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, DEC. 17

cb picks:

• Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Kennedy Center, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m.
• Tim Warfield, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m.
• Nasar Abadey, James King & Allyn Johnson, Twins Jazz, 9 p.m.
  
• Antonio Parker Quartet, HR-57, 9 p.m.
• Donvonte McCoy, 18th St. Lounge, 11 p.m.

Eric Byrd Trio & Brother Ray Band, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 6 p.m. | It’s one of Washington’s greatest weekly traditions: Westminster Presbyterian Church’s “Jazz Night.” And this week, as is often the case, an all-star band of local straight-ahead musicians is set to perform. Pianist Eric Byrd leads the so-called Brother Ray Band here in what’s sure to be a soul- and gospel-indebted jazz celebration. The rest of the band includes leading local saxophonists Paul Carr on tenor and Lyle Link on alto, as well as Chris Watling on baritone sax, Brad Clements on trumpet, David Cole on guitar, Bhagwan Khalsa on bass and Alphonso Young, Jr. on drums. $5 cover for adults, no cover for attendees under 16, no minimum. View event on calendar | Westminster Presbyterian Church website

Jolley Brothers, B. Smith’s, 7 p.m. | The Jolley Brothers, Noble on keyboard and Nate on drums, play thrice a weekend at B. Smith’s, the upscale soul-food restaurant in Union Station’s massive East Hall. The Jolleys, who perform with a bassist, comprise one of D.C.’s most exciting and auspicious acts. With roots in gospel, soul and the modal bop of the 1960s, the brothers (who also compose prolifically) bring some of the most creative elements in the African-American music canon forward into the 21st century, all while stamping it with their own distinctive flavoring. But B. Smith’s is a restaurant first, and the music remains in the background – no matter how expertly played. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | B. Smith’s 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 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, but it’s usually a very solid lineup. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Sala Thai website

L’Tanya Mari Trio, Sala Thai (Petworth), 7 p.m. | Singer L’Tanya Mari is influenced by Ella Fitzgerald, singing jazz with depth and soulful warmth. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Sala Thai website

Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Kennedy Center, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m. | The world-renowned Preservation Hall Jazz Band keeps the spirit of early-20th-century New Orleans jazz alive. That is, some of the earliest and most free-wheeling jazz ever made. This show is themed “Creole Christmas,” and the band will run through classic carols in the collective-improvisation style of early jazz and ragtime. Two separate sets at 7:30 & 9:30 p.m. $45 cover, no minimum. View event on calendar | Kennedy Center website

Carolyn Malachi, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m. | Vocalist Carolyn Malachi blends her soulful jazz singing with hip hop and spoken word. A fitting replacement for Gil Scott-Heron, whose slated shows here this weekend are cancelled. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $25 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar | Blues Alley profile

Tim Warfield, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m. | Tim Warfield wears colored suits with bold, dark pinstripes. He also happens to play a mean tenor saxophone, with just as much personality as his wardrobe. Warfield treasures standards but composes deftly modern bop. His gliding blues inflections are sometimes lazy, sometimes urgent, but always laden with a signature swagger. It’s a lot like the twinkle in your grandfather’s eye: benign, loving, but with a mysterious hint of something mischievous and knowing just beneath the surface. Warfield dropped out of Howard University to work as a full-time musician in D.C. and Baltimore before retrenching to his hometown of York, Pa., where he now lives. It will be good to have this contemporary superstar (he counts Terell Stafford, Cyrus Chestnut and Stefon Harris — and D.C. resident Tarus Mateen — as sidemen) back in our midst. He will perform a selection of Christmas tunes at the Caverns, with a combo that includes vocalist Joanna Pascale. Two separate sets at 8:30 & 10:30 p.m. $20 cover in advance, $25 at the door, no minimum. View event on calendar | Bohemian Caverns profile

Antonio Parker Quartet, HR-57, 9 p.m. | On the final weekend of jazz at HR-57’s current location, alto saxophonist and longtime household name at this club Antonio Parker sends the place off with his quartet. Parker’s playing refers to John Coltrane’s tenor technique, but his aggressive 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

Nasar Abadey, James King & Allyn Johnson, Twins Jazz, 9 p.m. | Talk about a D.C. jazz all-star group. Drummer Nasar Abadey leads the SUPERNOVA supergroup, and bassist James King and pianist Allyn Johnson are in it. Here it’s just the rhythm players; Johnson’s church-infused and Abadey’s thoughtful bop mingle over King’s strong foundation. Two separate sets at 9 & 11 p.m. $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, 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. 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, DEC. 18

cb picks:

• Tim Warfield, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m.
• Nasar Abadey, James King & Allyn Johnson, Twins Jazz, 9 p.m.
• Donvonte McCoy, 18th St. Lounge, 11 p.m.
• Elijah Jamal Experience, Utopia, 11 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

Jolley Brothers, B. Smith’s, 7 p.m. | The Jolley Brothers, Noble on keyboard and Nate on drums, play thrice a weekend at B. Smith’s, the upscale soul-food restaurant in Union Station’s massive East Hall. The Jolleys, who perform with a bassist, comprise one of D.C.’s most exciting and auspicious acts. With roots in gospel, soul and the modal bop of the 1960s, the brothers (who also compose prolifically) bring some of the most creative elements in the African-American music canon forward into the 21st century, all while stamping it with their own distinctive flavoring. But B. Smith’s is a restaurant first, and the music remains in the background – no matter how expertly played. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | B. Smith’s 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

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

Lena Seikaly & Potomac Jazz Project, 7 p.m., Extra Virgin Restaurant | Vocalist Lena Seikaly sings jazz standards with a confident and playful demeanor, displaying a haziness reminiscent of Esperanza Spalding as well as a deference to traditional greats. 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 | Extra Virgin’s website

Carolyn Malachi, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m. | Vocalist Carolyn Malachi blends her soulful jazz singing with hip hop and spoken word. A fitting replacement for Gil Scott-Heron, whose slated shows here this weekend are cancelled. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $25 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar | Blues Alley profile

Mark Deffenbaugh, Columbia Station, 8:30 p.m. | Pianist Mark Deffenbaugh plays smooth and funky jazz with a small group. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Columbia Station profile

Tim Warfield, Bohemian Caverns, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m. | Tim Warfield wears colored suits with bold, dark pinstripes. He also happens to play a mean tenor saxophone, with just as much personality as his wardrobe. Warfield treasures standards but composes deftly modern bop. His gliding blues inflections are sometimes lazy, sometimes urgent, but always laden with a signature swagger. It’s a lot like the twinkle in your grandfather’s eye: benign, loving, but with a mysterious hint of something mischievous and knowing just beneath the surface. Warfield dropped out of Howard University to work as a full-time musician in D.C. and Baltimore before retrenching to his hometown of York, Pa., where he now lives. It will be good to have this contemporary superstar (he counts Terell Stafford, Cyrus Chestnut and Stefon Harris — and D.C. resident Tarus Mateen — as sidemen) back in our midst. He will perform a selection of Christmas tunes at the Caverns, with a combo that includes vocalist Joanna Pascale. Two separate sets at 8:30 & 10:30 p.m. $20 cover in advance, $25 at the door, no minimum. View event on calendar | Bohemian Caverns profile

Ajay Parham, HR-57, 9 p.m. | Ajay Parham is a smooth-voiced vocalist who sings R&B with a deep inflection of jazz. He’s long been an HR-57 stalwart, so it’s fitting that he’ll do the honors on this night — the final evening of at HR-57’s current location before the club is moving to H Street. Michael J. West of the City Paper is right to call Parham’s music “sorta-jazz-I-suppose,” but the singer plans to lead a jam session toward the end of the night, so those hungering for straight-ahead can expect to hear some more bop-oriented interplay for the final farewell to 1610 14th Street. Which is how it should be. Parham’s band includes Kenny Peagler on piano, Phil Doroh on bass and Will Stephens on drums. $15 cover, no minimum. View event on calendar | HR-57 profile

Nasar Abadey, James King & Allyn Johnson, Twins Jazz, 9 p.m. | Talk about a D.C. jazz all-star group. Drummer Nasar Abadey leads the SUPERNOVA supergroup, and bassist James King and pianist Allyn Johnson are in it. Here it’s just the rhythm players; Johnson’s church-infused and Abadey’s thoughtful bop mingle over King’s strong foundation. Two separate sets at 9 & 11 p.m. $15 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar | Twins Jazz 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. Cover varies ($5-10), no minimum. Vie?w 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. This week he’s joined by Alex Brown on piano, Zach Brown on bass and, on drums, hometown hero Quincy Philips of the Young Lions (who will just have finished up a gig at Bohemian Caverns with the Lions). No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | Utopia profile

SUNDAY, DEC. 19

cb picks:

• Jolley Brothers, B. Smith’s, 12 p.m.
• Braxton Cook, Twins Jazz, 8 p.m.

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

Jolley Brothers, B. Smith’s, 12 p.m. | The Jolley Brothers, Noble on keyboard and Nate on drums, play thrice a weekend at B. Smith’s, the upscale soul-food restaurant in Union Station’s massive East Hall. The Jolleys, who perform with a bassist, comprise one of D.C.’s most exciting and auspicious acts. With roots in gospel, soul and the modal bop of the 1960s, the brothers (who also compose prolifically) bring some of the most creative elements in the African-American music canon forward into the 21st century, all while stamping it with their own distinctive flavoring. B. Smith’s is a restaurant first, and the music remains in the background – no matter how expertly played. But as far as jazz brunch goes, it’s hard to top the Jolleys’ music. No cover, 1-drink minimum. View event on calendar | B. Smith’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, 6:30 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

Carolyn Malachi, Blues Alley, 8 & 10 p.m. | Vocalist Carolyn Malachi blends her soulful jazz singing with hip hop and spoken word. A fitting replacement for Gil Scott-Heron, whose slated shows here this weekend are cancelled. Two separate sets at 8 & 10 p.m. $25 cover, $10 minimum. View event on calendar | Blues Alley profile

Braxton Cook, Twins Jazz, 8 p.m. | Young alto saxophonist Braxton Cook, with a jaunty but strong and swingin’ soloing style, is beginning to make a name for himself on the D.C. scene. He’ll play straight-ahead here with a quartet featuring Amy Bormet on piano, Eliot Seppa on bass and Terrence Arnett on drums. $10 cover, $10 minimum. $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 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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