Keeping You In The Musical Know (Holiday Edition)

Life is busy. We’ve all been buying holiday presents, making travel plans, watching Glee (yup, so what if I like it?), and (hopefully) filling ourselves with holiday cheer. While I’m pretty on top of all of that stuff, I often forget to plan what to do with that extra evening, day off, or free time that seems to magically appear at the last moment. If I had a nickel for every time I was left looking for an activity or show at the last second, I’d have – somewhat ironically – more money to use for activities and shows.

So – in keeping with my goals, I humbly submit for the approval of the midnight society a list of upcoming musical events that I’m betting you have not yet noticed that might peak your interest. I hope to attend a few of these. See you there!

- theClubScout

PS - Feel free to leave a comment below if you know of any other awesome music coming to DC in December or January. I'm always listening...

Fri 12/18 - The Greyboy Allstars @ the 9:30 Club ($25) - Make yourself a sandwich with funk and jazz spread all over two slices of jam band and you can taste what these guys do. I’ve never seen them live, but I have their CDs and I’d really like to go to a show.

Web: http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?orgid=3595&pid=6628498

Go if: You love meandering jams, you love an awesome groove.

Fri 12/24 @ 6PM – All Star Jazz Jam @ the Millenium Stage at the Kennedy Center (Free!!) – I’ve had real hit or miss experiences going to jazz. Its like a conversation – I often leave a show saying either: “We really connected” or “I don’t know what the hell he was talking about”. For this reason, I love when jazz is cheap or free – if I don’t get it, I can call it “a learning experience” rather than “an expensive way to feel dumb”. These dudes are all really good, the singer will keep them from going too far into Coltrane weirdness, and the price is right. Free shuttle from the Foggy Bottom Metro.

Web: http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/index.cfm?fuseaction=searchDay&bmonth=12&byear=2009&bday=25

Go if: You’ve got some time on your hands, if you love jazz, or if you live nearby.

Tues 12/29 @ 7PM – The Roots @ the 9:30 Club ($45) – These guys are currently the house band for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. They have a rapper and a tuba guy – need I say more? They are a true hip-hop band (rather than a group with pre-recorded music) and have won a Grammy (I think for being the coolest guys out there).

Web: http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?orgid=3595&pid=6640937

Go if: You love hip-hop, but really appreciate when the beats and melodies are created on something other than a computer.

Thurs 1/7 @ Time TBD - THE GRAHAM KEIR GROUP FEATURING LENA SEIKALY @ Twins Jazz ($TBD) – A Jazz Guitar based quartet with an added vocalist – I’ve been looking for a great player who recognizes the classics (Wes Montgomery, George Benson), but has a modern touch. Rumor has it that Graham Keir is that kind of player and I intend to find out for sure. Lena Seikaly is the guest vocalist.

Web: This show is still somewhat secret. Check the Twins Jazz site for updates here: http://www.twinsjazz.com/performances.htm

Go if: You get jazz – this one is less for the "Oh jazz - what's that?" type and more for the "check out those dissonant chords!" type.

Sat 1/9 @ 8PM – Chopteeth Afrofunk Big Band @ the Rock and Roll Hotel ($15) - Chopteeth is a 14-piece Afrofunk orchestra with lots going on. They do songs that merge African and American style with funky guitars and a horn section and have former members of Busta Rhymes, Toots and the Maytals, The Temptations, The Four Tops, and Gladys Knight & the Pips. I have a live recording of theirs and really like it. Tickets are cheap and this place is right in the heart of town.

Web: http://www.ticketalternative.com/Events/8719.aspx

Go if: You love Jackson Browne, African Music, and all things in between.

Sat 1/16 @ 7:30PM - Eddie from Ohio @ the Birchmere ($35) - These guys do something along the lines of alternative folk music (if that genre even exists) and do it really (really) well. They have phenomenal voices and are fun to watch.This show is a little far off, but tickets will be gone before too long so I thought I'd pass it on.

Web: http://www.ticketmaster.com/search?keyword=Eddie%20From%20Ohio

Go if: You love great harmonies, acoustic stuff, and a wholesome good time.

Happy Chrismahanaquanzika (or Festivus!)