Mon Jan 5
James Bazen Big Band - Recording Release - Emerging Artist Mondays
7PM / $25 | $7 Fees Get Tickets
James Bazen
James Bazen Big Band album release party for "Undertones". Big band jazz.
The James Bazen Big Band is an exciting 18-piece ensemble that features some of Washington, DC’s best musicians performing a wide range of jazz from the repertoires of Count Basie, Thad Jones, Oliver Nelson, Gordon Goodwin and Rob McConnell as well as originals.
JBBB has been together since 1990 when they started their weekly Wednesday night gig at a local pizza joint, giving them the affectionate moniker The Wednesday Night Pizza Band.
Since those early days The Pizza Band has performed for many prominent organizations and establishments including Blues Alley, Bethesda Blues and Jazz (now Bethesda Theater), Taste of Bethesda, Shenandoah Valley Music Festival, and the Alexandria Memorial Day Jazz Festival.
JBBB has released 3 recordings over the years: Tonight He’s Mine, The Wednesday Night Pizza Band, Merry Christmas Take One.
A fourth recording, Undertones, which features all original arrangements by James Bazen, dropped on 10/10/25 and will be featured here on 1/5/26.
Christmasreviews.com said: “The James Bazen Big Band presents stylish and enthusiastic holiday music on Merry Christmas Take One. This is a very enjoyable jazz CD... the big band instrumentals steal the show with their intense musicianship and unerring swing sensibilities....”
JBBB has also been favorably reviewed in major jazz magazines such as Cadence and Jazz Connection, the official publication of the World Jazz Network.
7PM / $25 | $7 Fees Get Tickets
1. Final sale, no refunds, not transferable.
2. $15 food/beverage minimum per person not included in ticket price.
3. Seating first come at the door. Doors open 6 PM & 8:45 PM respectively Monday thru Saturday, and 4:30 PM & 7:15 PM Sundays.
4. No Photography or Recording of any kind during the performance.
5. Keep conversation to a minimum during the performance.