The DC Traveler

June 7th, 2008

America’s Jazz Ambassadors

The U.S. State Department sends American musicians on international tours to act as roving cultural ambassadors. During the 1950’s through the 1970’s, many legendary jazz musicians such as Louie Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and Dave Brubeck hit the road to spread the all-American sound of jazz. 

The photo exhibit Jam Session: America’s Jazz Ambassadors Embrace […]

By Jon -- 0 comments

May 29th, 2008

Capital Jazz Fest - Next Weekend

The annual 3-day Capital Jazz Fest is next weekend, at Merriweather Post Pavilion in suburban Washington, DC.
The list of performances by jazz and smooth jazz headliners includes some great names, including:

Justin Young, Boney James and Brian McKnight – Friday, June 6, 2008 - 7:30 p.m. $36.50 
Spyro Gyra, Kim Waters, Roberta Flack, Wayman Tisdale,  Dianne Reeves, […]

By Jon -- 2 comments

May 1st, 2008

May Music Highlights

In May, there’s lots of great music in and around Washington, DC,  including the first shows at Wolftrap and lots of classic bands. So lets take the highlight tour.
At the Birchmere this month, a couple great guitarists, a killer mandolin player and a smooth piano player.

Smooth jazz guitarist, Norman Brown. Sunday May 4, 2008  […]

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April 17th, 2008

DC’s Annual Big Band Jam - April 18-27

The annual Big Band JAM features 10-days of the big band sounds from world-famous musicians and bands, college, high school, military and area jazz bands as well as tributes to a few legends of the hot sounds of jazz. 
A few of the highlights include performances by The Duke Ellington Orchestra, a special tribute to Ella […]

By Jon -- 1 comment

April 12th, 2008

Mt. Vernon Wine & Jazz Festival

One of most enjoyable things for many people to do on a beautiful spring evening is to listen to live music and enjoy a nice glass of wine while relaxing on a beautiful lawn.
And the annual Spring Wine Festival and Sunset Tour at George Washington’s Mt. Vernon Estate is once such event.
The gardens at Mt. […]

By Jon -- 2 comments

December 8th, 2006

Jazz Singer - Stacey Kent at Blues Alley - Dec. 14-16

A friend of mine (thanks Holli) recently turned me on to a great jazz singer, Stacey Kent.
This engaging young jazz vocalist delivers heart-felt interpretations of moody ballads, well-known standards from the 30s and 40s and upbeat swing tunes with a sweet delivery that highlights her unique phrasing.  She has a simple, clean and simply unaffected, […]

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October 25th, 2006

Jazz in DC

You might not think of our Nation’s Capital as a place for jazz, but DC has some rich jazz history. There are a couple top places for hearing live jazz that have been around for years.
Blues Alley
Located in an alley in historic Georgetown, just a block from Wisconsin Ave. and M Street, Blues Alley has been a […]

By Jon -- 1 comment