This Week in Jazz
>> Saxophonist Charlie Young, a lecturer at Howard, tours and performs regularly with both the Duke Ellington Jazz Orchestra and the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. Tonight, he leads his own group at Blues Alley. Tickets to the 8 and 10 p.m. sets are $18 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Piano sensation Brad Mehldau performs tonight at the Barns at Wolf Trap. His rhythm section includes drumming phenom Jeff Ballard and renowned bassist Larry Grenadier. Tickets to the 8 p.m. set are $25.
>> Baltimore-based guitarist Michael Raitzyk brings his jazzy blend of soul, funk, and R&B to Twins Jazz tonight. He will perform along with bassist Jesse Powers, drummer Jesse Moody, and vocalist Karla Chisholm. Call 202-234-0072 for set time and cover information.
>> The last of National Geographic's Rhythm Road concert series takes place this Thursday. The Chris Byars Quartet performs at 6 p.m and the hip-hop sounds of AFAR begin at 7:15 p.m.
>> Norwegian composer and saxophonist Frøy Aagre (pictured) is coming to Twins Jazz on Thursday. Her music is characterized by creative arrangments that feature quirky melodies and rich harmonies. She will be playing with pianist Kris Davis, bassist Michael Bates, and drummer Jeff Davis. Call 202-234-0072 for set time and cover information.
>> On Friday, New York artist Karina Zeviani will bring her unique blend of traditional Brazilian music and urban electronica to Bossa. 10:30 p.m. $5
>> Guitar legend Pat Martino begins a three night stand at Blues Alley on Friday. For those who don't know the story, Martino suffered brain aneurysms in the 1970s that caused him to lose almost all of his memory, including his knowledge of the guitar. Through extensive rehabilitation, he came back to form and resumed his career in 1987 and continues to produce first class work to this day. Tickets to the 8 and 10 p.m. sets are $27.50 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Two great acts come to the Kennedy Center this weekend in the form of Latin songstress Luciana Souza, who performs Friday, and pianist Kenny Barron, who plays on Saturday. Tickets are still available to Souza's 9:30 p.m. set as well as for Barron's 9:30 p.m. set. Tickets to both shows are $30.
>> Local first-call drummer Nasar Abadey will be leading his own group this Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. The lineup will change between the two nights, but musicians include bassists James King and Herman Burney, along with saxophonist Joe Ford. Tickets to the 9 and 11 p.m. sets are $15.
>> Bohemian Caverns will feature some great music this weekend as nationally recognized saxophonist Gary Thomas leads a group on Friday and Saturday for 9 and 11 p.m. sets. In addition to his 11 albums has a leader, Thomas has over 80 recording credits as a sideman and his resume reads like a "Who's Who" of modern jazz. He has played with artists ranging from Miles Davis to Bobby McFerrin. Tickets are $15.
>> Chinese jazz vocalist Coco Zhao performs this Saturday at the Rosslyn Spectrum Theater at 8 p.m. Dubbed by French critics as "The Boy Billie Holiday," Coco Zhao cross-pollinates Asian vocals with the distinct phrasing of contemporary jazz. $20 through Ticketmaster.
>> On Sunday, New York-based altoist Nick Kadajski will lead his group, 5 Point Perspective at Twins Jazz. The group has an unusual instrumentation, featuring two guitarists in addition to the standard bass/drums rhythm section. 6 p.m. $8
>> Jim Levy teaches piano at GWU and gigs regularly about town. On Monday, he leads his Serfs of Swing at Blues Alley for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. The group specializes in the jazz of the 1930s. Tickets are $18 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> If you missed Unbuckled 7 last week, then shame on you. But for those of you who were there, surely you remember guitarist John Lee (pictured), who tore it up while playing with hip-hop/jazz collective Motel. He leads his own group next Tuesday at Bossa. 10 p.m. No cover
Images courtesy Frøy Aagre and John Lee