Jazz@Olney

Saturday, August 20

Victor Provost

Born and raised on the island of St. John, Virgin Islands, Victor Provost is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading voices on the unique, and often misunderstood, steelpan. Through appearances at concert halls, clubs, and stages throughout the world, he has developed a reputation as a “dazzling” soloist, crafting an impressive improvisational voice and style. With a strong foundation in Bebop, a contemporary sensibility, and deep roots in Caribbean music, he seamlessly melds and mixes genres. The Washington D.C. City Paper’s “Jazz Percussionist of the Year” six years in a row, his most recent recording, Bright Eyes, debuted at #5 on the iTunes Top 40 Jazz Charts and was met with praise from The Washington Post, Downbeat Magazine, and Jazz Times.

In case of rain, this event will be moved to the Mainstage.

Saturday, July 9

Imani Grace Cooper

Imani-Grace Cooper is a jazz vocalist with idiom versatility and knowledge from experiences including collegiate studies under the main instruction of 2013 DownBEAT Magazine’s Jazz Education achievement Award recipient, Connaitre Miller. Her enthusiasm for jazz fueled the cultivation of a jazz series at Sankofa Cafe in Washington, D.C., titled Sounds at Sankofa which features a variety of DC jazz legends like Allyn Johnson and Fred Foss. Imani-Grace debuted as a solo artist as the Apollo Theate’'s guest artist during the Annual Harl Jazz Week. Imani-Grace Cooper, as a solo artist and ensemble singer, has shared band stands with Dianne Reeves, Esperanza Spalding, Terri Lyne Carrington, the late George Duke, Al Jarreau, and many more! Imani-Grace services fellow enthusiasts of singing in private voice lessons and can be found singing regularly in Washington, D.C., and surrounding cities.

In case of rain, this event will be moved to the Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab
Rescheduled from Akua Allrich

Saturday, July 16

DO'A

DO’A is a pianist, singer, guitarist, and mathematician. She draws on her multi-cultural heritage and her upbringing in Albania to blend traditions and sounds into music for the soul, one that inspires across cultures and generations.

DO’A began playing and singing early on under the guidance of her mother, a concert pianist. She later taught herself the guitar. DO’A seeks beauty in all forms: she is comfortable as much with abstract algebra as with playing Chopin and singing Bossa Nova. She writes and performs music to share her belief that our common humanity transcends all differences, and that our diversity is our strength.

In case of rain, this event will be moved to the Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab.

Saturday, August 6

Danielle Wertz

Described as, "untarnished by the politics of music" (Jazz Music Archives) and "at home alongside more contemporary exponents of improvising singing" (LoudMouth, AU) DC-area native and artist, 2015 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition semi-finalist and 2017 Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition runner-up, Danielle Wertz has rapidly gained national acclaim. She has both headlined and supported local musicians at Blues Alley, The Smithsonian American Art Museum, Mr. Henry’s, Twins Jazz, Sotto, The DC Jazz Festival, The Mansion at Strathmore, HR-57 Center for the Preservation of Jazz and Blues, The Carlyle Club, The Creative Cauldron and Bethesda Blues and Jazz. She released her debut album to a sold-out room at The Arts Barn in Gaithersburg, co-led a concert with Lena Seikaly celebrating women in jazz at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in conjunction with the “Harlem Heroes” exhibit in 2017, and was featured on another Smithsonian concert performing “Rare and Never Recorded Works of Tadd Dameron.

In case of rain, this event will be moved to the Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab.

Saturday, August 13

James Fernando

Hailed as a “prodigiously gifted composer and virtuoso pianist,” James Fernando creates music that lies at the intersection of jazz, classical, and electronic music. He relies on his genre-expanding original compositions to deliver thought provoking and exciting performances. The Berklee College of Music graduate has several releases to his name, including Extended Layover, The Lonely Sailor, Blackbird/Fly, and The Grind. James is on faculty at Levine Music in Washington, DC and is a Strathmore Artist in Residence.

In case of rain, this will be moved to the Mainstage.