Weekend in Jazz | 5.31-6.2: Horns and loops at Union Arts, jazz harp at Bohemian Caverns & more -

Syrinx Effect will offer an arresting admixture of acoustic and electric sounds on Friday night at Union Arts. Courtesy facebook.com/TheSyrinxEffect

by Giovanni Russonello
Editorial board

This weekend, some non-traditional jazz concepts are getting their due in the District, compliments of some extremely talented, up-and-coming female instrumentalists. Syrinx Effect, playing Friday night at Union Arts, is a duo that explores the interplay between classic jazz horn harmonies and effects and loop pedals. And Brandee Younger (whom I interviewed earlier this week) is at Bohemian Caverns with her singular approach to the jazz harp. At Twins Jazz, there’s a less stratospheric but equally worthy offering; the unimpeachable deacon of D.C. piano, Allyn Johnson, presides over a quartet there on Friday and Saturday night.

Also worth mentioning: A small battery of musicians and supporters are trying to convince Ulah Bistro to establish a regular Friday-night gig that could easily fill U Street’s need for a no-cover, late-night jazz hang. Wayne Wilentz’s trio is playing there on Friday in the second installment of a two-week trial run. Go check out the scene, lend your support, and we might end up with a great addition to the U Street scene. There’s info on all those shows and many more in this week’s edition of “Weekend in Jazz.” As always, you can find our full listings at CapitalBop’s D.C. jazz calendar. Our favorites have a label. Happy hunting!

FRIDAY, MAY 31

cb picks:

Jeff Antoniuk, Westminster Presbyterian, 6 p.m.
Syrinx Effect w/Sarah Hughes & Amy Bormet, Union Arts, 8 p.m.
Allyn Johnson Quartet, Twins Jazz, 8 & 10 p.m.
Brandee Younger, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m.
Donvonte McCoy, 18th Street Lounge, 10:30 p.m.

Jeff Antoniuk, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 6 p.m. | For this week’s Jazz Night at Westminster, the wide-toned tenor saxophonist Jeff Antoniuk takes on the music of two essential iconoclasts of jazz composition: Charles Mingus and Thelonious Monk. His band includes Wade Beach on piano, Tom Baldwin on bass, Tony Martucci on drums and Denyce Pearson on vocals. $5 cover for adults, no cover for attendees under 16, no minimum. View event on calendar | Westminster Presbyterian Church website

Veronneau, Vienna Town Green, 6:30 p.m. | The Virginia-based quartet Veronneau released an album last year paying tribute to “Jazz Samba,” Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd’s 50-year-old, pioneering bossa nova record. With a two-acoustic-guitar lineup and a strong siren out front in vocalist Lynn Véronneau, the band’s music hopscotches between Brazilian, gipsy jazz and Appalachian folk. Free. View event on calendar | Town Green 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

Triple Double Jazz Band, Sala Thai (Petworth), 7 p.m. | Consisting of Joey Whitney on tenor sax, Ed Gallagher on guitar, Alan Pachter on bass and Tom Reed on drums, the Triple Double Jazz Band plays straightforward, straight-ahead versions 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. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Sala Thai website

Allyn Johnson Quartet, Twins Jazz, 8 & 10 p.m. | When sound falls from a singer’s mouth, it’s a glide – you don’t hear it hit the ground. But with the piano, a percussion instrument as much as a melodic one, you can really feel the impact of a landing. Allyn Johnson spent years mastering his craft in churches and jazz bands, and has divined an approach for having it both ways; his pianism sails and shimmers with the implied strength of a choir, but it’s boldly rhythmic too. In his playing you’ll hear Oscar Peterson, and Robert Glasper. The director of the University of the District of Columbia’s jazz studies program, Johnson appears here at the helm of a quartet. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $17 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar | Twins Jazz profile

John Pizzarelli Quartet, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m. | Nostalgia is supposed to come with heartache and hurt, right? Not in John Pizzarelli’s musical universe, a cleanly defined realm where popular songs are wholesome and potable, and the jazz chops always serve an air of refinement. The son of Bucky Pizzarelli has developed an international reputation for his guitar work and crooning vocals; in both cases, panache is his stock in trade. He performs here with a quartet. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $40 cover, $2.50 surcharge, $12 minimum. View event on calendar | Blues Alley profile

Syrinx Effect w/Sarah Hughes & Amy Bormet, Union Arts, 8 p.m. | Syrinx Effect is a pair of musicians who play their horns in free-flowing improvisations, and mess them up with electronics and pedals. Naomi Siegel plays trombone, and Kate Olson soprano sax – but that’s hardly all. At this special off-season presentation from the Washington Women in Jazz Festival, they’re joined by a slightly less stratospheric duo of D.C.-based musicians: the alto saxophonist Sarah Hughes and the pianist Amy Bormet (also the festival director). It’s all taking place at Union Arts & Manufacturing, a recently opened, artist-run warehouse space. $10 cover. View event on calendar | Bohemian Caverns profile

Elin, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 8 p.m. | Born and raised in Sweden by Peruvian and Irish parents, Elin made the trans-oceanic trek to Brazil after growing fascinated by the country’s music. She has become a supremely talented and precise Brazilian vocalist, at once a wonderfully interpretive singer of lyrics and an expert improviser. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Mandarin Oriental website

Brandee Younger, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m. | With a hand that can draw lushness from punctuation, and rhythm from flow, Brandee Younger is moving the harp into a new generation. It’s been a while since the jazz world had a poster child for one of its more esoteric instruments, but Younger is a high-caliber musician who grew up listening to R&B, hip-hop and Western classical music, and now funnels all those influences into a rich habitat of jazz polyrhythm and harmony. She performs here with Chelsea Beratz on tenor saxophone, Dezron Douglas on bass and EJ Strickland on drums. Two separate sets at 8:30 & 10:30 p.m. $18 cover in advance, $23 at the door, no minimum. View event on calendar | Bohemian Caverns profile

Antonio Parker, 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

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

Alfredo Mojica, Bossa Bistro, 9 p.m. | Alfredo Mojica, who sang at Bossa for years with the group Sin Miedo, unites salsa, jazz and Latin American balladry. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Bossa profile

CaShandra J, Black Fox Lounge, 9:30 p.m. | CaShandra J sings jazz standards and originals with a combo. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Black Fox 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. 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

Wayne Wilentz Trio, Ulah Bistro, 11 p.m. | Since Utopia closed for renovations last year, the U Street jazz scene has been missing a reliable gathering place with free entry and serviceable jazz. This month, Ulah Bistro is dipping a toe in to see whether it might want to fill the role. It is having the Wayne Wilentz Trio — a pianist-led group that played each week at Utopia, exploring straight-ahead and Brazilian music — in a trial run. If the gigs go well, the management may decide to host live jazz every weekend from here forward. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Ulah Bistro website

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

cb picks:

Jazz ‘n Families Fun Day, Phillips Collection, 11 a.m.
Jazz Brunch: Donvonte McCoy, HR-57, 11:30 a.m.
Allyn Johnson Quartet, Twins Jazz, 8 & 10 p.m.
Brandee Younger, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m.
Steve Synk Trio, Columbia Station, 9:30 p.m.
Donvonte McCoy, 18th Street Lounge, 10:30 p.m.

Jazz ‘n Families Fun Day, Phillips Collection, 11 a.m. | Today and tomorrow, the usually quiet halls of the Phillips Collection welcome a total of 12 hours of jazz, plus a small children’s carnival scattered throughout the galleries. There will be an instrument petting zoo, storytelling, face-painting and portraits. And the bands are strong; today’s lineup includes the Herman Burney Trio at 1:30 p.m. and Donvonte McCoy’s quintet at 3 p.m. It’s all billed as the DC Jazz Festival’s annual “Jazz ‘n Families Fun Days;” these usually take place during the festival itself, but this year they precede the rest of the revelry by a few days. Free. View event on calendar | Phillips Collection website

Jazz Brunch: Donvonte McCoy, HR-57, 11:30 a.m. | HR-57 – a reliable destination for strong, swinging jazz – recently added weekend brunch shows to its itinerary. The musician leading the way, Donvonte McCoy, is one of the best in the city. He plays the trumpet with focus and power and a contemporary rhythmic swagger, never overstating his case but easily drawing a soulful essence from the horn. $15 cover, no minimum. View event on calendar | HR-57 profile

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

Charles Woods, Johnny’s Half Shell, 6 p.m. | Saxophonist Charles Woods plays and has recorded in both free and straight-ahead jazz styles, but for his regular gig at Johnny’s Half Shell he keeps things within the traditional bop realm. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Johnny’s Half Shell 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 (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

Allyn Johnson Quartet, Twins Jazz, 8 & 10 p.m. | When sound falls from a singer’s mouth, it’s a glide – you don’t hear it hit the ground. But with the piano, a percussion instrument as much as a melodic one, you can really feel impact of the landing. Allyn Johnson spent years mastering his craft in churches and jazz bands, and has divined an approach for having it both ways; his playing sails and shimmers with the implied strength of a choir, but it’s boldly rhythmic too. In his playing you’ll hear Oscar Peterson, and Robert Glasper. The director of the University of the District of Columbia’s jazz studies program, Johnson appears here at the helm of a quartet. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $17 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar | Twins Jazz profile

Julian Hipkins Quartet, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 8 p.m. | Julian Hipkins sings with a swinging flair and jaunty, deep voice that recalls Jimmy Rushing. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Mandarin Oriental website

Cubista, Bossa Bistro, 9 p.m. | Cubista is a salsa band that plays at Bossa every Saturday. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Bossa profile

Victor Haskins Quartet, HR-57, 9 p.m. | The rising young trumpeter Victor Haskins is currently attending Virginia Commonwealth University. He was also one of a handful of students participating in the prestigious Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead program at the Kennedy Center this year. Here he leads a band that includes Harry Appelman on piano, Matt Hall on bass and Tony Martucci on drums. $15 cover, no minimum. View event on calendar | HR-57 profile

Steve Synk Trio, Columbia Station, 9:30 p.m. | Lyrical bassist Steve Synk, a music major at the University of Maryland, leads a young trio that explores music ranging from standards to originals, groove-based contemporary jazz to swinging bop. No cover, one-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Columbia Station profile

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

cb picks:

Jazz Brunch: Donvonte McCoy, HR-57, 11:30 a.m.
Jazz ‘n Families Fun Day, Phillips Collection, 12 p.m.
Christie Dashiell, 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

TBA, Acadiana, 11 a.m. | Performer TBA. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Acadiana website

Jazz ‘n Families Fun Day, Phillips Collection, 12 p.m. | Today and yesterday, the usually quiet halls of the Phillips Collection welcome a total of 12 hours of jazz, plus a small children’s carnival scattered throughout the galleries. There will be an instrument petting zoo, storytelling, face-painting and portraits. And the bands are strong; today’s lineup includes Janelle Gill at noon and Sin Miedo at 4:30 p.m. It’s all billed as the DC Jazz Festival’s annual “Jazz ‘n Families Fun Days;” these usually take place during the festival itself, but this year they precede the rest of the revelry by a few days. Free. View event on calendar | Phillips Collection 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

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

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

Christie Dashiell, Bohemian Caverns, 7 & 9 p.m. | As a former member of Howard University’s Afro-Blue jazz choir and a star of NBC’s The Sing-Off, Christie Dashiell is one of D.C.’s most beloved young jazz personas. She has a rivetingly rich voice, with range and sensitivity and an effortless attention to detail. Whether singing over a re-harmonized Stevie Wonder tune, a jazz standard or an original, Dashiell almost always sounds like she’s smiling. Two separate sets at 7 & 9 p.m. $15 cover in advance, $20 at the door, no minimum. View event on calendar | Bethesda Blues & Jazz website

Nick Finzer Quintet, Twins Jazz, 8 & 10 p.m. | Nick Finzer is a young, New York City-based trombonist who was mentored by Steve Turre. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $10 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar | Twins Jazz profile

Jeff Weintraub w/the George Oakley Trio, Bistro Bohem, 8 p.m. | The vocalist Jeff Weintraub sings jazz standards. For this gig, his drums-free band includes George Oakley on reeds and flute, Scott Giambusso on bass, and Nick Lipkowski on guitar. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Bistro Bohem 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