DAT Organ Trio+1

About

Tedd Baker is a gripping D.C. saxophonist: burly tone wrapped around a taut rhythmic approach. That punch in sound is a sure indicator as to why he held the first tenor sax chair with the Airmen of Note. While recovering from a 2019 car crash, Baker evolved his writing and playing style. Today, his style is less that of the brawn of Sonny Rollins or dexterity of Coltrane but the enveloping tone of Wayne Shorter. Pianist Allyn Johnson, the “Dean of D.C. Jazz,” and head of the jazz program at UDC is a figurehead in the local jazz scene. He is lion-like on the ivories, punching out colorful, complex chords and harmonies that spread constantly through the music. Drummer Dana J. Hawkins made his mark in the D.C. jazz scene by working his way through any session he could find, including a regular feature at Elijah Easton’s mythic Service Bar sessions (he even played with Lizzo at her Tiny Desk). Together these three workhorse musicians are the DAT Organ Trio. They’re joined by rising guitarist Tommy Holladay for what’s sure to be an eeriely strong demonstration of D.C. jazz talent on Halloween.