Cool, sweet jazz floats up to the heavens from Westminster Presbyterian Church every Friday night.  'Jazz Night in Southwest' offers three hours of some of the best jazz music in the District—for just a $5 admission.

People of all colors and ages gather to enjoy the smooth, mellow sounds each Friday from 6 to 9 pm. Singles, couples, mothers with their children, and groups of friends can be found nodding their heads to the music—many with closed eyes and peaceful, satisfied smiles.

Jazz Night started in January 1999 when Earl Banks, a jazz musician, drummer and singer, met with Brian Hamilton, one of Westminster's pastors. Banks was looking for a venue where local jazz musicians could play the music they loved. Hamilton, and his wife and co-pastor Ruth Hamilton, were looking for a way to reach out to the black community of SW. And so Jazz Night in Southwest was born.

And there's food in the basement. Oh boy is there! It’s cooked and served by Southwest Catering, a catering business set up by the Hamiltons as part of a development initiative for low-income residents of SW.  The menu includes fried whiting, chicken, slaw, brownies, and sweet potato pie.

For information, please call (202) 484-7700. Westminster Presbyterian Church is located at 400 I Street, SW. The nearest Metro stops are L'Enfant Plaza and Waterfront-SEU. Admission is $5, children under 16 are free. Food is served from 6 to 8:30 pm.