This Week in Jazz
Clarence "The Blues Man" Turner
>> Three Stars alum Will Rast leads his burnin' jazz-funk big band, The Funk Ark, on Thursday at The Vegas Lounge. The band includes some of the city's best young musicians, including Three Stars alum Matt Rippetoe.
>> DCist is quite familiar with the earthy playing of pianist Cyrus Chestnut. On Thursday, he begins a four night stint at Blues Alley, this time leading a trio through daily 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets are $25 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> The jazz program at Howard University has produced some of the country's best. See the jazz stars of tomorrow perform, as the Howard University Jazz Ensemble performs at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. $5
>> At a relatively young age, Baltimore native Tim Green has already shared the stage with some of the best in jazz. His original music is a soulful blend of jazz and gospel, and will be on display this Friday and Saturday at Bohemian Caverns. Tickets to the 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets are $20.
>> Drummer and D.C. native Keith Killgo is one of the founding members of the groundbreaking jazz-funk group, The Blackbyrds. He will be leading his own group this Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. Tickets to the 9 and 11 p.m. sets are $20.
>> For over 20 years, Jimmy "Junebug" Jackson played drums behind master organist Jimmy Smith. Nowadays, he leads is own group, which will be performing this Friday and Saturday at HR-57. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $12
>> Clarence "The Blues Man" Turner has been heating up clubs all over the city with his smokey and completely pure interpretation of the blues. His group will perform on Monday at Blue Monday Blues. 6 to 9 p.m. $5
>> Saxophonist Andrew White is not only a monster player, but also has made his mark in the academic world by becoming the world's foremost authority on the music of John Coltrane and Eric Dolphy, having transcribed literally thousands of their solos. His concerts can range from the most outside avant-garde to the purest of blues. White will be performing 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Tuesday at Blues Alley. Tickets are $22 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.