DC Jazz Clubs

[Tulane Skins Fan]

I never realized DC had so many Jazz clubs on U street, and I was hoping to check one out sometime soon, maybe this weekend.

Can anyone recommend a good one? Utopia looked like a good place to get a bite, chill, and listen to music, but that's all I really saw.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Blackest Eyes]

Blues Alley is always good. Food is pretty good as well.

[chiefhogskin48]

Bohemian Caverns, HR-57, ditto to Utopia and Blues Alley. Also during the summer, the National Sculpture Garden has live jazz (as well as wine and other beverages).

[ttr77]

I have an older document on my computer of a write-up from washingtonpost.com. (sorry, no link). Not sure how current it is, or if the clubs are still even open, but it's pretty informative...

JOJO

You don't have to be inside at JoJo to absorb the jazz scene. The house band performs with its back to the big front window of this small bar and restaurant, so passersby on the street can enjoy the music without entering. But there are lots of good reasons to go inside, including a friendly staff and often stellar music. There's live jazz from 9:30 p.m. until 1 a.m. every night except Mondays and Fridays. Thursdays are particularly promising, with the Thad Wilson group holding down a regular slot. No cover. JoJo Restaurant and Bar, 1518 U St. NW. 202-319-9350. http://www.jojoresandbar.com/ .

U-TOPIA

"U Street has always been known for jazz and we had a lot of demand for it," says manager Hasnaa Farouidi, explaining why U-Topia was among the first venues on the revitalized street to schedule live jazz. The trendy, multi-culti room has a restaurant attached, but the music takes place in the bar itself. This is not for souls looking for a quiet, reflective experience: The bar tends to be busy and lively, with the music serving more as background ambiance. The club has jazz every night of the week, with Thursdays dedicated to Brazilian jazz. On Sunday through Thursday, the music goes from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. On Friday and Saturday, music starts at 11 p.m. and goes until 2:30 a.m. No cover. U-Topia, 1418 U St. NW. 202-483-7669. http://www.utopiaindc.com/ .

HR-57

Just a few blocks off of U Street, HR-57 Center for the Preservation of Jazz and Blues is far more than your ordinary jazz venue. Named for the resolution passed by Congress in 1987 that designated jazz as "a rare and valuable national American treasure," HR-57 is actually a community nonprofit membership organization that offers workshops and music classes, lectures and even screenings of classic jazz films. But with its exposed brick walls, small tables and dim lighting -- not to mention the historical knowledge of members such as longtime regular Joe Jones and the center's directors Tony and Denice Puesan -- it has the feel of a classic jazz place.

In the back room, closest to the stage, patrons are expected to treat the music with respect and not talk over it. Fans who want to stand around and chat are asked to do so in the front room. HR-57 also has a very limited menu, and beer and wine are available at the counter. Unlike at other jazz clubs, however, patrons are allowed to bring their own beer, wine and liquor with them -- but you have to pay a $3 corkage fee. Jam sessions are Wednesday and Thursday from 8 p.m. to midnight. Scheduled performances are Friday and Saturday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Cover is $8 on Wednesday and Thursday; $10 on Friday and Saturday. (Members pay less; anyone can join for a fee on the Web site.) HR-57, 1610 14th St. NW 202-667-3700. http://www.hr57.org/ .

TWINS JAZZ

With the exception of Blues Alley in Georgetown, Twins is perhaps Washington's best-known jazz club and certainly one of the most respected by the local jazz cognoscenti. Twins Kelly and Maze Tesfaye (hence the club's name) opened their original location, Twins Lounge, on Colorado Avenue NW in 1987. Twins Jazz, the U Street second-story venue that opened in 2001, is their second club for serious jazz fans. "You have the right to remain silent during performances" warns a small sign at the top of the stairs, a message appreciated by performers and jazz devotees alike.

Kelly Tesfaye, who runs the club on U, was never a big jazz fan until she and her sister opened Twins as an Ethiopian, Caribbean and American restaurant. Soon jazz musicians pushed the sisters to schedule live jazz and everything changed. "I became addicted to jazz," she says. "The musicians introduced us to jazz and now we want to keep the music going on." And that they do with a solid mix of local and national acts performing in the long, narrow room six nights a week. Live jazz sets begin Tuesday through Thursday at 8 p.m.; on Friday and Saturday at 9 and 11 p.m. On Sunday, the club hosts a jam session beginning at 8 p.m. Prices vary from $10 to $30. Twins Jazz, 1344 U St. NW. 202-234-0072. http://www.twinsjazz.com/ .

CAFE NEMA

A few steps down from street level, Cafe Nema is another cozy U Street gem and has jazz most Thursday and Friday nights. Owner Ibrahim Aden greets visitors with a warm smile, and his obvious passion for jazz is infectious. Years ago he was talked into having live music by jazz students at nearby Howard University who were looking for a venue where they could perform. Aden quickly became as enthusiastic about the music as they were. He says he received a special thrill just a few weeks ago when jazz trombonist Branford Marsalis stopped by and jammed with some musician friends, the Young Lions, who play at the club regularly. Live jazz is offered Thursday and Friday beginning Feb. 3 from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. No cover. Cafe Nema, 1334 U St. NW. 202-667-3215. http://www.cafenema.com/ .

SALA THAI

Though it doesn't look like a particularly jazzy sort of place, this popular Thai restaurant has live jazz during dinner three nights a week. The lineup changes each night, but the usual trios that perform stick to straightforward jazz -- a perfect accompaniment to drunken noodles or pad Thai. Live jazz is offered Thursday through Saturday from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. No cover. Sala Thai, 1301 U St. NW. 202-462-1333. http://www.salathaidc.com/ .

ALERO

"Jazz is definitely part of the life of the neighborhood and so we went with Latin jazz because that is the culture of our restaurant," says Carlos Rodriguez, general manager of Alero's U Street location. Situated directly under the neon Ellington sign at 13th and U, Alero is a lively restaurant that adds vibrant jazz to the mix when pianist Benito Gonzalez leads a trio on Wednesdays from 8 p.m. until midnight. No cover. Alero, 1301 U St. NW. 202-462-2322. http://www.alerorestaurant.com/ .

THE ISLANDER

The reemergence of jazz on U Street owes much to this favorite area Caribbean restaurant that began booking shows in 1997. "People thought I was crazy opening on U Street," says owner Addie Green. "There wasn't anything down here then but Ben's [Chili Bowl]." Live jazz at the Islander is a "real production," says her son Brian Green, who books and presents the acts. "People get dressed up. It's a big night out." The Islander doesn't have live jazz in January, but beginning Feb. 11, the shows are every Saturday and Sunday from 6 to 10 p.m. No cover. Islander Caribbean Restaurant and Lounge, 1201 U St. NW. 202-234-4971.

DUKE'S CITY

A stylish new addition to U Street that is named for Duke Ellington, this bright, hip restaurant introduced live jazz to its lineup just six months after opening in late 2004. Management is also considering adding New Orleans-flavored jazz to an upstairs room later this year. Duke's presents live jazz on Friday and Saturday from 9 p.m. until midnight. No cover. Duke's City Restaurant and Lounge, 1208 U St. NW. 202-986-9400. http://www.dukescity.com/ .

BOHEMIAN CAVERNS

One of the stranger-looking jazz clubs on U Street -- or anywhere, for that matter -- Bohemian Caverns feels like a venue right out of "The Flintstones." Renovated and reopened in 2000, the historic basement club looks like the inside of a cave, complete with textured walls, faux stalactites and tree trunks serving as tables -- all of which re-create the look of the original club. Though it was shuttered for many years, the Caverns dates back to the 1920s (it was originally called Club Caverns and, later, Crystal Caverns), and performers in the last century included John Coltrane, Pearl Bailey, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong and, of course, Ellington.

Big names no longer perform at the venue on any kind of regular basis, but there is still plenty of jazz to be had. On Wednesday, there is open mike poetry and jazz beginning at 8 p.m. Thursday has jazz and blues from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.. Friday and Saturday, there's live jazz from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. $5 cover on Wednesday and Thursday; $15 on Friday and Saturday. Bohemian Caverns, 2001 11th St. NW. 202-299-0800. http://www.bohemiancaverns.com/.

[kevinklein]

I had a gig at Twins Jazz last semester at one point. Check it out. It's real nice.

[Thanos]

I never realized DC had so many Jazz clubs on U street, and I was hoping to check one out sometime soon, maybe this weekend.

Can anyone recommend a good one? Utopia looked like a good place to get a bite, chill, and listen to music, but that's all I really saw.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

Blues Alley is the best because it usually brings in national/international acts.But its pricey and very small.

[Rocky21]

I haven't been to Bohemian Caverns but the HISTORY is amazing.

These folks all played there: Shirley Horne, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Billie Holliday, Pearl Bailey, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Cab Calloway, Count Basie, Thelonious Monk...

That's unbelievable.

[Tulane Skins Fan]

I haven't been to Bohemian Caverns but the HISTORY is amazing.

These folks all played there: Shirley Horne, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Billie Holliday, Pearl Bailey, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Cab Calloway, Count Basie, Thelonious Monk...

That's unbelievable.

That is pretty amazing, indeed. Its too bad the site says no more big names go through there...

I think the biggest name I've seen in person is probably Kermit Ruffins. Not sure how big a name he really is nationally or internationally, but very big in Nawlins.

Also, I did see Fats Domino, but that was Jazzfest... not really the same thing.

[Burgold]

I like HR-57, haven't really been there since the renovations, but it had a nice sort of intimate, dingy feel.

[Thanos]

I haven't been to Bohemian Caverns but the HISTORY is amazing.

These folks all played there: Shirley Horne, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Billie Holliday, Pearl Bailey, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Cab Calloway, Count Basie, Thelonious Monk...

That's unbelievable.

That's the old BC.My father saw them all.Also you should read the history of the Howard Theater.