Mon Jul 27
Jeff Weintraub is a D.C.-area jazz vocalist whose interpretations draw not only on the Great American Songbook but also expand conventional understandings of that term to include blues, pop and even American folk tunes from the distant and more recent past. His repertoire includes works ranging from masters such as Richard Rogers, Lorenz Hart, Oscar Hammerstein, the Gershwins, Billy Strayhorn, Hoagy Carmichael and Frank Loesser to the more recent contributors to the American musical treasury such as Paul Simon, Tom Waits, Randy Newman, Harry Nilsson, Richard Thompson, Jimmy Webb and Bob Dylan.
His arrangements and sound reveal an eclectic, musical curiosity that has been described by his audiences as "fresh" and "pleasantly surprising." Jeff’s 2024 album, “In Case You Missed It,” showcases his versatile baritone voice and the talents of Wayne Wilentz, David Jernigan, Leland Nakamura, Matvei Sigalov and Jack Gruber, a representative sampling of his collaborations with leading jazz musicians.
Jeff has performed for many years in Washington-area music venues such as Mr. Henry’s, Twins Jazz, The Urban Winery, Villain & Saint and the Black Fox Lounge. In a very different context, he also sings Jewish liturgical music.
Joining him at Blues Alley will be some of the most in-demand and busiest musicians in the D.C. area and beyond: Benjie Porecki on keyboards, Paul Langosch on bass, Francis Thompson on drums and Bruce Swaim on saxophone.
Benjie is celebrated for his mastery of the B-3 organ, piano, and guitar, blending jazz, blues, funk, country, reggae, and R&B. He has released six acclaimed solo albums and collaborated with artists such as Carlos Santana, Chaka Khan, and Patti LaBelle. His most recent albums, “All that Matters,” and “Faster Than We Know,” have drawn critical acclaim and performed well on national jazz charts.
Paul has played throughout his career with many jazz greats, most notably Tony Bennett, with whom he toured and recorded regularly for more than 20 years. His credits also include engagements with Phil Woods, Tal Farlow, Al Cohn, Mose Allison, Zoot Sims, Barney Kessel and Herb Ellis, Mose Allison, Johnny Hartman, Bud Shank, John Hendricks, George Shearing, Rosemary Clooney, Mel Torme, Susanna McCorkle and Conte Candoli.
Francis, who directs the percussion program at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, has recorded and performed for years in the D.C. area with saxophonist Davey Yarburough, vocalist Esther Williams, pianist Dan Reynolds, vocalist Pam Parker and the Latin jazz group Caribe Son and South African group Mahala.
Swaim, who has won two Wammy Awards for Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year from the Washington Area Music Association’s, also performed at BET, The Millennium Stage at The Kennedy Center, Blues Alley, Wolf Trap, DAR Constitution Hall, Strathmore, The Ramshead, The National Gallery of Art and The White House, among many others.