Fresh off a well-reviewed performance at NEARfest, the most prestigious progressive rock festival in the United States (don't laugh), Mexican instrumental trio Cabezas de Cera are playing two dates this week in D.C. plus one in Baltimore. Cabezas de Cera aren't your typical bombastic prog band; rather, they combine folk, prog, free improv and a [...]
"Wasn't he just here?" you might be thinking. Well, yes, but the last time famed free-jazzer Peter Brötzmann played the Velvet Lounge, just a few weeks ago, he wasn't backed by a rhythm section straight out of the extreme metal world.
Full Blast sees Brötzmann in a trio with electric bassist Marino Pliakas and whirling dervish/drummer [...]
Nordic Jazz Fest, hosted annually by the embassies of Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Denmark, has become Nordic Jazz Week for 2009, featuring an opening performance at the Embassy of Finland on Sunday, June 14, and then two nights of performances at the House of Sweden on June 16-17.
Of note in the lineup are Norwegians [...]
If this week's Opeth and Enslaved bill at the 9:30 Club was an inspired pairing, the combination of Isis and Pelican tomorrow at the Black Cat is almost too obvious. Imagine post-rock played with heavy metal riffs and you've got the right idea for both these groups. Isis are touring in support of [...]
Jammin' Java is a thoroughly unassuming venue, located under spare signage on a strip mall in Vienna, Virginia–as appropriate a place as any for a stripped-down set. Philly-born trio Marah was, by its own admission, exhausted after a racous homecoming set the night before. Frontman David Bielanko, clammy and translucent under the stage lights, looked [...]
Last night's show at The Black Cat featured heavy dance rock from two bands: one that was amusing for all the wrong reasons, and one that was amusing for all the right ones.
I had never listened to Living Things before this show, so I was not certain what I was in for. "Living Things": I [...]
Ever philosophical Reginald Cyntje — the District's go-to jazz trombonist — has been inspired by the until-today-nonsucky weather to put on a special concert at Twins Jazz, 1344 U Street NW, on Saturday afternoon at 3.
Billed as the "Celebration of Love & the Change of Season concert," the gig features Cyntje with a quartet [...]
Some time ago, Fairfax City Parks & Rec employee Andrew McCarry handed me a glossy flyer with the words "AVANT FAIRFAX" splashed colorfully across the top. I had heard of this event before, but I'm sure he would have forgiven me if I'd done a double-take. As someone who treks into the District several times [...]
The Washington Jewish Music Festival, now in its tenth year, caters to all sorts of musical tastes, and every year there's usually something for everyone. Last year was a particularly grand experience, as the festival dovetailed with a huge Israel@60 Celebration that featured a free Regina Spektor concert on the Mall (pictured above). This year's [...]
Apparently I picked the worst time possible to take a long weekend and skip town, because for the experimental jazz/rock fan there is something awesome happening every night for the next four nights. Check it out:
Thursday, April 16: Composer/arranger Ed Palermo will be conducting the U.S. Army Blues ensemble in a program comprised entirely of [...]
