The DC Traveler

This month is yet another great month for live music in and around Washington, DC. My top picks for July include:

The Neville Brothers are playing at The Birchmere on the 1st, but the show is sold out, but there’s still some great shows to attend, including:

Randy Bachman, of The Guess Who and Bachman Turner Overdrive will be Takin’ Care of Business and celebrating Canada Day, Wednesday July 2, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. - $35.00
John Hiatt & The Ageless Beauties bring his guitar and piano and countless songs he wrote that were covered by the likes of Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, and Jimmy Buffett. Monday & Tuesday July, 7 & 8, 7:30 - $49.50 (The Sunday show is sold out). John Hiatt is also playing at Ram’s Head (see below) on Saturday, July 5th.
Flashback to the 1960s, Herman’s Hermits featuring Peter Noone bring their English pop hits such as “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter”, and “I’m Henry VIII, I Am” to The Birch. Thursday July 10, 7:30 - $39.50

Herman's Hermits

Kenny Loggins, who was once paired up with Jim Messina and released a couple powerful albums. He also co-wrote “What a Fool Believes” and “This Is It” with Michael McDonald (Doobie Brothers). The songs earned him a Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal. Tuesday & Wednesday, July 22 & 23, 7:30 - $79.50

The Birchmere
3701 Mt. Vernon Ave.
Alexandria, VA 22305 (map it)

At the State Theatre in July, check out:

Grammy nominated singer, songwriter Joan Armatrading brings her distinctive deep, rich voice and real life lyrics to The State for one night. Thursday, July 10, 7:00 - $50.00
Come on baby, light my fire!! If you are a fan of Jim Morrison and The Doors, check out The Soft Parade, a Doors tribute band. Front man Jim Russon looks and more importantly sounds like the hard-drinking, fast living, wild poet, Jim Morrison. Check out a few of their audio clips here. The video clip is uncanny. Saturday, July 26, 7:00 - $14.00

State Theatre
220 Washington Street
Falls Church, VA
703-237-0300 (map it)

In the heart of Georgetown, at Blues Alley:

Enjoy the Gypsy Rumba, Flamenco and Bossa Nova sounds of Trio Calenta. I’ve covered the music of Michael Bard, one of the members of the trio on The DC Traveler, and it should be, as usual, a great show. Tuesday, July 8, 8:00 and $10:00 - $18.00
Trumpeter and pianist Arturo Sandoval Cuban jazz sound ranges from softer lounge swing to upbeat Tito Puente style dance music. Thursday, July 17 - Sunday, July 20, two shows nightly - 8:00 & 10:00 - $43.00
Smooth jazz sax player, Walter Beasley delivers his own sensuous sound. Thursday, July 24 - Sunday, July 27, two shows nightly - 8:00 & 10:00 - $30.00

Blues Alley
1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20007 (map it)

9:30 Club is hosing some great international music in July. Check out:

Seun Kuti, son of legendary Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, & his band Egypt 80 will be delivering their upbeat and unique Nigerian funk jazz sound. Monday, July 7, doors open at 7:00 - $25.00

Rally Round one of reggae’s mainstream roots bands, Steel Pulse, who originally came out of England. Their U.S. premiere back in 1981, included a live broadcast from Club 9:30, on the night of Bob Marley’s funeral. Friday, July 11, doors open at 7:00, $25.00
Wildman George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic takes funk to a whole new level. Saturday, July 19, Doors open at 8:00, $40.00

9:30 Club
815 V Street, NW
Washington, DC (map it)
202-393-0930

Live at the Ram’s Head :

After releasing 6 CDS, Shelby Lynne finally won, of all things, a Best New Artist Grammy in 1999, for her eclectic R&B album, I Am Shelby Lynne. Expect a long list of smoky ballads and sexy love longs. Below is an old clip form TNN. Monday, July 14, 7:00 - $33.00

One of my favorite jazz fusion artists from my college days, the pioneering keyboardist Jeff Lorber, mixes a variety of jazz styles into his own funky, hard-driven, groove. And before Kenny G. went all “soft and smooth”, he was Jeff’s sax player in Jeff Lorber Fusion. Sunday, July 20, two shows - 6:00 & 9:00 - $28.50

Ram’s Head Tavern
33 West Street
Annapolis, MD 21401 (map it)
410-268-4545

At the outdoor amphitheater at the Belmont Country Club in Ashburn, VA, it’s time for some Southern roots.

The devil may have gone down to Georgia, but The South’s Gonna Do It Again… this time with big hats, big belt buckles and the classic big Southern rock sound of the Charlie Daniel’s Band!! Sunday, July 20, doors open at 5:00, opening band starts around 6:15 and CDB at 7:15.

DCB