by Giovanni Russonello
Editorial board

It’s a good weekend to go out and get a read on the state of jazz’s next generation. On Friday and Saturday, the 20-year-old drummer Aaron Seeber leads a redoubtable straight-ahead band, featuring internationally-traveled stars who are only a few years his senior. Then on Sunday, the cutting-edge fusioneers Coultrain and Diggs Duke will front a 10-piece band at the Dunes; the show is shaping up to be a clinic in kaleidoscopic groove, supple crooning, and stretched-out, languorous soloing — basically, jazz meets modern alternative R&B.

Also in town is the masterful hard-bop drummer Louis Hayes, leading his Jazz Communicators at Bohemian Caverns. And on Saturday night, an overflowing handful of musicians, in the jazz realm and others, perform at the Anacostia Art Gallery in a benefit for the Trayvon Martin family’s legal fund and for D.C. youth programs. All our favorite shows have a label. Happy hunting!

FRIDAY, AUGUST 16

cb picks:

• Aaron Seeber Quintet, Twins Jazz, 8 & 10 p.m.
• Louis Hayes Jazz Communicators, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m.
• Donvonte McCoy Quintet, 18th St. Lounge, 10:30 p.m.

Coniece Washington, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 6 p.m. | The soulful, straight-ahead vocalist Coniece Washington appears here in celebration of her newly released debut CD, “Love Changes.” She appears at this week’s “Jazz Night” at Westminster in front of a strong band: Vince Evans on piano, Elijah Jamal Balbed on saxophone, James King on bass and Jeffrey Neal on drums. $5 cover for adults, no cover for attendees under 16, no minimum.. View event on calendar | Westminster Presbyterian Church 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

L’Tanya Mari Trio, Sala Thai (Petworth), 7 p.m. | Singer L’Tanya Mari is influenced by Ella Fitzgerald, singing jazz with depth and soulful warmth. 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 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 lineup rotates. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Sala Thai website

Aaron Seeber Quintet, Twins Jazz, 8 & 10 p.m. | The drummer Aaron Seeber is just 20 years old, but close your eyes and you’ll have no idea. The lithe, swinging drummer is steeped in the lessons of post-boppers like Tony Williams and Eric Harland, and he’s fond of getting at those ideas through the straight-ahead tradition of D.C.’s indigenous jazz scene. This weekend, he leads a quintet of players from Baltimore and Washington, all of whom are nationally recognized as virtuosos: Warren Wolf on vibraphone, Tim Green on alto saxophone, Allyn Johnson on piano and Kris Funn on bass. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $17 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar | Twins Jazz profile

Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet w/Richie Cole, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m. | With four-part harmony as weapon of choice, the Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet gives the Great American Songbook a pert makeover. Richie Cole, their special guest for this weekend run, is a swinging alto saxophonist who has played with Manhattan Transfer, Buddy RIch and other notables. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $25 cover, $2.50 surcharge, $12 minimum. View event on calendar | Blues Alley profile

Louis Hayes Jazz Communicators, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m. | The drummer Louis Hayes launched his career in the 1950s with Yusef Lateef, and went on to play with luminous stars like Cannonball Adderley and Horace Silver. An energetic and unrelenting percussionist, Hayes can blow away listeners with a subtly explosive bass drum bombs, or the simple fervor of his swing. In this iteration of the Jazz Communicators, he’s joined by a quorum of thrilling, adventurous players: Abraham Burton on tenor saxophone, Larry Willis on piano and Steve Novosel on bass. $23 cover, no minimum. View event on calendar | Bohemian Caverns 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

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

Aaron Myers, Black Fox Lounge, 9:30 p.m. | Vocalist Aaron Myers leads a straight-ahead jazz quartet, featuring piano, bass and drums. 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

Todd Simon & Friends, 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. Utopia used to house the most reliable, convivial jam sessions on the block; to get a taste of that energy, you can now visit Ulah on any Friday night. This week, the slick and powerful pianist Todd Simon leads the jam – which is sure to be teeming with local talent just finished with the evening’s gigs. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Ulah Bistro website

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17

cb picks:

• Jazz Brunch: Donvonte McCoy, HR-57, 11:30 a.m.
• Aaron Seeber Quintet, Twins Jazz, 8 & 10 p.m.
• Louis Hayes Jazz Communicators, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m.
• Steve Synk Trio, Columbia Station, 9:30 p.m.
• Donvonte McCoy Quintet, 18th St. Lounge, 10:30 p.m.

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

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

Artistic Rebellion for Peace & Justice, Anacostia Art Gallery, 7 p.m. | Some of D.C.’s most notable jazz musicians are among the performers at this fundraiser for Trayvon Martin’s legal fund and certain programs for young people in D.C. The list of musicians at this show – titled “Artistic Rebellion for Peace and Justice” – includes the vocalist Akua Allrich, the trombonist Reginald Cyntje, the drummer Harold Summey and the bassist Luke Stewart (also a CapitalBop editor). Tickets $20. View event on calendar | Anacostia Art Gallery website

Aaron Seeber Quintet, Twins Jazz, 8 & 10 p.m. | The drummer Aaron Seeber is just 20 years old, but close your eyes and you’ll have no idea. The lithe, swinging drummer is steeped in the lessons of post-boppers like Tony Williams and Eric Harland, and he’s fond of getting at those ideas through the straight-ahead tradition of D.C.’s indigenous jazz scene. This weekend, he leads a quintet of players from Baltimore and Washington, all of whom are nationally recognized as virtuosos: Warren Wolf on vibraphone, Tim Green on alto saxophone, Allyn Johnson on piano and Kris Funn on bass. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $17 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar | Twins Jazz profile

Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet w/Richie Cole, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m. | With four-part harmony as weapon of choice, the Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet gives the Great American Songbook a pert makeover. Richie Cole, their special guest for this weekend run, is a swinging alto saxophonist who has played with Manhattan Transfer, Buddy RIch and other notables. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $25 cover, $2.50 surcharge, $12 minimum. View event on calendar | Blues Alley profile

Louis Hayes Jazz Communicators, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m. | The drummer Louis Hayes launched his career in the 1950s with Yusef Lateef, and went on to play with luminous stars like Cannonball Adderley and Horace Silver. An energetic and unrelenting percussionist, Hayes can blow away listeners with a subtly explosive bass drum bombs, or the simple fervor of his swing. In this iteration of the Jazz Communicators, he’s joined by a quorum of thrilling, adventurous players: Abraham Burton on tenor saxophone, Larry Willis on piano and Steve Novosel on bass. $23 cover, no minimum. View event on calendar | Bohemian Caverns profile

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

Saltman Knowles, HR-57, 9 p.m. | Saltman Knowles is a band that blends Latin, straight-ahead and soul-jazz influences. The core trio consists of joyous and smooth-voiced singer Lori Williams, pianist William Knowles and bassist Mark Saltman. But the group’s ancillary instrumentation — like its musical ambitions — is always changing: On the band’s latest CD, Saltman Knowles refashioned itself as an octet, complete with the steel pan sounds of Victor Provost. $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

Hot Club of DC, Black Fox Lounge, 9:30 p.m. | Hot Club of DC plays Gypsy jazz. 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

SUNDAY, AUGUST 18

cb picks:

• Jazz Brunch: Donvonte McCoy, HR-57, 11:30 a.m.
• Coultrain & Diggs Duke, The Dunes, 7 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 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

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

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

D.C. Jazz Jam, Dahlak, 6:30 p.m. | This 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

Coultrain & Diggs Duke, The Dunes, 7 p.m. | What would John Coltrane have to say about the new breed of tapestry-stretching instrumentalists and singers toying with hip-hop, post-neo-soul, and jazz? You can presume he’d see paths of opportunity running in plenty of directions. So, no matter how Coltrane might feel about a fellow progressive artist repurposing his own name, you get what the St. Louis-based singer and songwriter Coultrain is saying about the legacy and lineage of Black music in America. His latest album, the swirling and convicted Jumble Mumbo Jumbo, points to a promising road ahead. He appears here with the like-minded local singer Diggs Duke; they’ll be backed by a 10-piece band featuring horns and strings. A happy hour, with $2 off all drinks, runs until 8 p.m., when the music begins. $12 in advance, $15 at the door, no minimum. View event on calendar | Dunes 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

Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet w/Richie Cole, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m. | With four-part harmony as weapon of choice, the Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet gives the Great American Songbook a pert makeover. Richie Cole, their special guest for this weekend run, is a swinging alto saxophonist who has played with Manhattan Transfer, Buddy RIch and other notables. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $25 cover, $2.50 surcharge, $12 minimum. View event on calendar | Blues Alley profile

The Tuesday Project, Twins Jazz, 8 & 10 p.m. | The Tuesday Project is a band that formed at a local adult education masterclasses program. A septet, the band focuses on Afro-Latin and Brazilian styles. Two separate sets at 8 & 10. $18 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 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

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