All That Jazz, Georgetown: November
By • October 23, 2024 0 301
By Mark Edelman
November keeps the music warm and inviting in clubs and concert venues in and around Washington, D.C. Check out these night spots as we swing our way into the holiday season.
DORADO SCHMITT & SONS Nov. 10 Strathmore Music Center
Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli shook the cob webs off the Parisian music scene with their Hot Club of France quintet, founded 90 years ago in 1934. That “gypsy jazz” sound returns to the Washington area, when Dorado Schmitt and sons Samson and Amati, bring their swinging, happy sounds to the Strathmore, Nov. 10. Schmitt, celebrated guitarist and violinist, has dedicated his career to preserving Jazz Manouche, as his family evokes the romantic ambiance of Parisian cafés, delivering infectious rhythms and heartfelt songs that celebrate their rich musical heritage of Jazz Manouche. I guarantee a smile on your face as the Schmitts pere et fils bring their passion to this timeless art form. Tickets at strathmore.org.
NOVEMBER AT THE CLUBS
Mr Henry’s has a jam-packed November over there on Pennsylvania Ave in Capitol Hill. Trumpeter Kevin Cordt leads a quartet on Friday, Nov. 15 with jazz vocalist Lanah Koelle following up a week late on Nov. 22. Fresh from her stint as Billie Holliday in “Lady Day at Emersons’ Bar and Grill” at the Atlas, Roz White celebrates the career of her mentor Julia Nixon on Nov. 29. And bringing the month to a close, Howard Blu brings a rare instrument to the jazz stage – the diatonic, 10-hole harmonica he has been blowing for about sixty years. The blues vocalist is joined by Thomas Kitchen, a.k.a. Tommy Tritone on guitar, bassist Phil Ravita and drummer John Stonesifer for Blazz — the intersection between blues and jazz. All of that plus Mr. H’s long running Jazz Jam every Wednesday at 8pm.More info at www.mrhenrysdc.com
Jojo’s on U Street keeps the room humming with keyboardist Colin Chambers and Friends every Friday and guitarist Sol Roots on Sunday. The Tabard Inn near Dupont Circle continues its Sundays and Monday evening jazz schedule with guitarist Steve Heberman accompanying vocalist Lena Seikaly on the 4th and guitarist Donato Soviero joining Tabard stalwart Victor Dvoskin on bass on Veterans Day. Find the rest of November’s gigs at www.tabardinn.com.
Blues Alley in Georgetown welcomes its usual nightly slate of local and national jazz talent. November highlights include record release parties for keyboardist Pat Bianchi on the 6th and drummer Brandon Sangers on the 7th. Joshua Redman welcomes special guest vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa on Nov. 9 and 10. The Bill Frisell Trio makes a stop to round out the month on the 21st and 22nd. Check out the rest of their calendar at www.bluesalley.com.
IN CONCERT
Kennedy Center’s Millenium Stage welcomes Yogav Shetrit in a free concert fusing North African, Andalusian and Moroccan music with contemporary jazz. Sign up for tickets at www.kennedy-center.org. The Strathmore welcomes the aforementioned Dorato Schmitt and Sons on the 10th. On the bandstand this month at the Birchmere in Alexandria you’ll find jazz the way they played it in the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s thanks to the Hot Sardines on the 7th. And come back for pianist extraordinaire Keiko Matsui on Nov. 17. Rounding out the month, don’t miss Grammy Award winning pianist Robert Glasper jamming with some special guests at the Howard Theatre Nov. 24.
The writer has been a member of the Jazz Journalists Assocation since 2010. Before moving to the Washington area, he was publisher of Jam Magazine and executive produced “12th Street Jump,” public radio’s weekly jazz, blues and comedy jam.
