Live Jazz in Washington, D.C.

The Blue Dot Jazz Troupe brings funk, straight-ahead, and R&B to bars, corporate affairs and weddings throughout the DMV. Pianist Andy Statler – himself an Arlington native – leads the ensemble, which consists of a rotating cast of young D.C. musicians on the cutting edge of bop. Every Thursday, the group performs as a duo at The Alex, a speakeasy located in the basement of Georgetown’s swanky Graham hotel.

Herb Scott is something of a symbol of the modern jazz cat: he can blow on his alto sax with the best of them, capable of burning down the house with Charlie Parker-style rapid-fire phrasing, or can pick up the mic to drop some bars as a rapper. He’s even been known to try his hand at reggaeton. He’s exploring all of his options, creatively and economically, as a musician. He’s also a tireless champion of jazz in the District.

The Blue Dot Jazz Troupe brings funk, straight-ahead and R&B to bars, corporate affairs and weddings throughout the DMV. Pianist Andy Statler – himself an Arlington native – leads the ensemble, which consists of a rotating cast of young D.C. musicians on the cutting edge of bop. Every Friday and Saturday, the group performs as a trio at The Alex, where Statler is joined by bassist Dan Brown and a rotating cast of vocalists, including Sara Zhu, Madilyn Crossland, Taisha Estrada and Jarreau Williams.

Herb Scott is something of a symbol of the modern jazz cat: he can blow on his alto sax with the best of them, capable of burning down the house with Charlie Parker-style rapid-fire phrasing, or can pick up the mic to drop some bars as a rapper. He’s even been known to try his hand at reggaeton. He’s exploring all of his options, creatively and economically, as a musician. He’s also a tireless champion of jazz in the District.

Seven-string guitarist Steve Herberman favors a interplay of melodic and harmonic riffing not unlike Jim Hall. He performs in a duo with pianist Harry Appelman.

Guitarist Dave Manley, who navigates the fretboard with the flair and flow of Carlos Santana mixed with Wes Montgomery, performs a synthesis of improvised music that is surely indebted to jazz but draw on rock, hip-hop and everything in between. Manley is joined by a guest – often longtime D.C. pianist Sammy Mungia – every Sunday at this pre-prohibition era cocktail bar in Dupont Circle. The duo runs through standards and contemporary classics.

Seven-string guitarist Steve Herberman favors a interplay of melodic and harmonic riffing not unlike Jim Hall. He performs in a duo with bassist Paul Langosch.

The Blue Dot Jazz Troupe brings funk, straight-ahead, and R&B to bars, corporate affairs and weddings throughout the DMV. Pianist Andy Statler – himself an Arlington native – leads the ensemble, which consists of a rotating cast of young D.C. musicians on the cutting edge of bop. Every Thursday, the group performs as a duo at The Alex, a speakeasy located in the basement of Georgetown’s swanky Graham hotel.