The Duke Ellington Jazz Festival, which starts today and runs until June 15th – it used to be in the fall – largely leans on New Orleans for it’s character this year with a few local musicians getting good exposure. The major muscle in town costs money – namely the gala events at the Kennedy Center and the French Embassy, but the free concerts on the mall and shows spread throughout the city should provide an equally good time. Some highlights:
Thursday, June 4th, 2009
Allyn Johnson with Jamal Brown and Herman Burney Jr. @ the Phillips Collection After Hours
The Young Lions, with Ted Baker @ Café Nema
The Young Lions have established themselves as an energetic young group on the local scene.
Friday, June 5th, 2009
Brian Settles Trio @ Proof
A creative force on the local scene, Brian Settles brings together a trio of talented local and New York based musicians for what should be a dynamic show.
Saturday, June 6th, 2009
Larry Willis @ the Madison Hotel - 07:00 PM, 09:30 PM
Nathan and Noble Jolley, Jr. @ Café Nema – 9:30 PM
Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra @ Museum of Natural History - 7:30 PM
The master orchestra will recreate Thelonious Monk’s historic 1959 Town Hall Concert, with its unique 10-piece arrangement.
Sunday, June 7th, 2009
Nasar Abadey and the Supernova Chamber Orchestra @ Atlas Performing Arts Center (Lang Theatre) - 05:00 PM, 07:00 PM
Nasar is a DC institution and a spiritual force in the music; always a great show.
Wednesday, June 10th, 2009
Dr. Michael White and the Original Liberty Jazz Band with special guest Paquito D’ Rivera @ the French Embassy - 8:00 PM
Thursday, June 11th, 2009
Gil Scott Heron @ Blues Alley
Appearing through the 14th the poet come jazz singer of “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” fame brings his clever, jabbing lyrics, fantastic voice and a penchant for old-timey storytelling with an indignant fire undiminished in 40 years of recording to DC’s “Blue Note”.
Michael Bowie and the E44 Band @ Busboys and Poets – 9:00 PM, 11:00 PM
Friday, June 12th, 2009
W.E.S. Group @ THEARC – 10:30 AM
A group of young, talented locals blend jazz and hip-hop.
Tribute to Louis Armstrong @ Bohemian Caverns – 8:30 PM, 10:30:00 PM
Thad Wilson leads a trio of accomplished trumpeters including Kenny Rittenhouse in a tribute to the great Louis Armstrong. Two sets Friday and Saturday.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Concert @ the National Mall – 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Suggested sets Rebirth Brass Band at 1:00 PM and Terence Blanchard Quintet at 6:25 PM.
Thad Wilson Jazz Orchestra @ The Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage - 6:00 PM
Michael Bowie, Herman Burney, Jr., and James King @ Busboys and Poets – 9:00 PM, 11:00 PM
Giants on the local bass scene, playing in the name of the late great Ketter Betts.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Concert @ the National Mall - 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Suggested sets Buckwheat Zydeco at 1:00 PM and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue at 3:30 PM; Irma Thomas & the Professionals at 6:25 PM should also be a good show.
Cheik Hamala Diabate @ Bossa – 9:00 PM
Monday, June 15th, 2009
Ellis Marsalis, Branford, Wynton, Delfeayo and Jason Marsalis, Harry Connick Jr., Dr. Billy Taylor, Herlin Riley and Eric Revis @ the Kennedy Center – 7:30PM
Fans of the Marsalis dynasty will not want to miss this set - a rare appearance by five family members.
Alternative Events
Saturday, June 6th and Sunday, June 7th will see the music festival integrating with the Dupont-Kalorama Museum Walk with a weekend worth of music and kid-oriented – not sure how to categorize the petting zoo - activities backed by some of DC’s quietly kept gems: pianist Janelle Gill, multi-reedist Brian Settles and the ever effusive Reginal Cyntje Trio.
God loves a cheerful giver.
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