UPDATED with Howard University's Jazz Week events.I sincerely apologize for the late update on Jazz Appreciation Month. I have a computer that's been threatening to die for some time, and it almost did, and ever since then it's been acting very sketchy. As in, intermittently and spontaneously shutting down for no apparent reason.
But on to better news. It's April, and DC is all about Cherry Blossoms and jazz. This is the best city in the world to be in during Jazz Appreciation Month — JAM was created by the Smithsonian Institution, based in DC, and because of that we are the beneficiaries of unbelievable jazz treats this month, and most of them are free.
There's amazing free music, like the Allyn Johnson Trio at UDC on Tuesday at 12:30, and a jam session with Jason Moran, Greg Osby and SJMO Musicians. There are films, book talks, curator tours, and even a Family Jazz Day at Fort Dupont Park on the 10th, that includes a performance by Delfeayo Marsalis.
April 26th is a big day in DC jazz — the day of the Calvin Jones Big Band Jazz Festival, featuring Howard University, Maryland University, and the University of the District of Columbia's big bands.
If you love jazz, April is a great time to be in DC. Here are many of the Jazz Appreciation Month events:
APRIL 6TH
April 6th 12:30JazzAlive UDC: Allyn Johnson Trio | UDC Recital Hall (Bldg 46-West) | 4200 Conn. Ave. NW Wash. DC | 202-274-5803
April 6, 7:30 - 9:30Howard University: Jon Hendricks, Aria Hendricks & Afro Blue | Andrew Rankin Chapel, 500 Howard Place, NW, Wash DC | 202-806-7097
APRIL 7TH
April 7, 6:30 - 8pmAmerican History Museum: Icons Among Us: Jazz in the Present Tense (documentary & discussion w/ Lars Larson, John Comerford, and Jason Moran and Greg Osby) | Carmichael Auditorium | Smithsonian Special Events tel. 202-633-3306 jazz@si.edu
April 7, 8:30pmAmerican History Museum: Jam Session with Jason Moran, Greg Osby and SJMO Musicians | Carmichael Auditorium | Smithsonian Special Events tel. 202-633-3306 jazz@si.edu
APRIL 8TH
April 8, 12:45pm Howard U: Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, the music of Freddy Hubbard. | Howard University Main Campus, Childers Hall Rm. 3001 | Prof. Fred Irby at firby@howard.edu or 202-806-7066
April 8, 6:30pm American History Museum: Guy & Madeline On A Park Bench (film) | Carmichael Auditorium | Smithsonian Special Events tel. 202-633-3306 jazz@si.edu
April 8th 7pmJazzAlive UDC: Icons Among us: Jazz in the Present Tense, Episode 1: The Quiet Revolution Film Screening & Discussion w/ Lars Larson, Greg Osby & Bruce Williams, moderated by Reuben Jackson | UDC Recital Hall (Bldg 46-West) | 4200 Conn. Ave. NW Wash. DC | 202-274-5803
APRIL 9TH
April 9, 12-2pmAmerican History Museum: Guitarist Workshop with Bucky Pizzarelli | Carmichael Auditorium, 1st Floor | Smithsonian Special Events tel. 202-633-3306 jazz@si.edu
APRIL 10TH
April 10, 1-4pmFort Dupont Park: Family Jazz Day /Delfeayo Marsalis (workshop, lecture, performance) | Fort Dupont Activity Center | 202-426-7723
April 10, 7:30pmMuseum of Natural History: Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, Hub-Tones The Life of Freddie Hubbard | Baird Auditorium
10th & Constitution Avenue, NW | 202-633-3030
APRIL 11TH
April 11, 2pmAnacostia Community Museum: Rhythm Cafe: Basie (Jamal Muhammad of WPFW 89.3 FM discusses Count Basie, Count Basie’s music performed by Howard University Jazz Band) | Program Room | 202-633-4866
APRIL 12TH
April 12, 7pmArena Stage: The Music in the Musical: "The Light in the Piazza" & "Sophisticated Ladies" | Arena Stage's Crystal City Theater, 1800 South Bell St. Arl. VA | 202-488-3300
APRIL 13TH
April 13 12:30pmUDC: UDC Small Jazz Ensembles, Allyn Johnson, Director | UDC Recital Hall (Bldg 46-West) | 4200 Conn. Ave. NW Wash. DC | 202-274-5803
APRIL 14TH
April 14 7pmUDC: JAZZ Forum –Special Film Screening: "Music Inn" | UDC Recital Hall (Bldg 46-West) | 4200 Conn. Ave. NW Wash. DC | 202-274-5803
APRIL 15TH
April 15, 5pmSmithsonian: Take Five! A Tribute to the Tax Man with Sandy Asirvatham | Kogod Courtyard | Smithsonian Special Events tel. 202-633-3306 jazz@si.edu
April 15, 6pmAmerican Art Museum & Portrait Gallery: Jazzin' It Up Tour | Meet in the F St. Lobby | Smithsonian Special Events tel. 202-633-3306 jazz@si.edu
April 15, 6pmAmerican Art Museum & Portrait Gallery: Ethel Merman: Face-to-Face Portrait Talk | Meet at F Street Lobby | Smithsonian Special Events tel. 202-633-3306 jazz@si.edu
APRIL 18TH
April 18, 7:30Katzen Arts Center: John Eaton on Jazz | 4400 Mass. Ave Wash DC | residentassociates.org
APRIL 20TH
April 20, 5pmAmerican Art Museum & Portrait Gallery: Panel Discussion: Future of Jazz Diplomacy | McEvoy Auditorium Lower Level (enter from G. St.) | americanart.si.edu/calendar Smithsonian Special Events tel. 202-633-3306
April 20, 7pmAmerican Art Museum & Portrait Gallery: The Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet | Kogod Courtyard | americanart.si.edu/calendar Smithsonian Special Events tel. 202-633-3306
APRIL 21ST
April 21, 11amSylvan Theater, National Mall: Big Band Jam, High School Big Bands | Smithsonian Special Events tel. 202-633-3306
April 21 12pmAmerican Art Museum & Portrait Gallery: Curator Tour: Meet Ella Fitzgerald | Meet in G Street Lobby | Smithsonian Special Events tel. 202-633-3306
April 21, 2pmAmerican Indian Museum: Big Band Jam's Alfred Educational Series Panel: Jazz Composition | Room 4018, 4th Level | Smithsonian Special Events tel. 202-633-3306
APRIL 22ND
April 22, 11amSylvan Theater, National Mall: Big Band Jam, High School Big Bands | Smithsonian Special Events tel. 202-633-3306
April 22 12pmAmerican Art Museum & Portrait Gallery: Curator Tour: Meet Ella Fitzgerald | Meet in G Street Lobby | Smithsonian Special Events tel. 202-633-3306
April 22, 3pmAmerican Indian Museum: Big Band Jam's Alfred Educational Series Panel: Jazz Composition | Room 4018, 4th Level | Smithsonian Special Events tel. 202-633-3306
APRIL 23RD
April 23, 11amSylvan Theater, National Mall: Big Band Jam, High School Big Bands | Smithsonian Special Events tel. 202-633-3306
April 23 12pmAmerican History Museum: International Sweethearts of Rhythm, book talk & signing | Carmichael Auditorium, 1st Floor | Smithsonian Special Events tel. 202-633-3306
April 23 12pmAmerican Art Museum & Portrait Gallery: Curator Tour: Meet Ella Fitzgerald | Meet in G Street Lobby | Smithsonian Special Events tel. 202-633-3306
April 23 2pmAmerican Indian Museum: Big Band Jam's Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Workshop with Connaitre Miller | Room 4018, 4th Level | Smithsonian Special Events tel. 202-633-3306
April 23 6-8pmNational Building Museum: Jazz and Crafts (Music Teaching Project students perform with Michael Bowie & Thad Wilson) | 4th and F St. NW | Smithsonian Special Events tel. 202-633-3306
APRIL 24TH
April 24 5pmSylvan Theater: Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra Ella Fitzgerald Tribute | National Mall near Independence Ave. & 15th St. | Smithsonian Special Events tel. 202-633-3306
April 24, 6-8pm National Building Museum: Jazz and Crafts (Music Teaching Project students perform with Michael Bowie & Thad Wilson) | 4th and F St. NW | Smithsonian Special Events tel. 202-633-3306
APRIL 25TH
April 25, 11:30-5pmAmerican Art Museum & Portrait Gallery: Happy Birthday Ella! (storybook readings, art project, jazz tour, and 3pm performance by Brade Linde Ensemble ft. Lena Seikaly | Kogod Courtyard and Education Center | Smithsonian Special Events tel. 202-633-3306
April 25, 1pmAmerican Art Museum & Portrait Gallery: Curator Tour: Jazz | Meet in G St. Lobby | Smithsonian Special Events tel. 202-633-3306
April 25, 6-8pmNational Building Museum: Jazz and Crafts (Music Teaching Project students perform with Michael Bowie & Thad Wilson) | 4th and F St. NW | Smithsonian Special Events tel. 202-633-3306
APRIL 26TH
April 26 8pm $20 suggested donationUDC: Calvin Jones BIG BAND Jazz Festival | University Auditorium (Bldg. 46-East) | 4200 Conn. Ave. NW Wash. DC | 202-274-5803
APRIL 29TH
April 29, 6-6:30pmAmerican Art Museum & Portrait Gallery: Lena Horne: Face-to-Face Portrait Talk | Meet at F St. Lobby | Smithsonian Special Events tel. 202-633-3306
April 29, 7:30pmKatzen Arts Center: One Two Three: Jerome Sabbagh Trio | 4400 Mass. Ave. Wash DC | Smithsonian Special Events tel. 202-633-3306
Jazz Week at Howard University
(Some of these events may also be listed under the Smithsonian JAM events list)Tuesday, April 6 10:00-11:00amHoward U: The Flutes of Howard University | Childers Recital Hall 3001,
2455 Sixth Street, NW | Prof. Fred Irby at firby@howard.edu or 202-806-7066
Tuesday, April 6 12:40pm-1:30pm Howard U: Paul Carr's Jazz Academy of Music | Andrew Ranking Memorial Chapel, Sixth Street and Howard Place, NW | Prof. Fred Irby at firby@howard.edu or 202-806-7066
Tuesday, April 6, 7:30-9:30pmHoward U: Jon Hendricks and Aria Hendricks / Afro Blue Concert | Andrew Ranking Memorial Chapel, Sixth Street and Howard Place, NW | ($20, $10 for students w/ ID) | Prof. Fred Irby at firby@howard.edu or 202-806-7066
Wednedsay, April 7, 12:00pm-1:30pmHoward U: Howard University Jazz Faculty Concert | Blackburn Center Gallery (Art Gallery located on 1st floor) 2397 Sixth Street, NW | Prof. Fred Irby at firby@howard.edu or 202-806-7066
Thursday, April 8, 10:00am-11:30am Howard U: John Mercer & Guests Lecture: Music in the Digital Age | Childers Recital Hall 3001, 2455 Sixth Street, NW | Prof. Fred Irby at firby@howard.edu or 202-806-7066
Thursday, April 8, 12:40-1:30pmHoward U: the Smithsonian Masterworks Ensemble - The Music of Freddie Hubbard | Childers REcital Hall 3001, 2455 Sixth Street, NW | Prof. Fred Irby at firby@howard.edu or 202-806-7066
Friday April 9, 12:00pm - 1:00pmHoward U: The Navy Commodores (Big Band) | Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel, Sixth Street and Howard Place, NW | Prof. Fred Irby at firby@howard.edu or 202-806-7066
Friday April 9, 6:00pm-8:00pmWestminster Church: The Howard University Jazz Ensemble | 400 I St., SW | Prof. Fred Irby at firby@howard.edu or 202-806-7066
Sunday April 11, 2:00-4:00pmAnacostia Community Museum: The Howard University Jazz Ensemble, music of Count Basie, Jamal Muhammad, Lecturer | 1901 Fort Place, SE | Prof. Fred Irby at firby@howard.edu or 202-806-7066
