Saxophonist Antoine Roney takes the stage at Bohemian Caverns for two nights. 

Antoine Roney is one of the most unique musicians of his generation. In his music exists a high level of creativity from which he strives to break sociopolitical, spiritual and metaphysical ground. His saxophone playing is beautifully abstract without trading in tradition.

Born April 1st, 1963, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Antoine Roney was raised in a highly musical family; his grandfather, who played several instruments professionally, was a member of the Frankie Fairfax band. His brother is trumpeter Wallace Roney.

Roney began on the clarinet, then studied the alto and tenor saxophones with Jackie McLean at the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford. His early professional engagements included work with McLean, Donald Byrd and Clifford Jordan. Mr. Roney has since performed with Geri Allen, Eric Allen, Ralphe Armstrong, Darren Barret, Steve Berrios, Cindy Blackman, Michael Brecker, Donald Brown, Dwayne Burno, Michael Carvin, Chick Corea, Santi Debriano, Ricky Ford, Al Foster, Aaron Goldberg, Louis Hayes, Carlton Holmes, Adam Holzman, James Hurt, Robert Irving, Elvin Jones, Steve Kirby, Eric Lewis, Ronnie Matthews, Carlos McKinney, Sarah Morrow, Ugonna Okegwo, Kazi Oliver, Houston Person, Claudio Roditi, Wallace Roney, Pharoah Sanders, Jaz Sawyer, Clarence Seay, Gino Sitson, James Spaulding, Tricia Tahara, Jacky Terrasson, Nasheet Waits, Peter Washington, Doug Weiss, Lenny White, Buster Williams, and David Williams. 

He released his first album, The Traveler, in 1992. After a few years of extensive touring, Roney issued his sophomore recording, Whirling, in 1996.

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.