Weekend in Jazz | 2.14-2.16: Valentine's jazz and the jam-packed Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival -

Editorial board

This Friday night, the clubs are bounding with Valentine’s Day specials. Check out Irene Jalenti at Twins Jazz or Akua Allrich at Bohemian Caverns — two vocalists ready with their own singular sorts of romantic entertainment. And all weekend long the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival will be bringing some of the best straight-ahead jazz musicians with roots on the East Coast: Benny Golson, Gary Bartz, Christian McBride and many 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, FEBRUARY 7

cb picks:

Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, Rockville Hilton, all evening
Ann Hampton Calloway, Kennedy Center, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m.
Jonathan Parker’s Under the Covers, The Dunes, 8 p.m.
Irene Jalenti, Twins Jazz, 8 & 10 p.m.
Jazz Jam, Ulah Bistro, 11 p.m.
Donvonte McCoy, 18th St. Lounge, 10:30 p.m.

Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, Rockville Hilton, all evening | The Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, a major ritual for some D.C.-area fans, packs three days full of straight-ahead jazz — it’s a celebration and a circling of the wagons, and a soaring good time. Among the highlights today are the vocalists Freddy Cole and Kristin Callahan. A full schedule is available at midatlanticjazzfestival.org/schedule. Ticket prices vary (general admission for the full weekend costs $205). View event on calendar | Festival website

Greg Lamont, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 6 p.m. | Greg Lamont is a jazz pianist and singer with an affinity for the Great American Songbook. Here he performs with his quartet. $5 cover for adults, no cover for attendees under 16, no minimum. View event on calendar | Westminster Presbyterian Church website

Charles Rahmat Woods Duo, Firelake Grill, 7 p.m. | The saxophonist Charles Woods plays in both free and straight-ahead jazz styles, but for his regular gig leading a low-key duo at Firelake Grill, he keeps things within the traditional, swinging realm. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Firelake Grill 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 (U St.), 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

Jacqui Simmons & Friends, Sala Thai (Petworth), 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

Marion Meadows, Blues Alley, 7 & 10 p.m. | The saxophonist Marion Meadows has made a major name for himself since he started his career by recording with legendary smooth jazz pianist Bob James. He’s never lost the smooth. Two separate sets at 7 & 10 p.m. $80 Valentine’s Day package includes dinner, non-alcoholic beverages and admission, plus $2.50 surcharge. View event on calendar | Blues Alley profile

Ann Hampton Calloway, Kennedy Center, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m. | Ann Hampton Calloway, a fulsome-voiced jazz singer and composer, turns her attention to the Great American Songbook for this Valentine’s Day performance. Two separate shows at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets $30. View event on calendar | Strathmore website

Irene Jalenti, Twins Jazz, 8 & 10 p.m. | The Italian vocalist Irene Jalenti sings in a tone that’s husky and hushed. Here she appears with an expert band of local musicians. Two separate sets at 8 and 10 p.m. $25 cover, $10 minimum View event on calendar | Twins Jazz profile

Jonathan Parker’s Under the Covers, The Dunes, 8 p.m. | Jonathan Parker is a strong local saxophonist with wide-scope vision as a composer and, apparently, big ambitions as a show presenter. He’s recently started a series of events called Under the Counter, combining live jazz with rock and stand-up comedy. This Valentine’s Day, things take a ribald turn in a show he’s calling Under the Covers. Parker — who bounces and bobs through his improvisations, always affable and sometimes witty —performs with his eight-piece band. They’re joined on the bill by four area comics and an indie band, PrestoBando. $10 cover, no minimum. View event on calendar | The Dunes website

Sharón Clark, Loews Madison Hotel, 8 p.m. | The vocalist Sharón Clark sings with fervor and soul, plus impressive precision. She’s one of D.C.’s top jazz singers. Here she appears with spare, piano-bass backing. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Loews website

Akua Allrich, Bohemian Caverns, 8 & 10:30 p.m. | This Valentine’s Day, try out some of that need-you, need-me, tell-me-not-to-worry, whisper-it-in-my-ear-and-then-scream-it-in-the-streets stuff. Akua Allrich is fit to deliver in the tradition of the greats, and with a grasping manner that’s hers alone. Nina Simone and Miriam Makeba are two strong influences that bubble up in Allrich’s Afrobeat- and jazz-infused music; the Howard University graduate, who composes many of her own tunes, is a searingly effervescent singer with a sort of earthbound optimism. She’s not telling you any lies, at least not without a wink. Two separate sets at 8 & 10:30 p.m. $70 ticket includes admission and three-course dinner; $30 admission-only ticket also available; no drink minimum. View event on calendar | Bohemian Caverns 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

AJ Parham, HR-57, 9 p.m. | AJ Parham is a smooth, deep-voiced vocalist who sings R&B with inflections of jazz. But on the bandstand at HR-57, where he’s long been a stalwart performer, Parham often tries his hand at jazz standards. Sold out. View event on calendar | HR-57 profile

Donvonte McCoy Quintet, 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. After all, the setting is that of a dance club, not a jazz joint – no tables and chairs or hushed applause after every solo. Cover varies ($5-10), no minimum. View event on calendar | 18th St. Lounge 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, FEBRUARY 15

cb picks:

Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, Rockville Hilton, all day
Donvonte McCoy, 18th St. Lounge, 10:30 p.m.

Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, Rockville Hilton, all day | The Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, a major ritual for some D.C.-area fans, packs three days full of straight-ahead jazz — it’s a celebration and a circling of the wagons, and a soaring good time. Among the highlights today are Bobby Watson and Christian McBride. A full schedule is available at midatlanticjazzfestival.org/schedule. Ticket prices vary (general admission for the full weekend costs $205). View event on calendar | Festival 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

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

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

Luke Brandon, Twins Jazz, 8 & 10 p.m. | The strong young trumpeter Luke Brandon performs regularly with the area’s two most reputed big bands: the Airmen of Note and the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra. Here he steps out at the fore of his own quintet, where the front line is rounded out by the saxophonist Elijah Jamal Balbed. Two separate sets at 8 and 10 p.m. $16 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar | Twins Jazz profile

Marion Meadows, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m. | The saxophonist Marion Meadows has made a major name for himself since he started his career by recording with legendary smooth jazz pianist Bob James. He’s never lost the smooth. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $30 cover, $12 minimum, $2.50 surcharge. View event on calendar | Blues Alley profile

Paige Wroble Martin, Loews Madison Hotel, 8 p.m. | Lead vocalist in the U.S. Air Force’s Airmen of Note big band, Paige Wroble Martin has a sharp and strong style, which she applies to a range of jazz standards. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Loews website

Cubano Groove, HR-57, 9 p.m. | No description available. $15 cover, no minimum. View event on calendar | HR-57 profile

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16

cb pick:

Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, Rockville Hilton, all day
Stephan Crump’s Rosetta Trio, Bohemian Caverns, 7 & 8:30 p.m.

Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, Rockville Hilton, all day | The Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, a major ritual for some D.C.-area fans, packs three days full of straight-ahead jazz — it’s a celebration and a circling of the wagons, and a soaring good time. Among the highlights today are the saxophonists Benny Golson and Paul Carr (who doubles as festival director). A full schedule is available at midatlanticjazzfestival.org/schedule. Ticket prices vary (general admission for the full weekend costs $205). View event on calendar | Festival website

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, 6:30 p.m. | The D.C. Jazz Jam presents a friendly, relaxed environment where professionals and amateurs can play together. 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

D.C. Jazz Loft, Union Arts, 7 p.m.View event on calendar | D.C. Jazz Loft page

Stephan Crump’s Rosetta Trio, Bohemian Caverns, 7 & 8:30 p.m. | Led by the bassist Stephan Crump (best known for his work with Vijay Iyer), the Rosetta Trio is a compact ensemble that blends acoustic and electric guitar sounds to stirring effect. Two separate sets at 7 & 8:30 p.m. $15 cover in advance, $20 at the door, no minimum. 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

BSQ, Twins Jazz, 8 & 10 p.m. | The Bob Schwartz Quartet plays easygoing, mid-century jazz. Two separate sets at 8 and 10 p.m. $10 cover, $10 minimum.. View event on calendar | Twins Jazz profile

David Ornette Cherry, Union Arts, 8 p.m. | The keyboardist and composer David Ornette Cherry, son of Ornette Coleman’s longtime trumpeter and conceptual sidekick Don Cherry, has seeped up lessons from those and other pioneers of the free jazz movement. Like his father, he draws influences from across the globe; his cacophony brims with African percussive sensibilities, Western classical sub-structures and the unpredictability of avant-garde improvisations. Here he appears with a band of fervid envelope-pushers based in D.C.: Penny Gamble-Williams on vocals and percussion, Jamal Moore on saxophone and percussion, Trae Cruddup on drums and Luke Stewart (who is also a CapitalBop editor) on bass. Tickets $10. View event on calendar | Union Arts 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