Trumpeter Terence Blanchard will set up shop for four nights at Blues Alley.
(By Charlie Varley -- Sipa Press)
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THURSDAY-JUNE 8 Terence BlanchardBlues Alley, $27.50
This four-night club engagement should allow the New Orleans trumpeter plenty of time to explore his multifaceted repertoire. Chances are Blanchard will move beyond his latest CD, the evocative "A Tale of God's Will (Requiem for Katrina)," to revisit earlier album cuts or the film music he has composed for Spike Lee. Impressive credits aside, Blanchard truly enjoys performing with the tight bands he keeps assembling -- and it shows.
JUNE 6 Manhattan TransferKennedy Center Millennium Stage, free
Budget-conscious? Even the cheap seats at a Manhattan Transfer concert can be pricey, but this is a chance to hear the Grammy-winning vocal quartet for free. Celebrating the Millennium Stage's 11th anniversary, the ensemble will cap the Kennedy Center's a cappella festival, so you can expect a one-of-a-kind performance that embraces pop, jazz and R&B sans accompaniment. One caveat: Word spreads fast, so arrive early. (It's first come, first seated.)
AUG. 4 Return to ForeverMerriweather Post Pavilion, $40-$125
After a 25-year hiatus, RTF is on the road again with a formidable lineup: keyboardist Chick Corea, guitarist Al DiMeola, bassist Stanley Clarke and drummer Lenny White. Before touring, the renowned fusion jazz ensemble was busy rehearsing several signature tracks, including "The Romantic Warrior," "No Mystery" and "Sorceress." By the time the reunion tour reaches Maryland, the set list will probably include a few surprising twists, too.
AUG. 11 Herbie HancockWolf Trap, $25-$75
The jazz pianist-composer's career received an unexpected boost earlier this year when "River: The Joni Letters," his CD tribute to Joni Mitchell, took top honors at the Grammys. No doubt lots of Mitchell fans will turn out to hear him revisit that album in concert with the help of vocalists Sonya Kitchell and Amy Keys. But look for Hancock, bassist Dave Holland, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, saxophonist Chris Potter and guitarist Lionel Loueke to keep things interesting throughout the evening, no matter what the mood or inspiration.
AUG. 16 SMVWolf Trap, $22-$40
Taking a cue from touring jazz and rock guitar triumvirates (think John McLaughlin, Al DiMeola and Paco de Lucia, or Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and Eric Johnson), bass guitar wizards Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten are on the road together for the first time this summer. Clarke will get plenty of time to display his extraordinary chops in electric and acoustic settings, since Miller and Wooten, who grew up listening to him, are still appreciative of his virtuosity. The trio has a new album in the works, but you can bet this surefire funkathon will make room for Clarke's "School Days" and other favorites.
-- Mike Joyce
