Monday, May 5
KING JAMES & THE SERFS OF SWING
(7 Piece Ensemble)
Dir. Jim Levy
$18.00 & $12.50 minimum; Two shows: 8PM & 10PM

Professor James Levy teaches piano, jazz improvisation, and musicianship and is the pianist in the G.W.U. Faculty Jazz Quintet. The group hosts Jazz Jam sessions every Friday at noon when classes are in session. Prof. Levy started the Jam sessions in the mid-1980s and over the years the guests have included such Jazz luminaries as Tito Puente, Monty Alexander, Andrew White, John Hendricks and the Dave Liebman Quartet. James Levy also directs King James and the Serfs of Swing (aka the GWU Jazz Band), a 12-piece band that plays jazz of the 1930s, with an emphasis on Count Basie and Duke Ellington. The Serfs have performed at many area events, were featured in the convocation in honor of Vaclav Havel, and performed at the Villanova University Jazz Festival.

Tuesday, May 6
LIV WARFIELD
(Soul Vocals)
$20.00 & $12.50 minimum; Two shows: 8PM & 10PM

Liv Warfield is one of the most promising voices in Indie soul music today. Her triumphant debut album, Embrace Me, is a compelling overload, combining warm, seductive vocals and vintage R&B with a funky new-age twist. Her music is a celebration of love and life; a powerful package of brilliant songwriting and flawless harmonizing. But Liv's greatness lies in her simplicity. She still has that demure mid-western charm about herself and a unique vulnerability that paints a picture of a young woman with an old soul full of timeless, liberated melodies.   http://www.livmymusic.com/

Wednesday, May 7
LARRY BROWN TRIO
(Piano)
$18.00 & $12.50 minimum; Two shows: 8PM & 10PM

Washingtonian magazine says, “Larry Brown is a pianist whose rendering of ballads is particularly moving”. Regardless, he has assembled one of the finest straight-ahead jazz quintets in the Washington DC/Baltimore/Mid-Atlantic region. Their latest release, Hard Bop Café (Lush Life Records), has been recognized by the Washington Area Music Association (WAMA) as the Best Jazz Recording for 2006 with a Wammie award. The Quintet, which reprises the hard-bop style of the legendary Blue Note era, was also recognized with a Wammie for Best Jazz Group.  http://www.jazzconnect.com/larrybrown/

Thursday, May 8 - Friday, May 9
NICHOLAS PAYTON
(Trumpet)
$25.00 & $12.50 minimum; Two shows: 8PM & 10PM

A professional musician since age 12, trumpet wizard Nicholas Payton serves up a romantic and sensual feast with a generous helping of straight-ahead fire on his Nonesuch debut, Into The Blue.  From the first notes of the first track, "Drucilla," a musical valentine his father wrote for his mother, Payton leads the listener on a journey showcasing the young trumpeter's lyrical side. 

Saturday, May 10 - Sunday, May 11
FERTILE GROUND
(World Soul)
$25.00 & $12.50 minimum; Two shows: 8PM & 10PM

Although they're considered new artists, Fertile Ground has seven years, countless performances, and dozens of recordings to their credit. After 2 years of extensive touring, writing and recording, the group unveiled their fourth full-length masterpiece, simply entitled Black Is...  Selling more than 125,000 albums , Fertile Ground has created the modern blueprint for independent music sales and become the leader of a movement. With a rebellious freedom and an undaunted genius Fertile Ground's founding leader and keyboardist, James Collins, started Blackout Studios to help get the band's music to listeners the best way possible.  http://www.myspace.com/fertilegroundmusic

Founded in 1965, Blues Alley is the nation's oldest continuing jazz supper club, having showcased internationally renowned concert hall artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, Grover Washington Jr., Ramsey Lewis, Charlie Byrd, Maynard Ferguson and Eva Cassidy in a small intimate setting.

Located in the heart of historic Georgetown in an 18th century red brick carriage house, Blues Alley offers its patrons a unique ambiance, reminiscent of the jazz clubs of the 1920's and 30's. Open seven days a week, Blues Alley specializes in authentic Creole cuisine, steak and seafood dishes (Dinner served from 6:00 pm). Blues Alley has designed several discounted packages available to groups of twelve or more, and can accommodate up to one hundred and twenty five for dinner and show.

Located in Georgetown, on Wisconsin Avenue just south of M Street, NW, almost-hidden in an alley off of Wisconsin Ave. Metered street parking is very tight, but numerous parking lots and garages surround the area; the lots are generally more affordable at $5.00 for the evening.