Live Jazz in Washington, D.C.

Pianist Antonio James performs quiet, plaintive piano jazz in the modes of Bill Evans and Oscar Peterson.

Ken Kilpatrick can most often be found strumming for cocktail-jazz mainstays Satin Doll Trio. Here, he branches out to lead his own group.

Ken Kilpatrick can most often be found strumming for cocktail-jazz mainstays Satin Doll Trio. Here, he branches out to lead his own group.

The Satin Doll Quartet – vocalist Patrice Ferris, guitarist Ken Kilpatrick, bassist Fred Ferris and a rotating drummer – perform an intimate, cozy style of cocktail lounge and supper club jazz. The group performs every Friday at LaPorta’s in Alexandria.

Sharón Clark is perhaps the most powerful jazz vocalist in Washington, D.C. She belts Great American songbook standards and soars over lush arrangements created by her regular pianist Chris Grasso. She performs in a trio every Saturday at LaPorta’s in Alexandria. Occasionally, featured artist Steve Washington sits in for Clark when she is away on tour.

Guitarist Steve Ragsdale performs standards and popular tunes with a light, harmonious touch.

Trumpeter Walt Johnson is likes to swing play his favorite standards. He plays every Sunday with a trio at LaPortas in Alexandria.

Berklee-educated Jim West – mostly known as a first-call drummer in D.C.’s straight-ahead scene – performs solo piano for Laporta’s Monday night dinner.