by Giovanni Russonello
Welcome to “Weekend in Jazz,” where we bring you a list of every D.C. jazz show going on this weekend that we can get our eager, bloggerly hands on. If you missed it, check out last week’s inaugural edition for an explanation of this weekly feature. Or, since it’s all pretty self-explanatory, simply scroll down; read through to find a gig you’d like to attend; and click on the link provided to get the details on its location. And keep a look out for the emblem — that means a show is CapitalBop recommended. If you prefer to view the listings directly at CapitalBop’s calendar, click here.
Friday, Sep. 24
cb picks: Curtis Fuller, Bohemian Caverns; Donvonte McCoy, 18th St. Lounge
Jazz Night, 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 not-so-likely hub for fish frying, communing and jamming on straight-ahead jazz. This weekends lineup features Bill Heid on organ, the excellent saxophonist Lyle Link, Tony Martucci on drums, guitarist Geoff Reecer and Selena McDay on vocals. $5 cover for adults, no cover for attendees under 16, no minimum. Westminster Presbyterian Church website
“A Love Supreme” gathering, House of Umoja, 7:30 p.m. | The United Black Community presents a tribute to the late John Coltrane and the recently passed Abbey Lincoln, on the day after Trane’s 84th birthday. Brother Ah (a.k.a. Bob Northern) will lead the musical activities. His list of past collaborators might as well be a roll call sheet for all the important musicians in early free jazz and post-bebop thought: Sun Ra and his Arkestra, Eric Dolphy, Don Cherry and — most relevantly — John Coltrane, among many others. “A Love Supreme” will be held at the Umoja House, and will feature music as well as poetry and discussion. No cover, no minimum. House of Umoja website
Magos Herrera, KC Jazz Club, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m. | The Kennedy Center Jazz Club’s 2010-11 season kicks off with Mexico City native Magos Herrera, a vocalist who combines her Latin American musical roots with her affinity for classic jazz. The event is also part of the Kennedy Center’s “Celebrate Mexico 2010” program, commemorating 200 years of Mexican independence. Two separate sets at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. $25 cover, no minimum. KC Jazz Club Profile
Joe Sample, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m. | A founding member of soul-jazz giants the Jazz Crusaders, keyboardist Joe Sample has a soulful, rapturous approach to the piano. Through the years, he has put it to use playing jazz, blues, soul and other music. Two separate shows at 8 and 10 p.m. $43 cover, $10 minimum. Blues Alley profile
Antonio Parker Quartet, HR-57, 9 p.m. | Alto saxophonist Antonio Parker idolizes (and often eulogizes, with musical tributes) John Coltrane. But his aggressive alto tone and rhythmic inclinations are more contemporary, bringing neo-soul and R&B influences into his otherwise straight-ahead bebop. Parker’s style on the horn often nods toward another one of his personal favorites, the contemporary master Kenny Garrett. $12 cover, no minimum HR-57 profile
The Flail, Twins Jazz, 9 & 11 p.m. | The Flail is a multinational, New York-based quintet that hits hard. Its rhythms tend to bounce around like a super ball in a tin can — that is, relentlessly and aggressively. The group’s post-bop approach is tinged with rock-ish grooves here and there, but there’s plenty of jazz’s history in this music too, if you go looking for it. $15 cover, $10 minimum. Two separate sets at 9 and 11 p.m. 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. Columbia Station profile
Kevin Pace Quintet, W Hotel’s POV Lounge, 10 p.m. | A hard-swinging bop bassist, Kevin Pace leads his quintet every Friday night at this upscale hotel hangout. No cover, no minimum. POV Lounge website
Donvonte McCoy, 18th St. Lounge, 11 p.m.
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. Utopia profile
SATURDAY, SEP. 25
cb picks: 9th Annual D.C. Preservation Jazz Festival, Westminster Presbyterian Church; Butch Warren Experience, Columbia Station; Curtis Fuller, Bohemian Caverns; Donvonte McCoy, 18th St. Lounge; Elijah Jamal Experience, Utopia
9th Annual D.C. Preservation Jazz Festival, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 12 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. Columbia Station profile
Joe Sample, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m. | A founding member of soul-jazz giants the Jazz Crusaders, keyboardist Joe Sample has a soulful, rapturous approach to the piano. Through the years, he has put it to use playing jazz, blues, soul and other music. Two separate shows at 8 and 10 p.m. $43 cover, $10 minimum. Blues Alley profile
Ravish Momin’s Trio Tarana, Joe’s Movement Emporium, 8 p.m.
Butch Warren Experience, Columbia Station, 8:30 p.m.
Curtis Fuller, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m.
The Flail, Twins Jazz, 9 & 11 p.m. | The Flail is a multinational, New York-based quintet that hits hard. Its rhythms tend to bounce around like a super ball in a tin can — that is, relentlessly and aggressively. The group’s post-bop approach is tinged with rock-ish grooves here and there, but there’s plenty of jazz’s history in this music too, if you go looking for it. $15 cover, $10 minimum. Two separate sets at 9 and 11 p.m. Twins Jazz profile
AJ Parham, HR-57, 9 p.m. | AJ Parham is a smooth R&B singer who draws on classic soul and jazz sensibilities. He cites influences such as Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and George Benson. $12 cover, no minimum. HR-57 profile
Donvonte McCoy, 18th St. Lounge, 11 p.m.
Elijah Jamal Experience, Utopia, 11 p.m.
SUNDAY, SEP. 26
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. Columbia Station profile
Jazz Jam, Dahlak, 6 p.m. | This jazz jam presents a friendly, relaxed environment where professionals and amateurs can play together. No cover, no minimum. Dahlak profile
Jam Session, HR-57, 7 p.m. | This is a chance for local musicians to stretch out and see which of their new ideas stick when thrown against HR’s craggy brick walls. It’s also an inexpensive way for jazz fans to get a peek into the raw collaborations of D.C.’s rising stars. $8 cover for audience members, $4 cover for musicians, no minimum. HR-57 profile
Joe Sample, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m. | A founding member of soul-jazz giants the Jazz Crusaders, keyboardist Joe Sample has a soulful, rapturous approach to the piano. Through the years, he has put it to use playing jazz, blues, soul and other music. Two separate shows at 8 and 10 p.m. $43 cover, $10 minimum. Blues Alley profile
Julie Mack, Twins Jazz, 8 & 10 p.m. | Julie Mack is a jazz vocalist who sings standards as well as pop covers. Two separate sets at 8 and 10 p.m. $10 cover, $10 minimum. 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, one-drink minimum Columbia Station profile
Cheryl Jones, Utopia, 9 p.m. | Singer Cheryl Jones has a weekly engagement every Sunday at Utopia, where she draws on her broad base of musical passions. She is equally likely to sing jazz standards, pop tunes or gospel classics. No cover, 1-drink minimum.
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