by Michael J. West
Wednesday, February 26
A year ago this week, we covered the debut performance by the KW Big Band. It was full of unusual forms and complex harmonies—but also lots of grooves. “Even if it’s super complicated, it still needs to feel good,” co-leader and pianist Tim Whalen explained at the time. It worked, added his partner, guitarist Michael Kramer: “There were two or three instances where the audience actually clapped, not after a solo, but after an ensemble section. That’s what our band is about.” What else do you need to know? Well, it might be good to hear that they’ve also got some of the most remarkable musicians in the D.C. area: tenor saxophonist Tedd Baker, trumpeter Graham Breedlove, and the wonderful drummer Steve Fidyk, among others. They’ve made it a point not to play too often: hey, smaller supply breeds greater demand! You should satiate your demand now. The KW Big Band performs at 8 and 10 p.m. at Blues Alley, 1073 Wisconsin Avenue NW in Washington DC. $22
Friday, February 28
The appearance of Charles Tolliver in Baltimore, believe it or not, is big, exciting news. The Florida-born trumpeter and composer made his mark in jazz working as a sideman with Jackie McLean, Andrew Hill, and Gary Bartz before making another mark with his Strata-East Records (cofounded with pianist and Maryland resident Stanley Cowell). It made Tolliver a major voice in the jazz music of the ‘70s, with Strata-East becoming an important sound component of the Black Consciousness movement of that era. Tolliver, though, was never an ideologue; certainly since his re-emergence (after a very long hiatus) in the 21st century, his music has been dedicated to lush, highly detailed compositions and arrangements (made possible by the Charles Tolliver Big Band, his primary vehicle). Since that re-emergence, however, Tolliver has not really made any appearances in the DMV—at least, not any significant ones. That changes here and now with a lean five-piece that includes legendary bassist Buster Williams and drummer Lenny White along with pianist Keith Brown, guitarist Bruce Edwards, and the trumpeter himself. The Charles Tolliver 5tet performs at 8 p.m. at An Die Musik, 409 North Charles Street in Baltimore. $10-$35 (Photo credit: Gene Jackson)
Saturday, February 29
It’s awfully hard not to immediately associate Matthew Whitaker with Stevie Wonder. He’s a multi-instrumentalist, a child prodigy—just 18, having won amateur night at The Apollo when he was 9—and oh yes, he’s blind. (Not that anybody is doing much to discourage that comparison: He plays Wonder songs in concert, and two years ago, the Today show filmed a segment in which Whitaker meets guess who?) Having said that, Whitaker is the jazz world’s Wonder analogue, leading a quartet with piano and gospel-drenched organ with an unbelievable rhythmic sense a touch full of elaborate but surprisingly tasteful latticework. You don’t have to have been blown away by Whitaker to think that he’s at the cusp of a very long and prosperous artistic career. You might as well get in on the ground floor with this performance. (No word on whether he’ll also be playing drums and vibraphone—although he can—but then jazz is about surprises, isn’t it?) Matthew Whitaker performs at 7 p.m. at Sixth & I, 600 I Street NW in Washington DC. $30 (Photo credit: Jacob Blickenstaff)
Sunday, March 1
If you watched Ken Burns’s recent Country Music documentary, you know how rich and enduring are the links between jazz and country. Nevertheless, the number of jazz musicians who work on fusing jazz with country music elements is remarkably few. In fact, nearly all of them are taking the stage at the same time on Sunday night in Baltimore. The central figure is guitarist Bill Frisell, who has long touched on traditional music of (especially) the Prairies with his windswept approach to the electric six-string. His band Harmony features the bluegrass-flavored improvisational music of jazz and folk cellist Hank Roberts; bassist and baritone and pedal-steel guitarist Luke Bergman; and vocalist Petra Haden, the daughter of jazz bass legend and Ozark old-time-music lover Charlie Haden. (Petra soaked up those sounds, often singing the repertoire in a harmony vocal ensemble with her two sisters.) Get your jazzcountrygrass ya-yas out! Bill Frisell’s Harmony performs at 5 and 7:30 p.m. at Keystone Korner, 1350 Lancaster Street in Baltimore. $25-$35
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.
