Internationally-known tenor saxophonist, flutist and educator Gary Thomas brings his dynamic sound to Bohemian Caverns for two nights.

                                              Get there early - seating is limited.

In addition to 11 recording dates as a leader, his work on more than 80 recordings as a featured sideman reflects his status as one of the most coveted saxophonists on the jazz scene today. Two of his recordings as a leader, By Any Means Necessary and While the Gate Is Open, were named best recordings of the 1990s by Downbeat Magazine.

Tenor saxophonist Gary Thomas is the Chair of the Jazz Studies Department and Faculty member at the Peabody Institute, John Hopkins University, and a native of Baltimore, MD.  Internationally-known, Thomas has traveled the globe as a leader and a side-man.

Thomas has performed and/or recorded with the likes of Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Jack DeJohnette, John McLaughlin, Pat Metheny, Terri Lyne Carrington, Dave Holland, Ron Carter, Wynton Marsalis, David Sanborn, Kenny Garrett, Tony Williams and a host of other stellar musicians. In addition he has 11 recording dates as a leader and has appeared on more than 80 recordings as a featured sideman.

He was commissioned by Baltimore Magazine to compose and record a suite of music representing a collection of more than fifty works of art featured in the September 2005 issue. The most recent highlights of Gary's activities would include his tenure with the British guitarist, John McLaughlin from 1997 to 1999 and his status as a member of the Herbie Hancock Quartet since 2002.

Bohemian Caverns began its rich history of showcasing Jazz on U Street in 1926. The original venue, known as Club Caverns, consisted of the basement level only, operated from 1926 until 1942. In 1943 Cab Calloway purchased the venue and operated under the name of The Crystal Caverns until 1958. In 1959 Tony Taylor and Angelo Alvino renamed the venue Bohemian Caverns and operated it until 1968.

The Caverns derived its name from the unique cave-like décor, faux stalactites and stalagmites that adorned the walls and ceilings of the club. Designed after a Hollywood set, The Caverns catered to the elite of its day and attracted an endless array of top Jazz performers such as Shirley Horn, Duke Ellington, Pearl Bailey, Miles Davis, Aretha Franklin, Ramsey Lewis, Less McCann, The Supremes, Roberta Flak, John Coltrane and Eric Dolphy, JFK Quintet, Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Taylor, Dizzy Gillespie and Billy Holiday. The club's unique décor coupled with its dynamic artist line-up made it THE fashionable place to see and be seen.

During the roaring 20's and throughout the late 60's The Caverns and the U Street corridor served as the epicenter of Black nightlife in Washington, DC. The Caverns served for many decades as a central business along the bustling U Street Corridor that included several large theaters, restaurants, after-hours clubs and private jazz societies. It was one of the few places in Washington, DC where blacks and whites came together as equals to equally share their love of jazz. During de-segregation, many U Street businesses began to decline as expanded social, shopping, residential and entertainment opportunities became available for Blacks beyond the U Street corridor. After the riots of 1968, Bohemian Caverns experienced several decades of decaying vacancy until it was purchased by Al Afshar in 1997. During the three year renovation particular attention to detail was used to ensure the original design was maintained.

On Jul 6, 2000, Bohemian Caverns opened its doors to the public with a Grand Gala Reception. The event celebrated both the rich history of The Caverns and marked the first of numerous new business and residential construction projects along the U Street corridor. The current structure is an expanded, state-of-the-art facility consisting of the elegantly adorned Bohemian Caverns Restaurant (main level), The Caverns Jazz Lounge (basement level) and Club 2001 Nightclub (2nd and 3rd levels). Weekly events include live jazz performances, happy hour events, dance parties and other social events. In addition, the facility caters various special events such as weddings, fund-raisers, birthday parties and other celebrations ranging in size from parties of two to as many as 1,000 guests.