Brownsville Comedy Show

  • October 25, 2025 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
  • El Golfo Restaurant (Assigned Seating)

    8739 Flower Avenue
    Silver Spring, Maryland 20901
Description

Guy and Gals 2025

Jazz Night Out

Comedy Show

 

SATURDAY

OCTOBER 25, 2025

7:30PM - 9:30PM

TICKET $25

$30 AT THE DOOR

$15 FOOD & DRINK MIN.

$3 Service fee applies for any credit card

 

Brownsville Jazz Presents: The Comedy Show!  

Brownsville Jazz is thrilled to introduce a fresh, young, and hip new offering—The Comedy Show—where music and laughter collide for an unforgettable night of entertainment!  

Leading the charge is comedian Dwain Watts, our sharp-witted emcee, keeping the energy high and the laughs rolling. Between sets from some of the best regional comedians, we’ll bring you beautiful vocal performances from Laurie Cooper and Naila Perez.  

Laurie, known for her dynamic vocal artistry, will deliver soulful performances that blend Jazz and R&B, while Naila, drawing from her Latin roots, will infuse the night with the rich sounds of soul and Latin Jazz.

With a mix of humor, heart, and electrifying music, The Comedy Show is set to be the perfect blend of soul and laughter. Join us for a night where Brownsville Jazz brings a new, vibrant twist to the stage!

ABOUT COMEDIAN DWAIN WATTS

 

 

INTRODUCING VOCALIST LAURIE COOPER

Brownsville Jazz Welcomes Laurie Cooper!  

Laurie’s musical journey began in St. Louis, where the radio was always on, exposing her to an endless stream of sounds and rhythms. Now a longtime Washington, DC resident, she has become a familiar voice in the city’s jazz and open mic scene, performing as a soloist and with Capital City Voices. She also fuels her passion for rhythm as a percussionist with Bele Bele Rhythm Collective, Los Caribbeat, and More Than A Drum, adding vocals and vocalese to their infectious beats.  

Her career is filled with unforgettable “Whoo-whee” moments, from performing with Soul in Motion at Wolf Trap’s Theater in the Woods to impromptu street performances during DC art festivals and joining the legendary Congo Square drum circle in New Orleans.  

By day, Laurie is a dedicated international democracy defender, and by night, she blends global influences into her music, delivering performances rich with heart and soul.  

Join us in welcoming Laurie Cooper to Brownsville Jazz—where great music meets great comedy in The Comedy Show!

 

INTRODUCING VOCALIST NAILA PEREZ

 

 

 

 

BAND:

PETE FRASSRAND

     Pete Frassrand, born in Detroit, grew up in a family of musicians and teachers, and he is proud to continue that legacy as both a musician and educator. He first learned piano from his mother, who was the music minister at their local church. After playing piano on and off for years, Pete moved to the Washington, DC area in 1995 and decided to pursue music seriously. He is grateful to have studied with esteemed area players like Robert Redd, Charles Covington, Greg Hatza, and Tim Murphy. In 2000, Pete received his music education degree from Towson University and now shares his passion for jazz with young people as a music teacher.

     Over the years, Pete has honed his performance skills in numerous DC area clubs, including Twins, Bohemian Caverns, Jojo’s, Utopia, Mr. Henry's, and Columbia Station. He has also performed in churches such as Westminster Presbyterian, All Souls Unitarian, Metropolitan AME, and Wesley United Methodist, as well as prestigious institutions like the National Museum of African American History, the Kennedy Center, the National Press Club, American University, and Nationals Park. His performances have been featured on TV (NBC4, Voice of America Africa), radio (WPFW Live at Five, WAMU, WOWD Takoma Park), and live streams hosted by An Die Musik concert venue in Baltimore.

     Since 2011, Pete has served as the pianist for the Greater U Street Jazz Collective, making appearances at events such as the DC Jazz Festival, the National Cherry Blossom Festival, the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, and the Congressional Black Caucus. He also maintains long-standing associations with respected area musicians like David Cole and Main Street Blues, Iva Ambush, and Charles Rahmat Woods. Pete deeply appreciates the knowledge, friendship, support, and opportunities he has received from these individuals and many others in the local music community. He considers himself extremely fortunate to be able to pursue his passion in an area with such a rich musical and cultural history.


WALTER COSBY

Walter Cosby is a bassist who has been a well established presence in the DMV music scene for many years. His mother and father exposed him to a wide variety of music as a child on radio, tv, and recordings. His grandfather was an amateur musician who had many instruments, and Walter was inspired by him and eventually gravitated to bass, after hearing legendary bassist Larry Graham playing with his group Graham Central  Station. He learned bass lines on complete albums note for note, and still knows a ton of songs just by looking at or hearing the names. Walter earned a degree in University of MD at College Park, and played with contemporary jazz group Spur Of The Moment at TJ Remingtons, which was one of the most popular music spots in the DMV. He later went on 4 European tours with acid jazz pioneers Fishbelly Black, playing many of the hip venues and festivals in Europe. During his career he has done many recordings and played with a variety of artists on electric and acoustic bass, and has been a voting member of The Recording Academy for over 10 years. Walter brings energy and groove to anything he does. During the pandemic he did  a cutting edge weekly virtual live show with Sylver Logan Sharp and Darryl LA Hunt, Feel Better Friday, which features live virtual performances—with band members and artists appearing “together” while being in their own homes. He currently plays with The JoGo Project, a hip Jazz/Gogo group out of the DMV featuring members of the Chuck Brown Band, Vocal icon Miki Howard whenever she’s in the DMV, Plug-In Band, featuring young vocal sensation Elyscia, who was recently on the TV show The Voice, his own funk/soul/jazz group The GrooveNix, groups that do tribute to legendary R&B/Soul artists, and any group or artists in a variety of styles who may call. He also teaches young bass and guitar students. 
     Walter Cosby is just a groovy dude, and his bass playing expresses that sentiment!!
 


MANNY KELLOUGH

     Manuel "Manny" Kellough was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. He began playing drums at the young age of eight at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. By the age of thirteen, he was performing professionally with various local bands. His first recording was with Hank Jacobs and the TKO's on the track "The Fat Man." Later, he formed The Rhythm Rebellion, performing at Maverick's Flat in LA and touring France, Canada, and Mexico. At just 17, he had the opportunity to play with the Ray Charles band.

     Over the past 60 years, Manny has had the privilege of working with some of the most renowned artists in the industry. Notably, he was the original drummer and band leader for the late great Billy Preston, earning four Gold Records and two Grammy Awards. Manny toured extensively throughout the US and Europe with Billy Preston and the Rolling Stones. He also toured with Larry Graham and Graham Central Station, earning a Gold Album and a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 1974.

     Manny's impressive career includes collaborations with Barry White, Carmen McRae, Freddie Hubbard, and The Platters, among others. He recorded with Quincy Jones on the TV theme song for "Sanford and Son," with Little Richard on "Down and Out in Beverly Hills," with Billy Preston on "The Bus is Coming," and for the movie "Slaughter" starring Jim Brown.

     In 2009, Manny, along with Nick Weir, launched the Jazz Program for Celebrity and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. He continues to perform with his trio or quintet and vocalist at various jazz venues.

CREDITS

Performed with:

- The Late Legendary Billy Preston (25 years)

- Larry Graham and Graham Central Station

- The Platters (Toured US and Japan - 1996)

- Lou Ragland's "World Famous" Ink Spots

- The Late Great Carmen McRae

- Marlena Shaw

- The Late Dobie Gray

- The Late Freddie Hubbard

- The Late Great Ray Charles

- The Main Ingredient (South Africa Tour - 1976)

- The Late Rev. James Cleveland

- The Rolling Stones (The Goat's Head Soup Tour, 1973)

- The Late Barry White

- The Legendary Flamingos

- Lenny Welch

- Quincy Jones (Sanford & Son TV Theme Song "Ghost Rider")
 

Date & Time

Sat, Oct 25, 2025 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Venue Details

El Golfo Restaurant (Assigned Seating)

8739 Flower Avenue
Silver Spring, Maryland 20901 El Golfo Restaurant (Assigned Seating)
Brownsville Jazz

Find more Brownsville Jazz Events