Brother Bill Quintet @ Hank Dietle's Tavern 7/2/2024

With over sixty years of history in Rockville and a literal trial by fire in 2018, Hank Dietle’s Tavern has become a new symbol of resiliency within the greater DC area that feels like it’s just hitting a renewed stride!

This cozy locals spot is investing in community and it shows. They host live music seven days a week all year long, have both afternoon and evening shows to fit anyone’s schedule, and offer residencies to bands or artistic collectives seeking to build real neighborhood connections. This month marks the three-year anniversary of Hank’s most recent reopening, so Chuck Levin’s was honored to join the Brother Bill Quintet monthly residency for a sampling of local jazz players and dedicated music fans.

Taking its name from a Louis Armstrong tune rather than a band member, the Brother Bill Quintet is a steady but loose collection of jazz musicians who have been playing together for nearly a decade. Our performance featured Dan Gutwein on tenor saxophone, Will Greenwade on drums, Hart Pettit on trumpet, Alex Petkoff on bass, and Tam Sullivan on keyboard.

Hank’s made this feel like a model night at any iconic New York City jazz club, but right in our own backyard. The band played their way through interpretations of iconic 50s and 60s Blue Note standards, ventured into more modern “esoteric noir”, and traded solos around all five instruments. Highlights for us were the interplay between musicians on songs like Miller Time, Mamacita, Liberated Brother, On The Sunny Side Of The Street, and Bossa by one-time DC resident Donald Byrd. We even encountered loyal jazz fans in the crowd who have been attending this residency every month for years!

In keeping with the history of the genre itself, gear was limited and practical but aimed at functionality and portability. The drummer rocked a blue Ludwig Breakbeats kit à la Questlove. Small with a big sound, this kit is the perfect fit for a gigging drummer living in any metropolitan city.  Greenwade's trick of building a Shure Beta 52A directly into the 14x16 kick drum to feed to a PA wasn’t necessary in such an intimate venue, but one that we look forward to hearing soon!

It was no surprise to see the ubiquitous Nord Electro5 onstage for all keys sounds. The upright bass pumped an undersaddle pickup through the GK MB115 bass amp for a woody but full timbre. It was also a treat to hear the tenor sax and trumpet without amplification at all, as audience members were treated to all of the nuances of the players’ tone.

With a decades' long history that feels akin to Chuck Levin’s own 66 years in independent business, Hank Dietle’s Tavern remains a comfortable place to hang out after work, find affordable food and drinks, and listen to a never-ending catalog of eclectic local musicians. So whether you are a music fan who wants a relaxed place to sit or dance, an emerging artist looking to begin their live performance journey, or a seasoned musician ready to build deep community roots, Hank Dietle’s can certainly be the place for you.

Blog by Juliette Bell

Photo/Video by Emory Hensley