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Witty Banter is One for the Books
Recent Articles March 21st. A day that I will always think of amazing album releases. DC-based musician, producer, and singer-songwriter, Rachel Levitin, released Witty Banter
March 23, 2024
by Michael J. West
Monday, September 23
If there’s one thing that Baltimore jazz has a lot of, it’s jam sessions. Some, of course, are better than others, and everyone has their favorites. But from this writer’s experience, there is a loose consensus about the best of these options: the Monday night session (called “The Session”) at Terra Café in Barclay. Hosted by the fantastic trumpeter and saxophonist Clarence Ward III, it’s a favorite hang partly because of Ward’s splendid playing. He also tends to have an action-packed house band accompanying him: pianist Darius Scott, bassist Mike Graham, and drummer Nick Costa. It’s also a very simple vibe: a comfortable hang in a neighborhood restaurant and bar with killer food (try the Ham Sammy panini!) and fine music with some of the area’s best musicians passing through and taking the time to keep their chops up. Whether you’re a musician or just a music lover, it’s got the goods. The Session begins at 8:30 p.m. at Terra Café, 101 East 25th Street in Baltimore. Free (with a one-drink minimum)
Friday, September 27
James Carter is the greatest multi-reedest in jazz since the passing of Rahsaan Roland Kirk. This writer hears him as the reigning king of the baritone sax, but he also plays tenor, alto, and soprano saxes; flute; and bass clarinet – sometimes all in one concert. As you might guess, he plays as many jazz styles and contexts as he does instruments, perhaps the reason why the late, great trumpeter Lester Bowie called him “the tenor player of the future.” And he was only talking about the one instrument! One of Carter’s longest-lived and most recognizable contexts, however, is his organ trio (featuring organist Gerard Gibbs and drummer Alexander White)…though that is a pretty restless ensemble as well. Yes, it has the soulful groove you know the organ for, and Carter plays with the kind of saltiness associated with soul-jazz master Stanley Turrentine. But, as an example, their latest album (and Blue Note debut) Live from Newport Jazz is a collection of tunes associated with Belgian gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt. Where will James Carter turn next? I know a way to find out. The James Carter Organ Trio performs at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. at Keystone Korner, 1350 Lancaster Street. $20-$35
Saturday, September 28
Diminutive in stature, Herb Scott’s alto playing is not remotely diminutive. He’s accomplished that rare feat of not sounding like any of the triple pillars of (post-)modern jazz alto saxophone: Charlie Parker, Cannonball Adderley, or Kenny Garrett. Of course, he’s assimilated all three, as any altoist has; Scott has also digested quite a bit of soul music and R&B, and all of it is churned together into a unique, keenly intelligent sound. A player like that naturally needs to have one of the highest-level bands in the world behind him. Scott is game for playing with anyone (he leads a jam session in D.C. every Wednesday night), but when he gigs he does not disappoint. Here we have pianist Allyn Johnson, bassist Blake Meister, and drummer Quincy Phillips rounding out the ranks for one hot night at one of Baltimore’s most beloved jazz venues. The Herb Scott Quartet performs at 6 p.m. at Caton Castle, 20 South Caton Avenue. $20-$25
Sunday, September 29
The appearance of Radiohead songs in the jazz world seems to be a lasting trend. Pianist Brad Mehldau was probably the man to popularize it with his 2002 recordings (separately) of “Paranoid Android” and “Everything in its Right Place,” and from there the dabbling commenced outward. The Radiohead Jazz Project is one such outgrowth; It’s been headlining venues hither and thither since 2007 (inspired by Radiohead’s In Rainbows album from that year). It’s a fascinating study in texture and revelations about the richness of Radiohead’s compositions. It’s also the brainchild of tenor saxophonist Bobby Muncy, newly returned to the DMV from some time in Michigan (where he led a “Detroit Edition” of the Radiohead Jazz Project, too!). Muncy has not announced the lineup for this performance. However, past versions have almost always included trumpeter Joe Herrera and guitarist Anthony Pirog — adventurers who dig as deeply and eclectically into musical realms known and unknown as Muncy does. Vocalist Lena Seikaly has also been known to make an appearance. The Radiohead Jazz Project performs at 7 p.m. at An die Musik, 409 North Charles Street. $10-$15
Michael J. West is a freelance writer, editor, and jazz journalist who has been covering the Washington, D.C. jazz scene since 2009. He spends most days either hunkered down in the clubs or in his very big headphones. He lives in Washington with his wife and two children.
Recent Articles March 21st. A day that I will always think of amazing album releases. DC-based musician, producer, and singer-songwriter, Rachel Levitin, released Witty Banter
Alchemical Records is a Washington, D.C. based music publication. We cover the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, VA metro area music scenes, including band interviews, articles about your favorite musicians, new music and concert dates.
