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Kenny Rittenhouse Quintet
Fri., Jun. 08 & Sat., Jun. 09
9pm & 11pm sets
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With Sam Prather-piano, Cheyney Thomas-bass, Reginald Cyntje-trombone (June 8), Carroll Dashiell III-drums (June 8), Lyle Link-tenor (June 9), JC Jefferson, Jr-drums (June 9)
Local trumpeter Kenny Rittenhouse has a straightahead, hard-bop approach, but always produces a probing, thoughtful sound-almost like a flugelhorn-that distinguishes him in the U.S. Army Blues, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, and his own trios, quartets, and quintets that gig around town. Those pretty notes, to paraphrase Louis Armstrong, go right through you. Rittenhouse is a professor of Jazz Trumpet at George Mason University, and a member of many revered ensembles. Rittenhouse completed his undergraduate degree at West Virginia Wesleyan College, and has since completed post graduate work at the Eastman School of Music, Duquesne University, and the University of Maryland. Rittenhouse has taught clinics with Jamey Aebersold, and he has played with artists such as James King, Steve Gadd, Ahmad Jamal, and Dr. Bill Taylor. Kenny Rittenhouse performing "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes" w/ Kenny Rittenhouse Septet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtRrO9ySNSU
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 Double Vision with Special Guest Aaron Walker
Fri., Jun. 15 & Sat., Jun. 16
9pm & 11pm sets
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Thad Wilson(trumpet), John Williams III (trumpet), Michael Bowie (bass), Allyn Johnson (Piano) ,Aaron Walker (Drums)
Thad Wilson is known for leading the "most adventurous bands around," according to The Washington Post. He has been a fixture on the vibrant Washington, DC jazz scene. While composing and arranging for over twenty years and playing the trumpet for thirty, Thad's energetic and engaging approach unearths memories of Louis Armstrong. However, his music always reflects a personal style that blends progressive elements such as Blues, Funk, Gospel and a touch of Hip-Hop. Throughout his explorations, he has transcended limitations while still maintaining his unique, unmistakable sound. Thad's eclectic ideas as a modern composer are brought to life through his various projects: The Thad Wilson Quintet, Inner Urge, a collaborative project; Kindred Soul, his electric group; Kako Se, an acoustic duo, Ugetzu, a 10-piece Jazz Orchestra and the Thad Wilson Jazz Orchestra, his 16-piece big band.
The Thad Wilson Jazz Orchestra became the only big band in the DC area to land a permanent residence at the esteemed One Step Down.This year marks the 11th anniversary of the Thad Wilson Jazz Orchestra.
Ever attentive to timing and mood, few are as in touch with the nuances of Jazz as Thad Wilson. To hear him is to know that he's one with his trumpet and it is an extension of his very voice. He composes equally well for all of the instruments in his bands, allowing for each musician's touch, reminiscent of Duke Ellington. "It's all about the dialogue" he'll tell you.
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 Nordic Jazz Fest 2012
Fri., Jun. 22 - Sat., Jun. 30
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Twins Jazz hosts the 2012 Nordic Jazz Festival June 22- June 30 featuring some the hottest bands from Sweden, Iceland, Norway, & Denmark. Learn more at http://www.norway.org/News_and_events/Culture/Music/Nordic-Jazz-2012/ .
Fri., Jun. 22 9pm & 11pm
The Scandinavian improv scene has produced some of the finest, most mind-blowing talents in modern jazz, and in IPA Washington DC gets a great chance to see players from the cream of the new crop of groups such as Atomic, The Thing, and Motif. With two critically acclaimed albums and extensive touring under their belts, this fantastic, energetic, and melodic group features Norwegians Atle Nymo (Chick Corea, Pat Metheny) on sax/bass clarinet, double bassist Ingebrigt Håker Flaten (Evan Parker, The Thing), drummer Håkon Mjåset Johansen (Jan Garbarek, Håvard Wiik), and the great Swedish trumpeter Magnus Broo (Atomic).
Soren Moller Group, Denmark
Sat., Jun. 23 9pm & 11pm
This years Nordic Jazz at Twins Jazz Club are up for a special treat when Danish pianist Soren Moller premieres his international group in Washington DC. The Soren Moller Group includes ac- claimed musicians such as American drummer Damion Reid, Norwegian guitarist Lage Lund and Canadian bass player Zack Lober in a performance of international jazz based on a variety of in- fluences from Jazz to Indie Rock and American classical Minimalism.
Goran Kajfes Subtropic Arkestra, Sweden
Sun., Jun. 24 8pm & 10pm
Goran Kajfes Trumpet, Per "Ruskträsk" Johansson Baritone sax and flute, Jonas Kullhammar Tenor sax and flute, Jesper Nordenström Organ, Andreas Söderström Guitar, Johan Berthling Bass, Johan Holmegard Drums
Visionary Trumpeter and Musical director Goran Kajfes third album X/Y is out. "House in a deluxe hardback book with visuals by contemporary Scandinavian artists attached to each track, even the packaging is as inspired and arresting as the album itself" ." Rock-a-Rolla Magazine
Thur., Jun. 28 8pm & 10pmHåkon Kornstad has established himself on the international jazz scene with a warm, haunting saxophone sound that is recognizable from the first second you hear it. "Symphonies in my head" is all about Kornstad's process as an improvising solo saxophonist: he brings the horns and his vintage loop machine to a room with a nice reverb, then he records his characteristic, groovy improvisations - creating layered sounds with saxophones, flutes and his flutonette. Though they may sound composed, these tracks are free improvisations that were created that very day in February 2011. Just like his critically acclaimed album "Dwell Time" (2009), "Symphonies in my head" was recorded in the Sofienberg church in Oslo. In addition to his solo project, he is also known for his duo collaborations with bassist Ingebrigt Håker Flaten (the "Elise" project), pianist Håvard Wiik and singer Sidsel Endresen, as well as his groups "Wibutee" and "Kornstad Trio".
Fri., Jun. 29 9pm & 11pm
Jae Sinnett - Drums, Bjorn Thoroddsen - Guitar, Jimmy Masters - Bass
Bjorn has been one of Iceland's leading Jazz guitarist for many years. He has released a number of critically acclaimed albums and has won several Icelandic Music Awards, including "Jazz Performer of the Year" in 2003. Bjorn performs both as a solo artist and as a member in several bands, including Cold Front and Guitar Islancio. He has collaborated with musicians such as Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Tommy Emmanuel, Nigel Kennedy, James Carter, Philip Catherine and many others. Bjorn also runs the annual Icelandic Guitar Festival, which is televised and has become a big hit in recent years with numerous sold-out shows.
The trio, which is led by Icelandic guitarist Bjorn Thoroddsen, performs a variety of musical styles, anything from Django style to Classic Jazz standards to old school Rock&Roll.
Sat., Jun. 30 8pm & 10pm
Sunna Gunnlaugs piano, Thorgrimur Jonsson bass, Scott McLemore drums
Icelandic pianist Sunna Gunnlaugs, marks her move home with her new
album "Long Pair Bond" after spending over a decade in Brooklyn
playing mostly in quartets with saxophonists like Tony Malaby, Loren
Stillman or Ohad Talmor. Here her disposition is clearly more
Scandinavian. With the trio format comes more space and there is an
overall serenity to the album which, like her homeland, is disturbed
from time to time by unbridled energy bubbling up under the surface.
Concerto in Austria gave them 5 stars, JazzPodium in Germany sais the
album "outstanding" and AllAboutJazz wrote "Gunnlaugs has always been
about musical depth that doesn't sacrifice inherent accessibility."
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Tues., Jun. 05, 12 & 19
8pm & 10pm
Wed., Jun. 06
8pm & 10pm
Thur., Jun. 07
8pm & 10pm
Sun., Jun. 10
8pm & 10pm
Wed., Jun. 13
8pm & 10pm
Thur., Jun. 14
8pm & 10pm
Sun., Jun. 17
8pm & 10pm
Wed., Jun. 20
8pm & 10pm
Thur., Jun. 21
8pm & 10pm
Tue., Jun. 26
8pm & 10pm
Wed., Jun. 27
8pm & 10pm
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