Arts & Entertainment
Around Town: Buster Williams and Band Jam at Blues Alley
If you think the heart of DC jazz is only on U Street, then you haven't been to Blues Alley. Since opening in 1955, the club has established itself as one of the nation's top jazz spots.
At cozy tables in the dim light of Blues Alley just inches from stage, listeners sat with eyes closed, toes tapping and heads bobbing to the low, rich tones of bass, hypnotically rhythmic drums, melodic piano, and velvety smooth notes of the saxophone.
If you don't have plans for this weekend, or even if you do, tonight is the final night of Buster Williams and his band's back to back shows at Blues Alley that are a must see for anyone who appreciates excellent music--especially jazz.
“I was in DC for three days, and I knew this show was one of the things I had to do," said Nich Frilich who attended the show Friday night. "Looking at the rosters there was no competition. These musicians are amazing.”
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After spending decades playing with jazz greats such as Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Nancy Wilson, Williams stepped from sideman to frontman in 1990 and formed his own band.
Accompanied by Grammy nominated pianist Patrice Rushen, who has directed and composed music for HBO, Janet Jackson's World Tour, the Grammy Awards and countless other shows and artists; drummer Cindy Blackman-Santana, who has released several albums, toured with Lenny Kravitz and performed with greats such as Pharoah Sanders; and saxophonist Steve Wilson, who has several albums and decades of experience playing with artists like Chick Corea and Dave Holland, Williams has an all star cast of musicians that give an incredible show.
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"We don't spend too much time rehearsing," said Williams. "Each night takes a different shape. You bring to the bandstand where you are at that moment...a lot of it is innate, the key is listening."
With just over 100 seats, Blues Alley is a perfect space for listening. "It's refreshing," said Blackman-Santana reflecting on the difference between playing on main stages to thousands of fans and playing in smaller clubs. "With bigger stages the crowd brings so much energy, but here, you're so close to the audience that it's really intimate. You can you really feel and hear the subtleties."
The band's four-night stint at Blues Alley wraps tonight, with the final shows starting at 8pm and 10pm. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the door or online.
