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Description
Guy and Gals 2025
Jazz Night Out
presents
THE HARGROOVE EFFECT
SATURDAY
May 31, 2025
7:30PM - 9:30PM
TICKET $25
$15 FOOD & DRINK MIN.
Iva Jean Ambush
Iva Jean Ambush, hailing from Frederick, Maryland, is a scat singing jazz vocalist whose remarkable talent has garnered acclaim both locally and internationally. Recently honored as the recipient of the prestigious Billie Holiday Competition, Ms. Ambush has graced renowned stages across the globe.
Her performances have captivated audiences at esteemed venues such as the DC Jazz Festival, Birdland, and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, among others. From the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival to international stages like Le Duc des Lombards, her dynamic presence and masterful interpretation of jazz standards have left an indelible mark on the jazz scene.
Ms. Ambush's musical journey has been enriched by collaborations with jazz legends such as Sheila Jordan, Dr. Horace Boyer, and Ronnie Wells. Drawing inspiration from these luminaries, she has delved deep into the intricacies of jazz phrasing and rhythms, honing her craft to perfection.
With a rich familial legacy steeped in jazz, Ms. Ambush counts among her relatives esteemed musicians like the late trumpeter Lester Bowie, saxophonist/composer/arranger Byron Bowie, Defunkt band leader Joe Bowie, and Spyro Gyra bassist Scott Ambush, to name a few.
Currently, Ms. Ambush is channeling her passion into her sophomore album, "Mosaic Voices of Four Women." Paying homage to icons Abbey Lincoln, Lena Horne, Buffy Sainte-Marie, and Nina Simone, she celebrates their resilience in the face of adversity, drawing parallels to her own journey in the world of jazz.
Through her music, Ms. Ambush aims to elevate the voice as the epitome of syncopation—an instrument, a language, and a conversation. With each note, she continues to carve her place as a leading voice in the contemporary jazz landscape.
For more information, visit www.IvaAmbush.com
FREDDIE DUNN, JR.
DAVID COLE
David Cole was born and raised Washington D.C. young David was captivated by guitar flavorings of Curtis Mayfield, Cornell Dupree and Clarence Carter in addition to the electrifying showmanship of James Brown that he heard on the radio and saw live at the Howard Theatre.
While singing in his school’s Glee Club he borrowed a neighbor’s guitar to emulate the R&B/Soul hits of the day eventually forming his first band after receiving his own instrument from his Father who recognized his gift.
As David embarked on “paying his dues” at local venues he credits D.C. guitarist Michael Edwards, Omar Mesa (Mandrill), Carlos Santana, Jimi Hendrix and Howlin Wolf (whose music he heard from his older brother) with expanding his appreciation to the sonic possibilities of the instrument beyond R&B/Soul.
As his musicality flourished David caught the ear of R&B Entertainer “Little Royal” who recruited him as his guitarist and toured North America playing venues from Canada to Florida and all stops in between.
Tired of the road and concerned about his future David returned home and enrolled at The University of D.C. obtaining his BMED Degree in Music Education. He formed a close friendship with local Jazz guitarist the late Jerry Gordon and became deeply interested in the Jazz and Blues stylish of Wes Montgomery, Grant Green and Albert King.
As a budding guitarist he honed his skills performing in the Bobby Felder and Calvin Jones Big Bands thus adding “new colors” to his expanding musical palette. David has performed with Roberta Flack, Archie Bell, The Clovers, The Orioles, Percy Sledge, The Jewels and toured Japan with R&B balladeers The Delphonics.
In 2006 he co-founded the group Main Street Blues to further develop and show case his skills as a vocalist, guitarist and engaging entertainment/front man to elevate and pay tribute to the Blues contribution to Contemporary music.
While maintaining his career as an educator David remains musically active in such activities as “Bessie’s Blues Show (A Tribute to Blues Legend Bessie Smith), The D.C. Blues Society Lecture Series Showcase – “Blues and It’s Influences (1950’s-1980’s)” and The Capital All Stars Big Band.
In February 2015 Main Street Blues successfully headlined The 1st International Blues Festival in Paraguay while also conducting a series of Master Classes relating “The History of the Blues and The Civil Rights Movement.”
Finally stepping out front “Urban Blues” is his first CD release as a featured performer.
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!!
GREG HOLLOWAY
Date & Time
Sat, May 31, 2025 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Venue Details
El Golfo Restaurant (Assigned Seating)
8739 Flower AvenueSilver Spring, Maryland 20901
