All That Jazz, Georgetown: December
By • November 29, 2024 0 245
By Mark Edelman
December 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.
JOHN PIZZARELLI TRIO December 6 to 8 Blues Alley
“Tis the season” is the handle on this warm, swingin’ cup of Christmas cheer. Indisputably Jazz royalty—his dad guitarist Bucky and vocalist wife Jessica Molaskey are both blue bloods—John Pizzarelli sings and plays in that New York City club style that Michael Feinstein and Kurt Elling are keeping alive along with him. In the crowded clowder of holiday jazz shows (see below), Pizzarelli is probably the coolest cat in town. Tickets at www.bluesalley.com.
DECEMBER AT THE CLUBS
Tony Addison’s tribute to bandleader Art Blakey kicks off the month on Dec. 3 at Blues Alley in Georgetown, followed by Nicole Henry’s return for a holiday show of her “Favorite Things” on Thursday, the 5th. After the aforementioned Pizzarelli dates, jazz vocalist Lena Seikaly presents her “Ode to Christmas” for two shows on Dec. 10. Vibraphonist Chuck Redd and his pianist brother Robert continue a 30-year tradition at Blues Alley with two shows on Monday, Dec. 16. Jane Monheit rules the roost for four holidays shows Dec. 19 and 20 and legendary pianist Monty Alexander takes up residency in Georgetown to roll in the New Year, Dec. 26 to 31. More great shows at www.bluesalley.com.
Mr Henry’s (just down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol) inaugurates December with Herb Scott fronting a combo on Friday, Dec. 6; Scott runs the club’s popular Wednesday night jam sessions. Fran Vielma’s Pan-American orchestra takes the stage on Dec. 13, followed by vocalist Renee Georges and her GEORJazz ensemble with special guest saxman Langston Hughes II on the 14th. Trumpeter Kevin Cordt is back on Dec. 20, and Brazilian trio Sinergia winds up the month on Dec. 27 with their lilting samba sounds. All of that plus the aforementioned Wednesday jams can be found at www.mrhenrysdc.com
Over in Northern Virginia, the Loft at Lena’s hosts jazz duets Tuesday-Thursday nights, while, down the street on Duke, Laporta offers up nightly jazz plus brunch on Sundays. On the bandstand at Jojo’s, you’ll find keyboardist Colin Chambers fronting a combo on Friday nights and guitarist Sol Roots taking the stage on Sundays. And the cozy Tabard Inn welcomes a revolving roster of D.C. jazz talents every Sunday and Monday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Check out vocalist Tina Hashemi with guitarist Steve Heberman on Dec. 16 and bassist Victor Dvoskin and pianist Fred Hughes on the 22nd. December info at ww.tabardinn.com.
IN CONCERT
Acapella kings Take 6 play the Center for the Arts on the George Mason campus in Fairfax on Dec. 1, followed by blues, jazz and klezmer champs the Squirrel Nut Zippers on the 7th. The world-famous Blind Boys of Alabama hold court at the Barns at Wolf Trap Dec. 5. And it’s a”Jazzy Christmas” on Dec. 21, when saxophonist Lil’ Maceo and company celebrate the season at the Alden Theatre, part of the McLean Community Center.
NPR’s “Jazz Piano Christmas” pounds the eighty-eights at the Kennedy Center Dec, 7, when Grammy Award winner Kris Davis leads a threesome of talented keyboard artists. And you can usher in the New Year at the KenCen with world-renowned jazz vocalist Kurt Elling, guitarist Charlie Hunter and drummer Nate Smith on (what else) Dec. 31. Read all about it at www.kennedy-center.org.
On Dec. 4, the Strathmore hosts “A Swingin’ Little Christmas,” starring Emmy and Golden Globe winner Jane Lynch (“Glee,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) and Kate Flannery of “The Office.” The fall-out-of-your chair- funny cabaret, straight out of those classic 1950s and ’60s TV holiday specials, features Tim Davis and the Tony Guerrero band. The next night (Dec. 5), Grammy Award winning saxophonist Dave Koz plays the Strath, joined by “Friends” Jonathan Butler and Adam Hawley on guitars, reedman Vincent Ingala and vocalist Rebecca Jade. Tickets at www.strathmore.org.
The Birchmere welcomes trumpet player extraordinaire Chris Botti on Dec. 6 and 7. The Capitol Bones All Brass Big Band promises Christmas charts from the Kenton and Ellington books on Monday the 16th, followed by bluesman Tab Benoit with Jesse Dayton on the 17th. Jazz fusion masters, Pieces of a Dream, play the Alexandria venue on Dec. 21 to round out the festive fun. All the info at www.birchmere.com.
Mark Edelman has been a member of the Jazz Journalists Association 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.
