Wednesday, May 14, 2025
By Mark Edelman
Sinatra intoned the Maxwell Anderson lyric “it’s a long, long while from May to December,” (music by Kurt Weill) but with this great weather, who’s counting winter? Check out some of these jazz sets for the merry month of May
Saturday, May 17
Veronneau
Blues Alley
1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Quebec is a long way from the hot beds of jazz here in the States, but don’t tell Lynn Veronneau. With her Brit husband Ken Avis on guitar, she serves up a compelling program of jazz vocals in her native French, Portuguese and English, interweaving elements of chanson, Gypsy Swing and great American songbook—jazz, pop and otherwise—into the mix. May 17 marks their return to DC’s home of big-name jazz, after a much admired residence back in 2023, as they release a new CD.
Joining Lynn and Ken are sidemen Karine Chapdelaine on bass, Manny Arciniega behind the drum kit and special guest violinist Dave Kline as they celebrate “Blue Tapestry,” their new CD. The album recognizes the influences of two great tunesmiths— Joni Mitchell and Carole King—and their wonderful contributions to the great American songbook.
“In songs and stories, we try to bring to life the music of these celebrated and beloved artists,” explained Ms. Veronneau of the new collaboration. “They put women center-stage as composers and performers with unforgettable songs which are part of America’s musical DNA.”
The album includes standards from King’s “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” and “I Feel the Earth Move,” to “River” and “Carey” from Joni Mitchell’s iconic album “Blue.”
Veronneau has a long history with DC jazz and Blues Alley. Winners of seven WAMMIE awards including for best band, best vocals and recording, they were on hand to re-open the beloved jazz club after the pandemic. The due has previously released five albums that reached the Top Ten in jazz charts here in the US and around the world. They continue to maintain an active tour schedule, booking dates in France, Switzerland, Portugal and Spain in 2024 and heading to Canada, the UK and Sweden in 2025.
We’re lucky to have Veronneau in our musical midsts. Check them—and their new CD release—May 17 at Blues Alley.
May at the Clubs:
Besides the Vernonneau date, DC’s pre-eminent jazz home Blues Alley, jazz bassist Buster Williams headlines on May 15 and 16. Jazz vibraphonist Stefon Harris leads his combo Blackout on May 23 and 24 and the month closes out with another record release party, this time starring saxophonist Frank Catalano.
Over at Mr. Henry’s on Capitol Hill, vocalist and activist Rachel Burns headlines on May 23 and saxophonist Bobby Muncy fronts a combo a week later on May 30.
Laporta’s in Alexandria fills up the week’s calendar nightly with fine music, including Tuesday night solo piano sessions with Antonio James, Steve Washington on Saturday eves and Walt Johnson bring on the rear on Sundays. No cover. Tuesday nights find Dave Manley and company from 7:30 p.m. at Divino Ristorante Enoteca in the Glover Park Hotel in Georgetown; Dave also gigs on Friday nights at Zinnia.
Green Island Café hosts the Peter Edelman Trio Thursday thru Sunday eves. There’s a Django Jazz Jam happening on May 27 at City State Brewery while Jojo on the U Street corridor welcomes vocalist Loide Jorge on May 17. Finally, Keystone Korner in Baltimore presents Eddie Henderson on trumpet and Billy Hart drums, among other jazz luminaries from May 15 through 17, followed by trumpet player Tom Browne on May 30.
May in Concert:
Bass guitar great Stanley Clarke leads his band N4 Ever into the Kennedy Center on May 31. The Birchmere in Alexandria has a full month of jazz programming, with pianist and composer Keiko Matsui comes to town on May 16, followed by guitarist Norman Brown on May 18 and reedman Walter Beasley rounding out the month on May 31.
The writer has been a member of the Jazz Journalists Assn since 2010. He was publisher of JAM Magazine for three years and executive produced 12th Street Jump, public radio’s weekly jazz, blues and comedy jam, for nine. Read his reviews online at allaboujazz.com