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Potomac River Jazz Club - Celebrating Over 50 Years!
All PRJC events and ticket sales are listed on our EventBrite Page
The Conservatory Classic Jazz Band 
and the PRJC Jam
January 18 from 2:30-5pm
2026 Dates: Feb 8 and Mar 29!
Location: Alfio's La Trattoria, 4515 Willard Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD. Ph: 301 657-9133
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The Conservatory Classic Jazz Band opens and closes the music, with a Jam Session in the middle. All are welcome to sit in or just sit back and enjoy!
The Conservatory Classic Jazz Band was formed in 2003 to present the sounds of traditional jazz to Washington DC audiences. A seven-piece group, they play New Orleans style, Chicago style, small-group swing, and mainstream.
CCJB members include Dave Robinson, leader/cornet/trumpet, Brian Priebe on trombone, Gary Gregg on clarinet/sax, Dan Hall on bass, Jeff Reynolds on guitar/banjo, Brian Alpert on drums. Note: Alfio's has valet parking, street parking, and a full dinner menu available.
Visit the band's website at ccjazzband
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Advanced Tickets are available from the PRJC EventBrite site:
Tickets
Admission: Jammers and students get in FREE - no charge if you play or sing. Members of the PRJC pay $10, and non-members $15. A single membership is only $25 a year - support the organization and get a discount on events!
PRJC Mardi Gras concert featuring:
Orleans Express
February 22, 2026, from 1:30pm-4:00pm
Rosensteel Knights of Columbus of Silver Spring, 9707 Rosensteel Avenue, Silver Spring, MD Directions
Grab your parasol and beads and join us for a Mardi Gras Trad Jazz celebration! There's plenty of room to dance - and plenty of King Cake! The PRJC will celebrate the Mardi Gras season featuring the Orleans Express of Maryland. You don't have to fly or drive down to New Orleans to experience an afternoon of entertainment, we'll have it right here for you in person in Silver Spring.
We invite you to listen, dance to the rhythms, and march to a variety of music fitting for the Mardi Gras season right here in Silver Spring. In addition to New Orleans style jazz, the band's repetoire includes several Tin Alley tunes such as Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives to Me and I'll See You in C.U.B.A. Wear your favorite Mardi Gras accessories such as masks, hats, boas and beads -- and don't forget those parasols!
The band members consist of Les Elkins on cornet and vocals, Halley Schoenberg on reeds, Greg Williams on drums, John O Brien on banjo, John Stewart on trombone, with Willie Clark subbing on tuba.
The Potomac River Jazz Club (PRJC) has been bringing live New Orleans/Trad style jazz to the DC area for over 51 years. We host our concerts at Rosensteel Hall as it has ample parking, is a few blocks from the metro (red line, Forest Glen), has plenty of seating and dance floor space, and a nicely priced cash bar. Come on out and hear some great live music while supporting local musicians!
Admission:
PRJC members ($20), General admission ($25; $22.50 in advance), youth with valid student ID (Free).
Ticket Purchase
PRJC Jazz Presentation: The Palm Court Jazz Café Legacy
featuring Craig Klein
February 23, 2026, 7-8:15pm
ONLINE via Zoom
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The Palm Court Jazz Café was a New Orleans fine dining and traditional jazz institution for 35 years, and its heart lives on!
One of the few New Orleans traditional jazz institutions that also offered fine dining was the Palm Court Jazz Cafe. For 35 years, it offerred live jazz 5 nights a week featuring the city's finest musicians. Nina Buck, proprietress, and her husband George provideda home for both musicians and music enthusiasts alike.
Learn more about the restaurant and jazz club and about the band that continues to honor the club's legacy -- The Pal Court Jazz Band.
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Craig Klein is born and bred New Orleans and has constantly been exposed to a diverse mixture of music cultures. As a high school trombone player hanging around the French Quarter his love of New Orleans music was solidified when he stumbled upon Preservation Hall in the mid 70s. He chased the New Orleans sound all around town. In 1980, his trombone playing Uncle Gerry Dallmann invited him to parade around the Quarter with a funky street band called The Pair-A-Dice Tumblers. That experience led him to become a founding member of two prominent brass bands, The Storyville Stompers (1981) and later The New Orleans NightCrawlers (1994) . . . . . Craig and Uncle Gerry still play a lot of music together to this very day!
In 1990, he received a call that concluded with an audition over the phone that landed him a gig with Harry Connick, Jr. This 16-year journey led to many recordings and world tours. In 1998, while on tour with Harry in New York, Craig was out enjoying the city and heard a Latin/Salsa band with 5 trombones... That night he had a dream to put a New Orleans band together featuring lots of trombones. He approached his Harry Connick band mate and fellow New Orleanian, Mark Mullins about the idea. In 2006 Craig left Harry to focus on Bonerama and touring. The rest is Bonerama history.
Craig has a vast musical experience and has played on well over 150 records, including his first solo record, New Orleans Trombonisms (2004). He has played with the best: Dr. John, The Neville Brothers, George Porter, Leroy Jones, Tori Amos, Dave Bartholomew, REM, Allen Toussaint, Preservation Hall, The Palm Court Jazz Band, The Jazz Vipers, Bruce Hornsby, Storyville Stompers, New Orleans Nightcrawlers... just to name a few!
Don't miss your chance to hear Craig speak about The Palm Court Jazz Cafe. He feels the spirit of the music and he brings with him a real New Orleans vibe to all he does.
This session will be held virtually via Zoom. Login information will be sent two hours before the start of the program. Although we offer these monthly talks for free, the PRJC is always happy to have donations to offset the costs. Learn more about out organization, become a member, or contribute by visiting www.prjc.org.
Admission: The event is FREE!
Registration required by 5pm on the day of the event:
Zoom Registration
You can support the PRJC, our monthly Educational Talks and PRJC Concerts
using the Paypal link www.paypal.me/PotomacRiverJazzClub
PRJC St. Patty's Bash concert with Anita Thomas and Friends (including Danny Tobias and Nathan Takanuga from New York!)
March 15, 2026, from 2-4:30pm,
at Rosensteel Knights of Columbus of Silver Spring, 9707 Rosensteel Avenue, Silver Spring, MD
Directions
PRJC Jazz Talk: Donna's Bar & Grill New Orleans
Presented by Dr. Donna Poniatowsk Sims
March 30, 2026, 7-8:15pm,
ONLINE via Zoom
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Donna's Bar & Grill was a "Brass Band Headquarters" and a fixture in the French Quarter music scene. Hear more about it from Donna herself!
We welcome Dr. Donna Poniatowski Sims, who will be discussing her book, Donna's Bar & Grill New Orleans. The book contains first person narratives that bring stories of the “Brass Band Headquarters” to life through the sharing of memories and memorabilia. Extensive photographs and taped interviews of the musicians and patrons of the iconic French Quarter music venue are the foundation of the author’s articulation of the club’s influence on the evolution and promotion of brass bands and Mardi Gras Indians into New Orleans club venues in the 1990s and early 21st century.
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At the time of this writing, many have achieved fame and recognition on the national and international stage as well. Also included is the history of the many New Orleans artists whose musical careers began in a brass band and morphed into straight-ahead jazz (bebop) and/or classical or other genres such as Zydeco and Blues/Rhythm and Blues. This book, a personal form of documentation about a real place and its events, contributes a memorable perspective to the cultural history of the remarkably unique New Orleans style of music which has influenced other musicians and composers around the world.
Dr. Donna Poniatowski Sims, educator (K-12 and university level), and her husband, Chef Charlie Sims, were restaurateurs and owners of the music club, Donna’s Bar and Grill (which was noted for playing brass bands), and located at 800 N. Rampart for almost 18 years (1993-2010). Donna already knew many of the jazz musicians from her previous restaurant/music club, Janek's, at 711 Bourbon which she co-owned from 1976-1980 with her first husband, John Poniatowski (deceased-1991). Donna has also been published as a photographer and has written numerous curricula for educational purposes. Charlie was the chef for Donna’s Bar and Grill and Head Chef for Amtrak’s "City of New Orleans."
The Potomac River Jazz Club has been bringing Trad Jazz to the DC area for over 52 years. We began hosting the Jazz Talk series in 2020, offering a variety of speakers including musicians, historians and authors on topics related to Trad/early Jazz. We offer tickets for free to the talk, but appreciate any donation tickets - even small amounts add up and help us keep offering this wonderful series. The Zoom link for the presentation will be sent out at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time the day of the event. Follow us here on Eventbrite so you'll be alerted to other events we host.
Admission: FREE
Although we offer the talk for free, there are also "donation tickets" to offset the cost of the series. We hope to see you on Zoom!
**Please register by 5:00 p.m. the day of the event. The Zoom link for this presentation will be sent by e-mail the day of the presentation.
Zoom registration link
You can support the PRJC or our Educational Talks and Concerts using the Paypal link www.paypal.me/PotomacRiverJazzClub
PRJC Tax Day Special concert with Sac Au Lait from Baltimore
April 12, 2026, from 2:00pm-4:30pm
Rosensteel Knights of Columbus of Silver Spring , 9707 Rosensteel Avenue, Silver Spring, MD
Directions
PRJC Presents a Mother's Day special with Ben Mauger's Jazz Band
May 17, 2026, from 2-4:30pm
Rosensteel Knights of Columbus of Silver Spring, 9707 Rosensteel Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Directions
PRJC's Father's Day Concert featuring The Seth Kibel Quintet Featuring Flo Anito
June 14, 2025, from 2-4:30pm
Rosensteel Knights of Columbus of Silver Spring, 9707 Rosensteel Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Directions
Enjoy a swinging afternoon of hot jazz with The Seth Kibel Quintet, featuring Flo Anito is a PRJC favorite. They'll perform a varied program of jazz, swing, and yes, a little bit of klezmer for good measure. Expect lots of trad favorites, a few rarities, as well witty, insightful, and partially-accurate historical commentary from Seth (not to mention a lot of laughs). You'll hear plenty of good music suitable for dancing, listening, drinking, and heckling, including quite a few from Seth's most recent album on Azalea City Recordings, "Clown With A Stick," released in May 2023.
The Potomac River Jazz Club (PRJC) has been bringing Traditional Jazz to the DC area for 52 years. Our monthly concerts, Trad Jazz Jams, and online Jazz Talks offer a variety of programming for everyone. Our concerts are held at Rosensteel Hall in Silver Spring, MD. It is close to the Forest Glen Metro, has ample parking, and a spacious dance floor. There is plenty of seating, and a cash bar with beverages and snacks. Come on out and see why we have stood the test of time!
Admission:
PRJC members ($20), General admission ($25; $22.50 in advance), Youth & Students with valid student IDs (Free).
PRJC concert with Strathmore Scholar in Residence Marcel Penzes' Peabody Promenaders
October 18, 2026, from 1:30-4:00pm (winter schedule)
Rosensteel Knights of Columbus of Silver Spring, 9707 Rosensteel Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Directions
The PRJC Fall Concert with Halley Schoenburg's Hot Gumbo jazz band
November 15, 2026, from 2-4:30pm
Rosensteel Knights of Columbus of Silver Spring, 9707 Rosensteel Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Directions
The Halley Shoenberg Swingtet is a vibrant jazz ensemble that brings an electrifying energy to every performance, blending classic swing with fresh, modern twists. Led by the exceptionally talented Halley Shoenberg, the Swingtet creates a lively atmosphere, showcasing a depth of jazz music accessible and fun for listeners of all ages.
Whether you're a lifelong jazz fan or a newcomer to the genre, this band promises to deliver an unforgettable musical experience. The group highlights Traditional jazz styles from Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller and Benny Goodman. They have performed at Great Gatsby parties, dances at Glen Echo Spanish Ballroom, Victorian Chautauqua Festival, a Moulin Rouge party and, of course for the PRJC.
What sets the Halley Shoenberg Swingtet apart is its unique combination of seasoned musicianship and a youthful exuberance that breathes new life into timeless jazz standards. Supported by an incredibly talented group of musicians, the Swingtet weaves together intricate melodies with high-energy performances that are both entertaining and deeply moving. Indeed, Swingtet that never fails to create an atmosphere of pure joy, making every show a celebration of music, rhythm, and connection. A pre-Thanksgiving musical treat.
Admission:
PRJC members ($20), General admission ($25; $22.50/advance), Youth with valid student ID (Free).
PRJC Holiday Gypsy Jazz Special with The Hot Club of Baltimore
December 13, 2026, from 1:30pm-4:00pm
Rosensteel Knights of Columbus of Silver Spring, 9707 Rosensteel Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Directions
You can support the PRJC, our monthly PRJC Concerts and Jazz Educational Talks
using the Paypal link www.paypal.me/PotomacRiverJazzClub
Rosensteel Hall
Directions:
From the Capital Beltway (I-495) in Maryland take Georgia Ave. (Md. Rte. 97) a short distance north to signal at Forest Glen Road (Md. Rt. 192).
Turn left and go west 0.4 miles. Turn right on Rosensteel Ave.
The Hall is at 9707 Rosensteel Ave. on the right, opposite a church and cemetery. Parking is in the back. * This location is metro accessible: FOREST GLEN METRO STATION is only 2-3 blocks away. Rosensteel phone is 301-588-3303.
Rosensteel Knights of Columbus of Silver Spring , 9707 Rosensteel Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910
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All That Jazz
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