About us
The Potomac River Jazz Club is a nonprofit society founded in 1971 whose purpose is to preserve, encourage and promote the playing and appreciation of traditional jazz. On our Web site [PRJC.org](https://prjc.org/) you’ll find information about trad jazz happenings in the Washington-Baltimore area, about our organization, about our affiliated jazz bands, about jazz history, and about many other items of interest to jazz fans. And be sure to check out what PRJC is doing to encourage young musicians to play traditional jazz with the Capital Focus Youth Jazz Band. Please look around the site, and if you want to make a comment or a suggestion, ask a question or just say “Hi,” please send us an e-mail. The PRJC can also be reached at 484-626-0887.
If you like traditional jazz, if you listen to Hot Jazz Saturday Night on WAMU, if you enjoyed the DC Tweed Rides' 1920s-themed after-parties, if you are listening to this kind of music online, you will enjoy the music at PRJC events.
While membership in this PRJC Meetup group is free to all, we encourage you to purchase a full Potomac River Jazz Club membership (annual dues $30 individual, $45 couple) to receive our monthly newsletter Tailgate Ramblings and $5 discount on admission to our events. Attend six events (we have typically 20+ per year), and you're gotten back the cost of your membership. Member ticket prices referred to in our event listings means people who have a paid membership in PRJC. Membership info is at https://prjc.org/joinprjc.html.
Featured event

PRJC St Paddy’s Day Party with Anita’s Jazzmanian Devils
Anita Thomas has put together what you could properly term “the dream team” of a band - grab your tickets now for a pot of gold show!
Anita Thomas has had great fortune bestowed upon her. Having lived in Australia and California and now Maryland she has had the opportunity to meet and play with stellar jazz musicians from around the globe. For this PRJC performance she is presenting not only some of our fabulous local jazz musicians but also one you may not have yet heard in person.
Anita is bringing in NYC trumpeter Danny Tobias, in demand throughout the NYS area and (literally) ships at sea, a veteran of jazz cruises. Joining Danny are local standouts Scott Silbert on reeds, David Sager on trombone, Craig Gildner on piano. Joining Anita from her roost in Hagerstown will be Chuck Ferrell on drums, while versatile Anita herself will be handling string bass AND bass saxophone chores.
This band is going to be exciting and hot but also sweet and tender. It promises to be an event to remember - and it may bring the luck of the Irish to ya.
The Potomac River Jazz Club (PRJC) has been bringing live New Orleans/Trad style jazz to the DC area for over 52 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!
The Potomac River Jazz Club (PRJC) has been bringing live New Orleans/Trad style jazz to the DC area for over 52 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!
Rosensteel Hall has a nice dance floor, reasonably priced cash bar, plenty of free parking, and is next to Forest Glen Metro Station.
Admission: PRJC members ($20 (this means dues-paying members of PRJC, not this free Meetup group), General admission $25 at door, $22.50 if purchased online in advance. Youth with valid student IDs: Free. Sales at door are by cash, check or PayPal only.
Click here to buy tickets in advance!
Our events page: https://prjc.org/prjcevents.html
Upcoming events
3
- $25.00

PRJC St Paddy’s Day Party with Anita’s Jazzmanian Devils
9707 Rosensteel Ave, Silver Spring, MD, USAnita Thomas has put together what you could properly term “the dream team” of a band - grab your tickets now for a pot of gold show!
Anita Thomas has had great fortune bestowed upon her. Having lived in Australia and California and now Maryland she has had the opportunity to meet and play with stellar jazz musicians from around the globe. For this PRJC performance she is presenting not only some of our fabulous local jazz musicians but also one you may not have yet heard in person.
Anita is bringing in NYC trumpeter Danny Tobias, in demand throughout the NYS area and (literally) ships at sea, a veteran of jazz cruises. Joining Danny are local standouts Scott Silbert on reeds, David Sager on trombone, Craig Gildner on piano. Joining Anita from her roost in Hagerstown will be Chuck Ferrell on drums, while versatile Anita herself will be handling string bass AND bass saxophone chores.
This band is going to be exciting and hot but also sweet and tender. It promises to be an event to remember - and it may bring the luck of the Irish to ya.
The Potomac River Jazz Club (PRJC) has been bringing live New Orleans/Trad style jazz to the DC area for over 52 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!
The Potomac River Jazz Club (PRJC) has been bringing live New Orleans/Trad style jazz to the DC area for over 52 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!
Rosensteel Hall has a nice dance floor, reasonably priced cash bar, plenty of free parking, and is next to Forest Glen Metro Station.
Admission: PRJC members ($20 (this means dues-paying members of PRJC, not this free Meetup group), General admission $25 at door, $22.50 if purchased online in advance. Youth with valid student IDs: Free. Sales at door are by cash, check or PayPal only.
Click here to buy tickets in advance!
Our events page: https://prjc.org/prjcevents.html
1 attendee - $15.00

The Conservatory Classic Jazz Band and the Monthly Jam Session
Alfio's La Trattoria, 4515 Willard Ave, Chevy Chase, MD, USThe Conservatory Classic Jazz Band opens and closes the music, with a Jam Session at the end of each set. 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. Visit the band's website for additional information.
The PRJC Monthly Jam Session is held at Alfio's La Trattoria in Chevy Chase. There is plenty or room for you and your friends. We could fit 100 people in there. That said, we do recommend, if you want a table for your group, arrive early. We will get you in, but can't promise seating groups together if the space has filled up.
Alfio's has free valet parking (tips are appreciated). Street parking is free but unobtainable. There is a full menu and bar.
We welcome suggestions for possible event venues anywhere in the DMV. Our requirements include space for at least 70 people, plenty of parking, and a conveniently accessible location; near Metro is a plus.
Admission:
Non-Jammers (PRJC members $10, non-members $15), Youth & Jammers (Free). If you play, you don't pay!
Cash, checks or PayPal at the door, or in advance on Eventbrite.2 attendees 
PRJC FREE Zoom Jazz Talk: Donna's Bar & Grill New Orleans w/Dr. Donna!
Location not specified yetPLEASE NOTE: RSVP ON MEETUP DOES NOT REGISTER YOU FOR THIS EVENT! YOU MUST REGISTER USING THIS LINK BY 5 PM ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT TO RECEIVE THE LOGIN INFORMATION TO ATTEND THE EVENT!
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.
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.”
Registration required by 5:00 p.m. Eastern time the day of the presentation to receive the Zoom link.
The PRJC has been bringing trad jazz and swing music to the DC area for 52 years in the way of concerts, jams, and talks. Our Jazz Talk series centers around early jazz topics and features top musicians and historians. As these are all hosted on Zoom, you can enjoy them wherever you are.
The PRJC began its Jazz Talk series during the pandemic shutdown as a way to support musicians who were less able to work. The series has blossomed into an ongoing project featuring speakers from across the country focusing on trad jazz and swing topics.
You can support the PRJC or our Educational Talks and Concerts with a donation using the Paypal link.
More info is on the Events page of the PRJC web site.
Video recording of the event will be posted on the PRJC YouTube channel after it is completed.
PRJC’s programs are supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council and the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County.
1 attendee
Past events
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