Photographer: Darwyn Dave

Rhythminic Accents is a cutting-edge jazz ensemble that features jazz standards, original jazz tunes, and classic funk, R&B, and popular tunes, all played with its own unique flavor. The band takes its name from the title of a well-known Thelonious Monk tune, Rhythm-A-Ning. Keyboardist/bandleader Bill Washburn founded the group in 1998.

Rhythminic Accents performs at venues throughout the metropolitan Washington area and has appeared at HR-57 Center for the Preservation of Jazz and Blues, Westminster Presbyterian Church Friday Night Jazz, Lincoln Theater, and Bohemian Caverns. Rhythminic Accents has also appeared in concert at the East Coast Jazz Festival in Rockville, MD and on WPFW-Pacifica’s Live @ 5 radio show.

Rhythminic Accents is available for private parties and special events such as weddings, receptions, and fundraisers. For booking information, please contact us at 202-561-1008 or william.washburn1@comcast.net.

Band Members

Bill Washburn is a pianist and drummer with over 50 years of professional experience. Bill has worked with many local and nationally known musicians, both straight-ahead and avant garde. He also served as a board member of Lettumplay, Inc. (founded in 1978 by Bohemian Caverns owner Tony Taylor) and HR-57 Center for the Preservation of Jazz and Blues. In addition to his ongoing work with Rhythminic Accents, Bill also appeared with the Terry Koger Quartet/Quintet at the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival in 2018 and 2019.

Zack Graddy is a saxophonist who is an Atlanta, GA native with nearly 30 years of professional experience.  He moved to Washington, DC in 1996 and began playing with Rhythminic Accents in 1998. In addition to working with Rhythminic Accents, Zack is also a longtime member of the Michael Thomas Quintet.

Joe Henderson is a drummer with nearly 30 years of professional experience. He has worked in a variety of settings including plays, Jazz, R&B, and Hip-Hop (Black Indian, Raggae and Church Gospel groups). In addition to his work with Rhythminic Accents, Joe has also worked with David Ornette Cherry in New York City at SOB’s. He has been a member of Rhythminic Accents since 2000.

Jeron White is a bassist with years of experience on the jazz/avant garde scene in the Washington-Baltimore and New York City area. He leads his own group, Polarity, and is featured on several recordings. Polarity opened for Michael Formanek’s Ensemble Kolossus in April 2017 at NYU Theater. Jeron’s discography include Jamal Moore’s “Organix Trio Ancestral Communion” and “Theljon Allen "Prospective.”