Live Jazz in Washington, D.C.

Trumpeter Thad Wilson has been a presence on the D.C. jazz scene, and a cornerstone of the straight-ahead jazz circles. He plays trumpet and flugelhorn in a highly lyrical, almost romantic style. He’s as comfortable weaving sonic portraits with a big band as he is playing out in the small combo setting.

The SK Jazz Group specializes in straight-ahead jazz standards. It features Steve Kaufman on horns trumpet and flugelhorn, Edward Plant on bass, Phil Heliliger on piano and Chris Allen on drums. They perform every second Saturday at Bourbon Boulevard in Chantilly.

Trumpeter Joseph Brotherton’s confident, full-voiced trumpet sound can be heard in bands of all kinds across the District (and abroad). His horn’s sound wouldn’t be out of place in the first chair of a latin big band, but his experience in small groups allows him to execute jazz lines with care. He leads a small combo every Monday at St. Vincent Wine.

Trumpeter Thad Wilson has been a presence on the D.C. jazz scene, and a cornerstone of the straight-ahead jazz circles. He plays trumpet and flugelhorn in a highly lyrical, almost romantic style. He’s as comfortable weaving sonic portraits with a big band as he is playing out in the small combo setting.

Trumpeter Joseph Brotherton’s confident, full-voiced trumpet sound can be heard in bands of all kinds across the District (and abroad). His horn’s sound wouldn’t be out of place in the first chair of a latin big band, but his experience in small groups allows him to execute jazz lines with care. He leads a small combo every Monday at St. Vincent Wine.

Trumpeter Thad Wilson has been a presence on the D.C. jazz scene, and a cornerstone of the straight-ahead jazz circles. He plays trumpet and flugelhorn in a highly lyrical, almost romantic style. He’s as comfortable weaving sonic portraits with a big band as he is playing out in the small combo setting.

Trumpeter Thad Wilson has been a presence on the D.C. jazz scene, and a cornerstone of the straight-ahead jazz circles. He plays trumpet and flugelhorn in a highly lyrical, almost romantic style. He’s as comfortable weaving sonic portraits with a big band as he is playing out in the small combo setting.

Saxophonist BJ Simmons’ music is heavily layered, bridging elements of jazz, hip-hop and soul. His compositions feature a mixture of spoken word, velvety R&B style vocals, rich improvisational melodies, abstract soundscapes and chilled syncopated beats. At D.C.’s jazz church, Simmons shows of his true bebop and classic sax-work chops by leading a tribute to one of Duke Ellington’s longest-tenured collaborators, alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges. As Ellington said of Hodges at a famous performance at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1958, “If you’ve heard of the saxophone, then you’ve heard of Johnny Hodges.” Simmons employs a strong band for this tribute: Donvonte McCoy on trumpet, Allyn Johnson on piano, Herman Burney on bass, and Tyler Leak on drums.