by Giovanni Russonello

Welcome to this week’s installation of “Weekend in Jazz,” a full list of every D.C. jazz show that we can get our hands on. If you’re just breezing through, check for the shows with a  label — those are our favorites. As always, you can read CapitalBop’s full listings directly at our monthly calendar, if you prefer. Happy hunting!

FRIDAY, NOV. 5

cb picks:

• Charlie Young Quartet, Westminster Presbyterian Church
• Anat Cohen, Kennedy Center
  
• Cindy Blackman, Blues Alley
  
• George Colligan Trio, Bohemian Caverns
• Donvonte McCoy, 18th St. Lounge

Charlie Young Quartet, 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 week’s installment features the Charlie Young Quartet, led by the fabulously inventive but under-appreciated saxophonist who doubles as a music teacher at Howard University. The group also includes Bob Butta on piano, James King on bass and Harold Summey 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 is joined by vibraphonist Pete Chauvette and bassist Hugh Johnson in her laid-back renditions 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 quartet that takes on modern and classic jazz tunes with a showmanly flair, as well as skill. Its features Steve Wolfe on tenor and soprano saxophones, Tala Faral on piano, Stan Hamrick on bass and Gary Taylor on drums and percussion. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Sala Thai website

Yamomanem Jazz Band, Sala Thai (Petworth), 7 p.m. | The Yamomanem Jazz Band plays a faithful take on New Orleans jazz, conjuring the days of King Oliver and early Louis Armstrong with its lush brass section. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Sala Thai website

Night & Day Combo, Hollywood East Café, 7 p.m. | The Night & Day Combo plays traditional, swing-oriented jazz, featuring Renée Tannenbaum on vocals, Mike Suser on piano and vocals, Dennis Johnson on saxophone and Steve Scott on bass. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Hollywood East Café website

Anat Cohen, Kennedy Center, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m. | On what would be swing legend Benny Goodman’s 100th birthday, Anat Cohen presents this tribute to him. The Israeli clarinetist a rising star whose international influences shine through even as she is guided by a deep knowledge and appreciation for theAmerican musical tradition. In this performance at the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater, she’s joined by an all-star cast that features pianist Mulgrew Miller, bassist Peter Washington and drummer Lewis Nash. Two separate shows at 7:30 & 9:30 p.m. $35 cover, no minimum. View event on calendar | KC Jazz Club profile

Al Jarreau and the Airmen of Note, Lisner Auditorium, 8 p.m. | In the conclusion of the 2010 Jazz Heritage Series, jazz and funk vocal legend Al Jarreau performs a free show with the Air Force’s world-class swing band, the Airmen of Note, at George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium. Jarreau has made headlines recently when a heart arrhythmia caused him to collapse onstage in France. But he seems to be fully recovered, and this show is an excellent way to catch the warm-voiced singer back in action. The Airmen of Note will probably keep Jarreau, who has a penchant for soft R&B, more or less on a straight jazz track. But you never know. No cover, no minimum. View event on calendar | Lisner Auditorium website

Cindy Blackman, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m. | There’s no doubt Cindy Blackman is unrelenting in her attacks on the drum set. But more importantly, her mind never lets up either — like her mentor Tony Williams, she is one of those drummers who’s as cerebral as she is powerful, always playing with her foot on the gas and her mind cast ahead. On her newest CD, “Another Lifetime,” she pays tribute to Williams’ work with his late-’60s and ’70s group Lifetime, and the music that results is shape-shifting, powerful jazz-rock. At Blues Alley this weekend, she celebrates the disc’s release with the Another Lifetime Quartet, which features D.C.’s own Marc Cary on keyboards, Aurelien Budynek on guitar and Felix Pastorius on bass.Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $20 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar | Blues Alley profile

George Colligan Trio, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m. | Pianist George Colligan has performed as a sideman for Jack DeJohnette, Don Byron and Cassandra Wilson, among other jazz greats. It’s about time he earn more recognition on his own. With a decidedly modern approach to the piano, Colligan draws on the influences of Keith Jarrett and Brad Mehldau, but reaches far beyond the bop and post-bop vocabulary as well. On his Facebook page, fore instance, he writes, “My music sounds like a combination of Talking Heads,Captain and Tennille,and a broken vacuum cleaner.” Agree with that categorization or not, Colligan is a true eclectic, and an undeniable rising star. Separate shows at 8 & 10 p.m. $15 cover in advance, $20 at the door, no minimum.View event on calendar| Bohemian Caverns 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. $15 cover, no minimum.  View event on calendar | HR-57 profile

Project Natale, Twins Jazz, 9 p.m. | Brothers Joe and Lou Natale — on bass and drums, respectively — play straight-ahead and Latin jazz with this quartet, which is rounded out by the strong tenor saxophonist Carl Cornwell and pianist Bob Butta. At Twins this weekend, Project Natale is playing at its CD release party, celebrating its fifth album. $15 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar| 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. View event on calendar | Columbia Station profile

Donvonte McCoy, 18th St. Lounge, 11 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. Cover varies ($5-10), no minimum. View event on calendar | 18th St. Lounge profile

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. View event on calendar | Utopia profile

SATURDAY, NOV. 6

cb picks:

• Eric Alexander & One for All, Kennedy Center
• Cindy Blackman, Blues Alley
• George Colligan Trio, Bohemian Caverns
• Thad Wilson Quartet, HR-57
• Donvonte McCoy, 18th St. Lounge
• Elijah Jamal Experience, Utopia

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

District Jazz Trio, Sala Thai (Bethesda), 7 p.m. | A self-described “cool swinging jazz trio,” the District Jazz Trio is saxophonist Seth Popkin, pianist Dan Nathan and bassist Roger Rosa. The group plays jazz standards. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Sala Thai 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 some serious bop. He performs straight-ahead with his trio here. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Sala Thai website

Full Ascent, Sala Thai (Petworth), 7 p.m. | This jazz band plays in a number of traditional styles, from hard-bop to Dixieland to calypso. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Sala Thai website

Eric Alexander & One for All, KC Jazz Club, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m. | Famed tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander leads the One for All Sextet at this Kennedy Center Jazz Club gig. JazzTimes has written that the band is “hardly just about soloing; the group’s amazing empathy and subtleness are its strongest trump cards.” One for All comprises Alexander, Jim Rotondi on trumpet, Steve Davis on trombone, David Hazeltine on piano, John Webber on bass and Joe Farnsworth on drums. Two separate sets at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. $26 cover, no minimum. View event on calendar | KC Jazz Club website

Cindy Blackman, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m. | There’s no doubt Cindy Blackman is unrelenting in her attacks on the drum set. But more importantly, her mind never lets up either — like her mentor Tony Williams, she is one of those drummers who’s as cerebral as she is powerful, always playing with her foot on the gas and her mind cast ahead. On her newest CD, “Another Lifetime,” she pays tribute to Williams’ work with his late-’60s and ’70s group Lifetime, and the music that results is shape-shifting, powerful jazz-rock. At Blues Alley this weekend, she celebrates the disc’s release with the Another Lifetime Quartet, which features D.C.’s own Marc Cary on keyboards, Aurelien Budynek on guitar and Felix Pastorius on bass.Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $20 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar | Blues Alley profile

John Eaton, Avalon Theater (Easton), 8 p.m. | Longtime jazz, blues and Broadway pianist John Eaton will perform a solo show drawing on showtunes and standards in this Easton, Md. performance. $25 cover, no minimum. View event on calendar | Avalon Theater website

George Colligan Trio, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m. | Pianist George Colligan has performed as a sideman for Jack DeJohnette, Don Byron and Cassandra Wilson, among other jazz greats. It’s about time he earn more recognition on his own. With a decidedly modern approach to the piano, Colligan draws on the influences of Keith Jarrett and Brad Mehldau, but reaches far beyond the bop and post-bop vocabulary as well. On his Facebook page, fore instance, he writes, “My music sounds like a combination of Talking Heads,Captain and Tennille,and a broken vacuum cleaner.” Agree with that categorization or not, Colligan is a true eclectic, and an undeniable rising star. Separate shows at 8 & 10 p.m. $15 cover in advance, $20 at the door, no minimum. View event on calendar| Bohemian Caverns profile

Thad Wilson Quartet, HR-57, 9 p.m. | Trumpeter Thad Wilson plays with articulation and clarity, and a deference to melody that makes it easy to fall in love with his playing. A prominent member of the D.C. jazz community, Wilson once led a resident big band at Bohemian Caverns and now teaches at George Washington University. He returns to HR-57, an old stomping ground of his, for a couple shows this month. $15 cover, no minimum. View event on calendar | HR-57 profile

Project Natale, Twins Jazz, 9 & 11 p.m. | Brothers Joe and Lou Natale — on bass and drums, respectively — play straight-ahead and Latin jazz with this quartet, which is rounded out by the strong tenor saxophonist Carl Cornwell and pianist Bob Butta. At Twins this weekend, Project Natale is playing at its CD release party, celebrating its fifth album. $15 cover, $10 minimum.  View event on calendar| Twins Jazz profile

Donvonte McCoy, 18th St. Lounge, 11 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. Cover varies ($5-10), no minimum. View event on calendar | 18th St. Lounge profile

Elijah Jamal Experience, Utopia, 11 p.m. | Young powerhouse tenor saxophonist Elijah Jamal Balbed heads up one of the swingin’est shows on U Street every Saturday night. The lineup of musicians on this late-night gig varies from week to week, but it’s consistently outstanding. Plus, with the Washington City Paper’s 2010 Best New D.C. Jazz Musician award under his belt, the 20-year-old Balbed can always be expected always to deliver the goods on sax. no cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Utopia profile

SUNDAY, NOV. 7

cb pick: Cindy Blackman, Blues Alley

Kevin Pace Trio, Chef Geoff’s, 11 a.m. | Kevin Pace has a strong command on the bass and an intuitive ear as a composer. He puts both on display at the restaurant Chef Geoff’s, where he performs every week during Sunday brunch. This is background music, but that’s because of the environment, not the performance — which is anything but second-rate. (To hear Pace stretch out a bit more, catch him at Utopia with the Bobby Muncy Quartet, every Wednesday except the third of the month.) No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Chef Geoff’s 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

Jazz Jam, Dahlak, 6 p.m. | This jazz jam presents a friendly, relaxed environment where professionals and amateurs can play together. This week’s edition features special guest Geoff Reecer, the guitarist in the U.S. Air Force’s swing ensemble the Airmen of Note. The rest of the house band is Dmitri Nassar on piano, Eliot Seppa on bass and Will Stephens on drums. No cover, no minimum. View event on calendar | 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. View event on calendar | HR-57 profile

Cindy Blackman, Blues Alley, 8 p.m. | There’s no doubt Cindy Blackman is unrelenting in her attacks on the drum set. But more importantly, her mind never lets up either — like her mentor Tony Williams, she is one of those drummers who’s as cerebral as she is powerful, always playing with her foot on the gas and her mind cast ahead. On her newest CD, “Another Lifetime,” she pays tribute to Williams’ work with his late-’60s and ’70s group Lifetime, and the music that results is shape-shifting, powerful jazz-rock. At Blues Alley this weekend, she celebrates the disc’s release with the Another Lifetime Quartet, which features D.C.’s own Marc Cary on keyboards, Aurelien Budynek on guitar and Felix Pastorius on bass.Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $20 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar | Blues Alley 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, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar| Columbia Station profile

Cheryl Jones Trio, Utopia, 9 p.m. | Singer Cheryl Jones has a weekly engagement every Sunday at Utopia, where she sings with depth, force and clarity. Jones is equally likely to sing jazz standards, pop tunes or gospel classics. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Utopia profile

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