Here's a good question: Why is there a topless kid, who may or may not be enjoying one of the finer moments of a drug trip, spastically flailing around the unfortunately half-full 9:30 club on a Saturday night? The answer is Maceo Parker, arguably one of the best funk musicians of our time.
Maceo, as he is lovingly called, fronts a group of undeniably brilliant artists who not only play in suits, but absolutely epitomize the word "cool." The highlights of this group, besides Maceo, include Will Boulware, who plays a combination keyboard and organ and Bruno Speight, whose guitar solo during the cover of a Prince song almost caused audience members to reach nirvana.
One of the best things about this kind of music is that it is always best when seen live because the musicians can improvise in such a way that an originally four minute song becomes a 20 minute song. At this particular show Saturday night, the group played a mix of old and new, with an emphasis on new material from Maceo's recent release "Made by Maceo." The set lasted for an impressive two hours, and despite the fact that they were dripping with sweat and probably out of breath, Maceo and his crew were smiling and seemed to be having the time of their lives the entire way through.
While most people may not listen to funk in their cars on the way to work, anyone can get down at a funk show. From the previously noted half-naked boy to an old man wearing a condom on his head to a glitter-covered girl raving in the back in the club, Maceo and his music are successfully able to reach an enormously varied audience.
There is only one word for what every single person in this audience, whether or not funk is their preferred genre of music, was doing: grooving. Which brings us to an even better question: How can you not move to this music?
Even though Maceo Parker has come and gone, there are still a number of places in D.C. where you can get your groove on.
Blues Alley 1073 Wisconsin Ave.
Located in an alley in Georgetown, Blues Alley, established in 1965, is the longest continually running jazz supper club in America. Once a venue for Dizzie Gillespie, Blues Alley still features many established jazz acts. This week's highlights include the CD release party for Rick Wurzbacher Trio + 1 on Wednesday and the Frank Morgan Quartet this weekend.
For more information call (202) 337-4141 or visit www.bluesalley.com.
Bohemian Caverns 2001 11th St.
Established in 1926, soulful singers and jazz greats such as Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis have performed at Bohemian Caverns. Today the venue features a Belgian beer happy hour every Tuesday, spoken word and live jazz every Wednesday, an international beer happy hour on Thursdays and numerous jazz performances throughout the week.
On Saturday the New Power Trio, a progressive jazz group, will perform at 9:30 p.m. Tickets cost $15.
Bohemian Caverns is closest to the U Street Metro stop. For more information call (202) 299-0801 or visit www.bohemiancaverns.com.
Columbia Station 2325 18th St.
Columbia Station captures some distinct aspects of American culture: burgers and blues, pizza and jazz. Live music is performed every night to accompany those interested in the casual fare.
This Friday Michelle Walker, a singer who covers songs from Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole, as well as Elton John and the Police, will perform from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Columbia Station is actually closest to the Adams Morgan, not the Columbia Metro stop. For more information call (202) 462-6040.
Felix Restaurant and Lounge 2406 18th St.
A venue featuring jazz and funk performances and interesting cocktails, the Felix Restaurant and Lounge generally draws a crowd in the always-busy Adams Morgan weekends.
This week Felix will feature dinner jazz from the Satin Doll Trio on Monday, Latin jazz from Chuck Ferrell on Tuesday and swing jazz from The Joker's Wild on Thursday.
The Felix Lounge is closest to the Adams Morgan Metro stop. For more information call (202) 483-3549.
U-topia 1418 U St.
This bar and grill features an international menu and an artistic space, which is often home to live music.
Highlights this week include the Wayne Wilentz Trio to perform Brazilian jazz on Thursday at 9:30 p.m. Wilentz will also perform at Georgia Brown's, located on 15th Street between K and I streets on Sunday, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
U-topia is closest to the U Street Metro stop. For more information call (202) 483-7669.
-ANNE GODLASKY
