Results for "Washington"

Reginald Cyntje Music

Born: January 27, 1976

REGINALD CYNTJE (born in Roseau, Dominica and raised on St. Thomas, USVI) is a trombonist, educator, producer, and composer. He has created and performed an eclectic range of music. When you listen to Cyntje perform, you hear a passion for life and love in his sound. Growing up in the US Virgin Islands (USVI), he was steeped in the rich cultural music known as Quelbe (the official music of the USVI). Quelbe was Reginald’s introduction to improvised music. With cultural heritage at the forefront and social justice as the message, he has “a deep-seated knowledge of Caribbean music and culture which has settled into his jazz trombone playing” (NPR Music). To date, Cyntje has recorded six albums as a leader

Bhagwan Khalsa

Born: January 24

Bassist Bhagwan Khalsa, one of the most sought-after acoustic bassists in the DC area, is currently a member of the Eric Byrd Trio. His original arrangements are essential to shaping the sound of the trio, and he has recorded on all of the trio’s albums. With the Eric Byrd Trio, Khalsa has traveled extensively around the globe, performing and teaching music, and in 2001, the trio had the opportunity to travel under the auspices of the US State Department as Jazz Ambassadors. Since 2001, they’ve returned to Peru twice and Bolivia five times; they have performed at the Montreaux Jazz Festival and have toured in Estonia and the United Arab Emirates

Emy Tseng

Born: August 19

Those seeking superlative jazz music must experience Emy Tseng, through her rejuvenated and incisive interpretations of authentic modern and Brazilian jazz, delightfully complemented by her elegant voice and delicate delivery. Collaborating with the finest Brazilian jazz musicians in Washington DC, Tseng showcases an exquisite fusion of the genre and eclectic arrangements of standards. With a tranquil and wistful performance, Tseng leaves an inimitable, personal impression on an exciting collection of tunes, exploring the works of Brazil’s most sophisticated composers. Performing in Portuguese and English, she thrives on her precise intonation and phrasing aboard her music's peacefully fashioned ambiance

Leigh Pilzer

“A force of nature on the baritone.” –Adam Narimatsu, CapitalBop

Washington, DC native Leigh Pilzer is a baritone saxophone specialist, composer, arranger, and educator. Her performance resume includes appearances with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra, the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore’s Soulful Symphony, and more. She is also a bandleader in her own right, leading the Leigh Pilzer Startet, her all-star quartet/quintet; organ group Leigh Pilzer’s Low Standards; and her latest project, Leigh Pilzer’s Seven Pointed Star. She also co-leads PALS, a duo with bassist Amy Shook and JLQ, the Jen Krupa-Leigh Pilzer Quintet. Pilzer has presented her groups to enthusiastic audience response at top venues including Blues Alley, Keystone Korner, the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, and the Atlas Performing Arts Center, to name a few. 

Kris Funn

Born: January 7

Kristopher Funn was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. He began playing the trumpet at age four and took up the double bass at age 14 upon entering high school. Through the instruction of his father, Charles Funn, Kristopher performed his first professional bass gig the same year he began learning the instrument. Other early accomplishments included winning the “unsung hero” at the Fish Middleton jazz competition at the East Coast Jazz festival also in the first year of instruction. At age 18, Kristopher attended Howard University to study Computer Science while also performing in the Howard University Jazz Ensemble for two years

Chris Grasso

Chris Grasso is a Washington, D.C.-based jazz pianist who specializes in working with vocalists. He has performed with Gene Bertoncini, Keter Betts, Carmen Bradford, Lea DeLaria, Kenny Garrett, Allan Harris, Nicole Henry, Buck Hill, Marlon and Stephanie Jordan, Lewis Nash, Nicki Parrott, Ken Peplowski, Houston Person, Bucky Pizzarelli, Chuck Redd, Joshua Redman, Avery Sharpe, Janis Siegel, Suede, Denise Thimes, Frank Vignola, Bobby Watson, Cassandra Wilson, Matt Wilson and more. Chris has appeared at leading venues including Jazz at Lincoln Center, Birdland, the Kennedy Center, Blues Alley, Bohemian Caverns, the Iridium, and the Music Center at Strathmore, as well as festivals in the U.S. and overseas. 

Sweet Honey In The Rock

Challenge and change are the themes underlying the 40-plus-year career of the revered female African-American a cappella ensemble, SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK. In the course of creating its adventurous and diverse mixture of blues, African, jazz, gospel and R&B music, with excursions into symphonic and dance theater, 23 vocalists have passed through the group, formed as a quartet in 1973 at a workshop at the D.C. Black Repertory Theater Company in Washington. Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, Carol Maillard, Louise Robinson, and Mie drew their name from the first song they learned, “Sweet Honey in the Rock,” based on a Biblical psalm

Tom Newman

Born: March 14

Tom Newman is a real, true musician. Boiling in his veins is the talent of a true musical icon. With modesty, diligence and passion, Tom Newman works in every performance to create a musical atmosphere so fierce each audience member is left breathless and inspired. Tom Newman is a native Washingtonian who started formally studying guitar at age 15 and turned professional before his 16th birthday. “I can remember traveling to Northern Virginia from Northwest DC by myself when I was 15 to practice for performances I had with guys three times my age.” His independence and maturity landed him many performance and learning opportunities at a young age

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

Sol Roots

The Sol Roots band performs a mix of raw funk, deep blues, heartfelt jazz and R&B, greasy 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.