Friday, Feb. 11
Freddie Redd is one of the great secret weapons of hard bop piano, a man who spent the 1950s playing on records—-his own and others’—-that were bona fide jukebox hits. Butch Warren is a living legend, the former house bassist for Blue Note Records whose name is stamped on undeniable classics of the ’60s, and the reigning grandfather of the thunderous D.C. bass sound. The link between them? Well, in 2011, it’s Brad Linde—-D.C.’s own multitasking tenor and baritone saxophonist, who’s brought the two giants together in an ensemble appropriately called the Butch Warren/Freddie Redd Quintet (also featuring tenor saxophonist Brian Settles and drummer Tony Martucci). They’ll be dividing the set between Warren, Redd, and Linde compositions at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. at Bohemian Caverns, 2001 11th St. NW. $25.
Saturday, Feb. 12
No relation to Freddie, drummer/vibraphonist Chuck Redd earned his D.C. jazz credentials 30 years ago when he joined the trio led by legendary guitarist Charlie Byrd. Redd kept performing with Byrd until his 1999 death; he also established quite a reputation for himself working with clarinetist Ken Peplowski, guitarist Barney Kessel, vocalists Susannah McCorkle and Mel Torme, and the Smithsonian Jazz Masters Orchestra—-not to mention his piano-playing brother Redd. Those gigs have taken him to New York and elsewhere, all over the world in fact, but DC remains his home and the site of the bulk of his work. (For one thing, he’s on the faculty at The University of Maryland School of Music). This weekend, however, marks the first time he’s ever performed at the BlackRock Center for the Arts. He performs at 8 p.m. at BlackRock, 12901 Town Commons Drive in Germantown. $25-30.
Sunday, Feb. 13
The small “D.C. Jazz Loft” presentation in December turned out to be a huge success. A steady crowd of jazz fans and curious listeners flowed in and out of the five-act concert presented by CapitalBop, the D.C. jazz website run by local advocate Giovanni Russonello and musician Luke Stewart. It worked so well, in fact, that they’re doing it again. This time it’s under the moniker “D.C. Jazz Loft – Bebop Edition,” a more focused approach than the sprawling, multicolored showcase from December. “The music isn’t strictly bebop,” Russonello clarifies, “but most all of it will be swingin’ its butt off.” There will be four acts at this one: Charles Rahmat Woods’ D.C. Love Orchestra, bands led by the aforementioned Brad Linde and Brian Settles, and an encore performance by the U Street All-Stars that will feature an open jam session to conclude the show. If it’s anything like the first, it’s unmissable. The D.C. Jazz Loft begins at 7 p.m. at the Red Door, 443 I St. NW. $5 (suggested donation).
Tuesday, Feb. 15
Trumpeter Joe Herrera listens to everything. He plays everything: soul, funk, R&B, rock, Latin, and jazz, among others. He’s worked with everyone in town, everyone who comes through town, and has ventured around the country to play. And God bless him, he keeps coming back, looking for more. He’s even put together a double-trumpet sextet, not a terribly frequent instrumentation around these parts. Herrera pairs his tart tone with the clear, golden sound of Alex Norris‘ horn, in what will surely feature a fierce duel or two. Or five. Joining them will be the 21-but-already-great Elijah Balbed on tenor sax, tremendous bassist Reagan Brough, adrenalin-packed drummer Dave McDonald, and newcomer pianist Tim Whalen they perform at 8 and 10 p.m. at Twins Jazz, 1344 U St. NW. $10.