Joshua Bayer Jazz

For a free evening of jazz in a setting that rarely disappoints, Joshua Bayer’s Millennium Stage performance is an easy one to add to the calendar. Bayer stays rooted in straight-ahead jazz, drawing from the traditions of pre-bop and post-bop while exploring the musicians and styles that shaped the form, from Count Basie and Duke Ellington to Charlie Parker and Miles Davis. The appeal is hearing a thoughtful take on jazz history without the formality of a traditional concert hall night out. As part of the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage series, the performance continues a long-running tradition of bringing live music to audiences in an open, welcoming setting. For anyone looking to spend an evening with classic jazz language and fresh interpretation, this is a worthwhile stop for a dose of carefully crafted musicianship in the heart of the city.