Community Calendar

“Ms. Sutton is a pure jazz spirit who respects a song. Even when going out on an improvisatory limb, she never lets its essence slip away.” — The New York Times

9-time GRAMMY® Nominated jazz vocalist Tierney Sutton has received a “Best Jazz Vocal Album” Grammy nod for every project she has released in the last decade. Known for her impeccable voice and imaginative treatments of The Great American Songbook, Sutton is heralded for her abilities as both a jazz storyteller and her ability to use her voice as an instrument.

Since 1993 Sutton has fronted GRAMMY® Nominated “Tierney Sutton Band” which features instrumental virtuosos Christian Jacob, Trey Henry, Kevin Axt and Ray Brinker. On stage the band exhibits an “almost unearthly” connection, a tribute to having the same world-class personnel for over 20 years—a virtually unheard-of accomplishment in today’s music business.

At 19, Lenny White played with Jackie McLean, recorded Bitches Brew with Miles Davis, and Red Clay with Freddie Hubbard. Lenny is one of the founding fathers of the jazz-rock movement and is a four-time GRAMMY® Award winner. Lenny White earned a worldwide reputation as the drummer with Return to Forever and has played and collaborated with artists such as Joe Henderson, Gato Barbieri Gil Evans, Stan Getz, Jaco Pastorius, Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana, and Chaka Khan.

Keystone Kards are not applicable for this show.

Langston Hughes II [saxophone]
Robert Papachica [guitar]
Lonell Johnson [piano]
Eytan Schillinger-Hyman [bass]
Devron Dennis [drums]

Saxophonist, Langston Hughes II is a Washington D.C based multi-instrumentalist, composer, and bandleader creating inspirational original compositions and reimaginings of classic songs. Langston’s years of experience and growing technical and creative skills have created a distinctive sound that emanates beauty, passion, and positivity. He views his concept and approach as more than a genre, but a translation of his life experiences. Langston channels his upbringing in gospel music from artists like Mahalia Jackson, John P. Kee, Sam Cooke, and Richard Smallwood with his love and passion for the jazz tradition to create a distinctive, dynamic sound and style.

Langston was a 2022 Strathmore Artist in Residence and is currently a student at Howard University in Washington, DC studying under the tutelage of Charlie Young III, and continues to develop his skills, knowledge, and creative thinking through teachers and mentors such as Cyrus Chestnut, Allyn Johnson, Bruce Williams, Tim Green, and others.

In an unorthodox move in the digital age, the multi-faceted musician Wax (singer/rapper/songwriter/guitarist) will be releasing his new album on VINYL ONLY. The album, Lifetime Achievement Award, was imagined as a vinyl release from its initial conception. The sonic palette consists of all analog instrumentation, produced entirely by Kush Mody (producer, composer, and half of pop duo "Feed the Biirds"). Wax and Kush collectively handled the arrangements and majority of the instruments.

In the soundscape of the album, one can hear influences of analog classics like Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon as well as modern vintage works like D'Angelo's Voodoo. In the writing, we find an introspective Wax reflecting deeply on his life as an artist. The album opens with the title track, Lifetime Achievement Award, which sets the tone of the project. Wax questions the absurdity of celebrating our achievements, pondering placing his gold records and awards in his casket when he dies so that God will know how special he was in life. This theme comes up several times later on the album, along with more introspection about love and loss. That said, Wax still finds time to throw some silliness/happiness into the LP, with tracks like "It's You" and "Coast" providing some fun along the way. Perhaps the highlight of the album are the final three tracks, which are a three-part journey through a breakup, the heartbreak that follows, and the ensuing gradual recovery. The final track, Don't Give a Damn No More, is a celebratory 1970s style acoustic pop romp that provides the listener with joyous closure. All in all, the result is a cohesive collection that is best enjoyed in full, on a record player.

Wax has been on a journey in the music industry for years. From viral videos, to signing to Def Jam, to a number one song in Europe, he has not stopped recording and releasing music. With “Lifetime Achievement Award” he examines his journey through life and the music industry with a maturity and sense of insight that can only be attained through years of trial, error, triumph, and failure. While he may never win his lifetime achievement award, Wax can rest easy knowing his fans will recognize this album as a great achievement in itself.

Jeanette Harris is the scintillating saxtress of smooth jazz. Jeanette’s energetic and captivating performances matched with uplifting and inspiring vibrations in the music are her solid platinum recipe for success. Fans already recognize her for her wonderful cover of Stevie Wonder’s “All I Do,” which hit Billboard’s smooth jazz singles chart from her previous album, Saxified. Classically trained in both sax and piano, a graduate of Boston’s famed Berklee College of Music, and the saxophonist for the late, great Teena Marie’s final year of touring, Jeanette has weathered the fiercest challenges to bring the world her own brand of soulful healing vibes.

Jeanette has performed as a side musician with Howard Hewett and Deniece Williams and has opened shows for greats ranging from smooth jazz stars Kirk Whalum, Najee and The Rippingtons to R&B stars Babyface, Phil Perry and KEM. Jeanette Harris is unquestionably the next “Starchild of the Saxophone” touching hearts with every breath she takes.

Celebrate National Dog Day at The Rotunda!
The Rotunda Partners with Maryland SPCA to Host Family-Friendly event on August 23rd
Join the Rotunda and the Maryland SPCA to celebrate National Dog Day on Saturday, August 23rd, 2025, from 11am to 3pm. Bring along furry friends and enjoy a fun-filled day featuring live music, food vendors, drinks, pet games, local pet vendors, activities, pet photos, a Flea-less Market yard sale, pet portraits, adoptable dogs, and more! Contests such as Best Smile, Longest Tongue, Cutest Butt, Best Trick, Best Dressed and Best Strut will be judged by local celebrities with prizes for category winners. This event is FREE to attend and features a special PAWS-Port program, offering dogs multiple activities hosted by the Maryland SPCA (Bobbing for Hot Dogs, Paw Painting and ornament painting, DIY tie-dyed bandanas, make a pet Toy and spa day). PAWS-Ports will be sold at the door for $10 with all ticket proceeds benefiting the Maryland SPCA.

NEA Jazz Master and four-time Grammy Award Winner Stanley Clarke has attained “living legend” status during his over 50-year career as a bass virtuoso. He is the first bassist in history who doubles on acoustic and electric bass with equal ferocity and the first jazz-fusion bassist ever to headline tours, selling out shows worldwide. A veteran of over 40 albums who's played with the likes of Horace Silver, Art Blakey and Stan Getz, he won the 2011 Best Contemporary Jazz Album Grammy Award for The Stanley Clarke Band. Clarke co-founded the seminal fusion group Return to Forever with Chick Corea and Lenny White. In 2012, Return to Forever won a Grammy Award and Latin Grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Forever.

Keystone Kards are not applicable for this show.

NEA Jazz Master and four-time Grammy Award Winner Stanley Clarke has attained “living legend” status during his over 50-year career as a bass virtuoso. He is the first bassist in history who doubles on acoustic and electric bass with equal ferocity and the first jazz-fusion bassist ever to headline tours, selling out shows worldwide. A veteran of over 40 albums who's played with the likes of Horace Silver, Art Blakey and Stan Getz, he won the 2011 Best Contemporary Jazz Album Grammy Award for The Stanley Clarke Band. Clarke co-founded the seminal fusion group Return to Forever with Chick Corea and Lenny White. In 2012, Return to Forever won a Grammy Award and Latin Grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Forever.

Keystone Kards are not applicable for this show.

Obasi Akoto and prominent members of the Greater Baltimore & Washington, D.C. Jazz Community will lead us in world-class performances almost every Tuesday, 7-10pm. Surround yourself with great company, soul lifting music, and wonderful food! Click HERE to read our Bright Moments Jam Session Newsletter, written by Obasi Akoto every week.

"A jazz renaissance is happening right here and right now at Keystone Korner." - Obasi Akoto

Free admission, unless otherwise indicated. Reservations are required. Two item food & beverage minimum.

Baltimore's Lafayette Gilchrist is a jazz pianist, but when his powerhouse funk/jazz band the New Volcanoes backs him up, listeners also get something different: a go-go beat. Gilchrist describes go-go, a style native to Washington, D.C., and its environs, as "almost like a slowed-down James Brown, but you have a combination of African rhythms." Blended with his jazz piano playing, that's the sound of Gilchrist's latest album, New Urban World Blues, released this May. Lafayette is not only a penetrating and sensitive artist, but also a composer who does not shy away from the influences of the greatest artists who inspire him to look for stylistic references.

SHOW DATES & TIMES
August, 29: 6-7:30pm & 9-10:30pm
August, 30: 6-7:30pm & 9-10:30pm

Syleena Johnson Celebrates The 20th Anniversary of "Chapter 3: The Flesh" Album!

GRAMMY-nominated R&B/soul songstress Syleena Johnson was destined to touch people and impact lives. Her sultry voice, combined with her timeless beauty, classic style, and piercing delivery has made her a fan-favorite for nearly twenty years. Songs that led her to critical acclaim as an exceptional new voice on the R&B scene include “I Am Your Woman,” “Guess What,” “Hit On Me,” “Slowly,” “Tonight I’m Gonna Let Go,” and “All Falls Down” with Kanye West. Syleena has worked with artists such as R. Kelly, Kanye West, Fabolous, DMX, Leela James, Twista, Busta Rhymes, Musiq Soulchild, Tweet and many others.

Keystone Kards are not applicable for this show.