by Giovanni Russonello
Editorial board

The focus is on the local heavy lifters this weekend, with two D.C.-based piano greats playing at the clubs on U Street: Allyn Johnson leads a band at Bohemian Caverns on Friday and Saturday night, and Federico Peña at Twins Jazz. Also, on Friday night you’ve got a chance to hear one of D.C.’s most soulful singers in a very welcoming environment, when Sharón Clark performs at Westminster Presbyterian Church. All our favorite shows have a label. Happy hunting!

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30

cb picks:

• Sharón Clark, Westminster Presbyterian, 6 p.m.
• Allyn Johnson Quartet, Twins Jazz, 8 & 10 p.m.
• Federico Peña, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m.
• Donvonte McCoy Quintet, 18th St. Lounge, 10:30 p.m.

Sharón Clark, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 6 p.m. | The vocalist Sharón Clark sings with fervor and soul, plus impressive precision. She’s one of D.C.’s top jazz singers. She performs at D.C.’s godliest house of jazz with the Chris Grasso on piano, Paul Carr on tenor saxophone, Tommy Cecil on bass and Lenny Robinson 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

Triple Double, 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 the piano is a percussion instrument as much as a melodic one, and you can really get hit by the landing. Allyn Johnson spent years mastering his instrument in churches and jazz bands around D.C., and has divined an approach to having it both ways. When he supports a band, the horn covers the airier territory, but Johnson’s high right hand tussles soulfully with it too. It’ll be a thrill to hear him in repartee with Tim Green, one of the most talked-about young alto saxophonists in jazz. The rest of the quartet comprises D.C.’s most storied active rhythm section: Nasar Abadey on drums and James King on bass. Two separate sets at 8 and 10 p.m. $15 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar | Twins Jazz profile

Freddy Cole, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m. | The guitarist and vocalist Chris Thomas King is out to revitalize the moldering world of blues music with infusions of hip-hop and other contemporary ideas. He draws on lessons learned in the hometown that he and the music share, New Orleans, and tours throughout the world. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $24 cover, $2.50 surcharge, $12 minimum. View event on calendar | Blues Alley profile

Federico Peña, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m. | The pianist Federico Peña was born in Uruguay, and honed his talents as a session player in Buenos Aires. Now a mainstay of the D.C. scene, he’s known for remarkable precision, wide vocabulary and fabulous dexterity. He has played with a slew of top names, from Roy Hargrove to Chaka Khan to Cassandra Wilson. These days, Peña performs regularly with area stalwarts like Marshall Keys and Tarus Mateen. This weekend, he leads his own combo. Two separate sets at 8:30 & 10:30. $18 cover online, $23 at the door, 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

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 31

cb picks:

• Allyn Johnson Quartet, Twins Jazz, 8 & 10 p.m.
• Federico Peña, 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.

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

Kirk Winters Trio, Sala Thai (Petworth), 7 p.m. | Guitarist Kirk Winters draws inspiration from bop guitar greats such as Jim Hall, Wes Montgomery and Grant Green. He performs here with a straight-ahead trio. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Sala Thai website

Jon Schneider, Victor Dvoskin and Richard Seals, Sala Thai (Bethesda), 7 p.m. | No description available. 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 the piano is a percussion instrument as much as a melodic one, and you can really get hit by the landing. Allyn Johnson spent years mastering his instrument in churches and jazz bands around D.C., and has divined an approach to having it both ways. When he supports a band, the horn covers the airier territory, but Johnson’s high right hand tussles soulfully with it too. It’ll be a thrill to hear him in repartee with Tim Green, one of the most talked-about young alto saxophonists in jazz. The rest of the quartet comprises D.C.’s most storied active rhythm section: Nasar Abadey on drums and James King on bass. Two separate sets at 8 and 10 p.m. $15 cover, $10 minimum.. View event on calendar | Twins Jazz profile

Chris Thomas King, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m. | The guitarist and vocalist Chris Thomas King is out to revitalize the moldering world of blues music with infusions of hip-hop and other contemporary ideas. He draws on lessons learned in the hometown that he and the music share, New Orleans, and tours throughout the world. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $24 cover, $2.50 surcharge, $12 minimum. View event on calendar | Blues Alley profile

Federico Peña, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m. | The pianist Federico Peña was born in Uruguay, and honed his talents as a session player in Buenos Aires. Now a mainstay of the D.C. scene, he’s known for remarkable precision, wide vocabulary and fabulous dexterity. He has played with a slew of top names, from Roy Hargrove to Chaka Khan to Cassandra Wilson. These days, Peña performs regularly with area stalwarts like Marshall Keys and Tarus Mateen. This weekend, he leads his own combo. Two separate sets at 8:30 & 10:30. $18 cover online, $23 at the door, 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

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

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, SEPTEMBER 1

cb picks:

• Bobby Muncy, Twins Jazz, 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. | Performer TBA. 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

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

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

Chris Thomas King, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m. | The guitarist and vocalist Chris Thomas King is out to revitalize the moldering world of blues music with infusions of hip-hop and other contemporary ideas. He draws on lessons learned in the hometown that he and the music share, New Orleans, and tours throughout the world. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $24 cover, $2.50 surcharge, $12 minimum. View event on calendar | Blues Alley profile

Bobby Muncy, Twins Jazz, 8 & 10 p.m. | The saxophonist Bobby Muncy writes snaky tunes influenced by 20th century classical and alternative rock, as well as jazz. He appears at Twins with a strong, straight-ahead quartet. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $10 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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