taylor on drums and percussion. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Laporta’s website

CapitalBop’s D.C. Jazz Loft, 7 p.m., Red Door | CapitalBop presents its first-ever live show, the D.C. Jazz Loft, featuring a cross-section of the city’s top talent. The event is inspired by the jazz lofts of the bebop era, when musicians would come together in New York apartments after their gigs to stretch out creatively and try new ideas, free from the constraints of often-stuffy jazz clubs. The D.C. Jazz Loft is also designed to highlight many of the District’s best improvisational musicians, be they beboppers, free-jazz cats or fusion players. The lineup, in order of appearance, is as follows: OOO (avant-garde/free jazz); Bobby Muncy Quintet (post-bop composers’ collective); Matta Gawa (lo-fi/free fusion); Elliott Levin Trio (free jazz); U Street All-Stars (bebop/hard-bop greats). Free, small donation suggested, no minimum. View event on calendar | Event preview

Marion Meadows, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m. | Saxophonist Marion Meadows has made a major name for himself since he started his career by working on a record with legendary smooth jazz pianist Bob James. Over the course of a 20-year-long recording career, Meadows has never turned his back on the smooth, and his albums often come close to the top of the contemporary jazz Billboard charts. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $25 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar | Blues Alley profile

Bad.Loud.Trio, Twins Jazz, 8 p.m. | These young players like to swing, sure, but they’re also big fans of fusion, R&B, and even punk rock. All of this comes through in their roiling, ambitious post-bop. The group comprises drummer Kirk Kubicek, bassist Dane Galloway and keyboardist Joel Sephy. $10 cover, $10 minimum. $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

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