Results for "Washington DC"

Fred Hughes

Born: March 19, 1961

From concerts, recordings and military service in Seoul, Korea to jazz festivals as a Jazz Ambassador; conducting orchestras across the United States as a musical director to recording and producing records as a pianist and leader of his own group; Fred Hughes has had a long and varied musical journey.   

Fred began studying keyboards and low brass at the age of 8 and by age 12 was a member of Local 294 of the American Federation of Musicians in his hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  He performed alongside his father in the New Holland and Bainbridge Bands on tuba and in his dad’s jazz group on organ.  Professional performances continued with his own organ trio until graduating from high school. 

Peter Fraize

Born: August 4, 1965

A distinct voice as both a saxophonist and composer, Peter Fraize is known for his impassioned high-energy playing, intricate and melodic writing, and his "no-boundaries" sensibility. His music draws from deep within the jazz tradition, exploratory free improvisation, modern rock and pop, and music from around the world. Based in Washington, DC, he is also familiar to international audiences through concert appearances in Peru, Japan and Europe. Most recently he toured the UK with his transatlantic organ group ATLANTICUS, appearing at the 2018 Love Supreme Festival.

Raised in a musical family in Northern Virginia, Peter took up the saxophone age nine

Sol Roots

The Sol Roots band performs a mix of New Orleans influenced funk, deep blues, heartfelt jazz and R&B, heartfelt soul, and hypnotic rhythms. Sol is a guitarist and vocalist who has toured around the world with many musical legends.

Sol's talent stretches from fiery rock to laid-back jazz, and from funky innovative grooves to soulful ballads, always drawing on a deep background in blues.

The Sol Roots band has shared the stage with acts such as Jon Cleary, Soulive, Booker T Jones, Cory Henry, Dumpstaphunk, The Wood Brothers, Sonny Landreth, Robert Randolph, Eric Lindell, Roosevelt Collier, Victor Wainwright, Walter "Wolfman" Washington, Shemekia Copeland, Jackie Greene and many more.

Monty Alexander: Still Rolling

by Geno Thackara
July 19, 2019

If there's one defining quality to Monty Alexander's music, it's joy. An unmistakable undercurrent of happiness has been constant across several decades, dozens of recordings and countless performances all over the world. He could be honoring classic jazz balladeers, exploring the danceable “riddims" of his native Jamaica or anything in between, and you can always hear ...

Christian de Mesones

Born: July 11, 1961

Christian made his debut on the national stage in 2006 performing at the Capital Jazz Festival. His band, Groove Skool was chosen from 50 entries to compete against up and coming artists such as Ken Ford, Matt Marshak and Ragan Whiteside. Groove Skool went on to release "Limited Edition” which yielded a top 10 most requested song, "Latin Jive". The band also sold out the legendary Blues Alley Jazz and Supper CLub in Washington, DC, and played large outdoor events such as the Lake Arbor Jazz Festival in Mitchellville, Maryland, and the 2nd Street Festival in Richmond, Virginia, both with crowds of over six thousand in attendance

Joshua Espinoza

Born: April 12, 1989

​Latino-American pianist Joshua Espinoza blends and bends genres into a style that is immediately relatable yet difficult to define. Fusing the spontaneity of jazz with soaring folk melodies, shimmering impressionism, and head bopping backbeats, Espinoza explores the art of musical storytelling with the refinement of classical chamber music but the freedom of jazz. Espinoza has performed professionally with jazz luminaries such as Sean Jones, Warren Wolf, Miho Hazama, Jihye Lee, Paul Bollenback, John D’earth, Mike Pope, Chuck Redd, and Kris Funn.

Phaze II Jazz

Active since: 1997

Over the years, Washingtonians have been fortunate to witness with pride the extraordinary number of outstanding jazz groups that have sprung forth from our area. We have another bright star to get excited about, PHAZE II.” Bob Jenkins, Smooth Jazz 105.9. Since 1997, PHAZE II has been providing Smooth and Funky Jazz sounds on the local music scene in the Washington, DC area, by honing its craft of delivering quality music to their listeners. PHAZE II has embarked on a journey to show the world the many talents that this jazz band has to offer. Determined to broaden their vision, PHAZE II entered the 13th Annual Capital Jazz Festival2005 Capital Jazz Challenge Competition

Robert Ellis & The LiveWires

Born: December 14, 1973

Robert Ellis & The LiveWires offer a fresh new voice in the conversation of jazz music. This unique group is led by Lead Pianist Robert Ellis who was born in New Orleans, the birthplace of Jazz. Robert is joined by his brother Reggie Ellis on Keys/Synths, Darion Duncan on Bass/Key Bass, Jheremy “Jay MusicMan” Thompson on Drums and newest member Josh Porter (not pictured) on Lead Guitar. The LiveWires formed in April of 2017 as a passion project for this group of musicians who simply loved playing together. They seamlessly blend multiple genres of music from Funk to Gospel, R&B to Jazz Fusion

Janine Gilbert-Carter

Born: September 25, 1960

Janine Carter was introduced to gospel, Jazz and blues at a very early age by her parents and grandmother. This Pennsylvania native cannot remember a time when music was not a part of her very existence. She began her musical journey like so many contemporary artists as a member of the choir at her church in Aliquippa, PA. She also had the opportunity to expand on her solo performances as a member of the Bach Choir of PA which performed some of Broadways most exciting musicals. Janine continued to use the gift she was given to perform at various functions and special events until she relocated to the Washington, DC Metropolitan area in the summer of 1988

Bill Barner

Bill's "Blue Basement" album is available on all streaming platforms. His "Ten Tunes" album reached number 10 on the jazz radio charts. Bill plays jazz in Washington, D.C. He’s played in bands that have shared the stage with Michael Franks, Mike Stern and Mark Isham. Bill played on Tobin Mueller’s "Rain Bather", winner of Album of the Year for 2009 at Chicagojazz.net and on Tobin's "Prestidigitation" album. He has created music for two modern dance companies.