Wherever jazzman Roy Ayers performs, great vibes surround him — literally. It only stands to reason, with one of his mentors being the master of the vibraphone, the iconic Lionel Hampton. Therefore, all that Ayers has learned and experienced in a career spanning 50-plus years, he brings to Blues Alley in the finale performances of his current gig at the club.
“Blues Alley is one of the leading jazz clubs in the country, and it’s a pleasure to play there,” said the affable performer, who has been hailed one of the best-known, most loved and respected jazz/R&B artists on the music scene today. “They get great crowds there and they cater to true jazz lovers.”
And Ayers is one true lover of jazz, himself. He attended his first Lionel Hampton concert at the age of 5 and was ecstatic when the great Hampton singled him out from the cheering audience and presented him with a pair of vibe mallets. From that day forward, it was all about the music, and ultimately, he would befriend and work with vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson while studying advanced music theory at Los Angeles City College. These days he is committed to bridge the gap between generations of music lovers, having recently recorded with hip-hop artist Talib Kweli (produced by Kanye West) and jazz/R&B singer Will Downing.
| Onstage |
| Roy Ayers |
| Where: Blues Alley Jazz, Supper Club, 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW |
| When: 8 and 10 p.m. Sunday |
| Info: $40; bluesalley.com; 202-337-4141 |
Ayers bring to Blues Alley a band for which he has the greatest admiration.
“I got Raeford Gaskins on soprano and alto sax,” Ayers said. “He breaks the show wide-open! When I have him perform and take a solo, which he does quite often, then I can catch my breath. I’m 71 years old. I take a breath to rejuvenate myself so I can do the next song!”
Along with Gaskins, Mark Adamson Jr. performs on piano, Donald Nicks on bass, and Bernard Davis at the drums. Finally, John Pressley — “No relation to Elvis,” Ayers said with a hearty laugh — is the singer with the band.
“I’ll play my most popular compositions that everybody loves,” said Ayers, who has 52 albums to his credit. “We’ll do ‘Everybody Loves the Sunshine,’ ‘Running Away’ and ‘Searchin’.’ And I’ll play all the tunes from five and 10 years ago that have been big in the D.C. area.”
Crediting the audiences he loves as giving him a lot of his inspiration, Ayers added, “Tell everyone they better come and get it.”
