by Giovanni Russonello
Editorial board

This weekend, the young, bracing trumpeter DeAndre Shaifer plays at Bohemian Caverns, and Cameroonian singer Armand Ntep brings his buoyant band to Twins Jazz. At Blues Alley, the great singer and piano player Freddy Cole – who takes after his late older brother, Nat “King” Cole –Find details on those performances and many more in this week’s edition of “Weekend in Jazz,” a listing of every D.C. jazz show on our radar. Our favorites have a label, and as always, you can read CapitalBop’s full listings directly at our D.C. jazz calendar, if you’d rather. Happy hunting!

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3

cb picks:

• Freddy Cole, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m.
• DeAndre Shaifer, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m.
• Armand Ntep, Twins Jazz, 9 p.m.
• Donvonte McCoy, 18th Street Lounge, 10:30 p.m.

Chris Vadala, Jazz in the Garden, 5 p.m. | Saxophonist and clarinetist Chris Vadala has a history of playing bop, Latin and fusion, as well as classical. He developed some renown while playing with Chuck Mangione in the 1970s, and is now the director of the University of Maryland Jazz Studies program. Free. View event on calendar | Jazz in the Garden website

Wayne Wilentz, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 6 p.m. | Pianist Wayne Wilentz is well-versed in R&B and Latin jazz as well as bop, and it shines through in his playing. Until earlier this year, he performed weekly at Utopia, but the popular U St. restaurant closed for renovation in the spring. Here he reunites with some of his frequent collaborators on the Utopia gig: Lyle Link on saxophone, David Jernigan on bass, Jim West on drums and Cheryl Jones on vocals. Few venues in D.C. are equipped to match the laid-back, convivial vibe of Utopia as well as Westminster is — albeit in a very different way. $5 cover for adults, no cover for attendees under 16, no minimum. View event on calendar | Westminster Presbyterian Church website

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

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

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

Night & Day Trio, 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

Freddy Cole, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m. | Singer and pianist Freddy Cole shows plenty of similarities to his brother – the world-famous singer and pianist Nat King Cole – but his croonerism is laden with a gravellier, bluesier texture. While his older brother was a star in the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s, Freddy Cole enjoyed only middling succes. But since the 1970s, he has recorded a slew of well-received albums. His inflection and pop-jazz approach will remind you of the King, sure, but as he insists in one of his tunes, “I’m Not My Brother, I’m Me.” Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $25 cover, $12 minimum. View event on calendar | Blues Alley profile

Sara Jones Quartet, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 8 p.m. | Vocalist Sara Jones sings jazz standards sweetly; her top-notch band here includes Chris Grasso on piano, Tommy Cecil on bass and Andrew Hare on drums. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Mandarin Oriental Hotel website

DeAndre Shaifer, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m. | DeAndre Shaifer is a lithe, ecstatically swinging trumpet player living in D.C. His talent is obvious on his main instrument, but if you hang out before or after a gig, and happen to catch him messing around on the piano, you’ll recognize the full weight of his polymathic virtuosity. Shaifer’s not seen on the District’s scene as often as he ought to be, so this show, with him leading a combo, is a rare delight. Two separate sets at 8:30 & 10:30. $18 cover, no 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

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

Armand Ntep, Twins Jazz, 9 & 11 p.m. | Paul Cameroonian singer Armand Ntep composes and performs lyrical, pendulously grooving music with his band. It melds the buoyant lihongo musical tradition with jazz, salsa and other Diasporic musical movements. Two separate sets at 9 & 11 p.m. $15 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar | Twins Jazz profile

Antonio Parker, HR-57, 9 p.m. | Alto saxophonist Antonio Parker’s playing is swingin’ and soulful, with 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 to Kenny Garrett’s. $15 cover, no minimum. View event on calendar | HR-57 website

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

SATURDAY, AUGUST 4

cb picks:

• Freddy Cole, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m.
• DeAndre Shaifer, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m.
• Steve Synk Trio, Columbia Station, 8:30 p.m.
• Armand Ntep, Twins Jazz, 9 & 11 p.m.
• Donvonte McCoy, 18th Street Lounge, 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

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

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

Freddy Cole, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m. | Singer and pianist Freddy Cole shows plenty of similarities to his brother – the world-famous singer and pianist Nat King Cole – but his croonerism is laden with a gravellier, bluesier texture. While his older brother was a star in the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s, Freddy Cole enjoyed only middling succes. But since the 1970s, he has recorded a slew of well-received albums. His inflection and pop-jazz approach will remind you of the King, sure, but as he insists in one of his tunes, “I’m Not My Brother, I’m Me.” Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $25 cover, $12 minimum. View event on calendar | Blues Alley profile

Bonnie Harris Quartet, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 8 p.m. | Straight-ahead jazz vocalist Bonnie Harris leads a very talented quartet. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Mandarin Oriental Hotel website

David Schulman, Black Fox Lounge, 8 p.m. | Violinist and effects pedal whiz David Schulman performs his avant-leaning jazz here with a conga player. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Black Fox profile

Lydia Lewis, Tasting Room, 8:30 p.m. | Tasteful drummer and composer Lydia Lewis leads her trio in background fare at the Tasting Room, a wine bar in Friendship Heights. She’s consistently joined by expert side musicians. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Tasting Room profile

Steve Synk Trio, Columbia Station, 8:30 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

DeAndre Shaifer, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m. | DeAndre Shaifer is a lithe, ecstatically swinging trumpet player living in D.C. His talent is obvious on his main instrument, but if you hang out before or after a gig, and happen to catch him messing around on the piano, you’ll recognize the full weight of his polymathic virtuosity. Shaifer’s not seen on the District’s scene as often as he ought to be, so this show, with him leading a combo, is a rare delight. Two separate sets at 8:30 & 10:30. $18 cover, no minimum. View event on calendar | Bohemian Caverns profile

Armand Ntep, Twins Jazz, 9 & 11 p.m. | Cameroonian singer Armand Ntep composes and performs lyrical, pendulously grooving music with his band. It melds the buoyant lihongo musical tradition with jazz, salsa and other Diasporic musical movements. Two separate sets at 9 & 11 p.m. $15 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar | Twins Jazz 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 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

Jeron White, Black Fox Lounge, 9 p.m. | Bassist Jeron White leads a straight-ahead jazz 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

SUNDAY, AUGUST 5

cb picks:

• Freddy Cole, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 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. | No information available. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Acadiana 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

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 p.m. | This jazz jam presents a friendly, relaxed environment where professionals and amateurs can play together. 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

DC Choro, Grill from Ipanema, 7:30 p.m.| DC Choro is a sextet that plays Brazilian music drawing on European folk traditions. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Grill from Ipanema 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

SwagFunk, Twins Jazz, 9 & 11 p.m. | SwagFunk plays a blend of ’70s funk and traditional rock ‘n’ roll. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $10 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar | Twins Jazz profile

Freddy Cole, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m. | Singer and pianist Freddy Cole shows plenty of similarities to his brother – the world-famous singer and pianist Nat King Cole – but his croonerism is laden with a gravellier, bluesier texture. While his older brother was a star in the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s, Freddy Cole enjoyed only middling succes. But since the 1970s, he has recorded a slew of well-received albums. His inflection and pop-jazz approach will remind you of the King, sure, but as he insists in one of his tunes, “I’m Not My Brother, I’m Me.” Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $25 cover, $12 minimum. View event on calendar | Blues Alley profile

Herb Scott, Black Fox Lounge, 9 p.m. | Herb Scott, a young, soulful powerhouse of an alto saxophonist, performs here in a laid-back, intimate duo. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Black Fox profile

Peter Edelman Trio, Columbia Station, 9 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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