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THURSDAY
Alto saxophonist Frank Morgan has led the life of jazz legend. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been one of monumental recording sessions or stylistic breakthroughs, but rather that of a drug fiend. During the ’40s and ’50s, jazz artists by the dozens were being carted off to prison for narcotics. Morgan followed suit in 1955, the year he released his debut album. After a long stretch of serving time and lying low, Morgan periodically resurfaced in the late-’70s before his full-blown 1985 comeback. A Bird-style bopper then and now, Morgan has also developed an ear for ballads and a curvaceous, soft tone diametrically opposed to his hard life. This show is billed as a piano/sax duet with Sir Roland Hanna, a setting Morgan exploited beautifully on his 1992 album, You Must Believe in Spring. At 8 & 10 p.m. at Blues Alley, 1073 Rear Wisconsin Ave. NW. $18. (202) 337-4141. (CP)