This Week in Jazz
Charles McPherson
>> Blues vocalist Ruby Hayes is one of the area's most well known and well traveled practitioners of the genre, specializing in the classic sounds of Chicago and New Orleans. Catch her tonight at Blues Alley, where she will be playing 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets are $18 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> An eclectic mix of jazz and world music, Hiroshima will bring its international sound to The Birchmere on Thursday for a 7:30 p.m. show. $39.50 + Ticketmaster fees.
>> At just 22 years old, drummer and Virginia native Billy Williams is already making waves on the jazz scene, playing with veterans such as Cyrus Chestnut. He'll lead a trio on Thursday at Twins Jazz that will feature D.C.'s own piano monster, Allyn Johnson. Call 202-234-0072 for set time and cover information.
>> Unbuckled 7 alum Matt Grason leads House of Soul on Thursday night at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. The group specializes in jazz house using live instrumentation, and features Three Stars alum Charles Ostle, vocalist Niki Lagos, and often Three Stars alum Matt Rippetoe. 10 p.m. $3
>> Legendary blues harmonica player James "Superharp" Cotton sets up shop at Blues Alley on Thursday and Friday with 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets are $30 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Three Stars alums and DCist faves The Young Lions perform on Friday at Jazz in the Garden. 5 to 8:30 p.m. Free
>> It's a night of jazz flute this Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest, where flautists Bill Haymon and and Arch Thompson will lead a group of excellent local players. 6 to 9 p.m. $5
>> Saxophonist Charles McPherson is well respected by veterans and students alike, and was the featured altoist in Clint Eastwood's Charlie Parker bio-pic, Bird. He has still never gained mainstream (for jazz) recognition, despite having played with the great Charles Mingus from 1960 to 1972, as well as other masters from the be-bop and post-bop eras. Catch this under-appreciated master on Friday and Saturday at Bohemian Caverns. Tickets to the 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets are $18.
>> Brothers Joe and Lou Natale lead Project Natale, one of the area's best traditional jazz outfits that also features the superb playing of pianist Bob Butta. They will be celebrating the release of their latest CD on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. Tickets to the 9 and 11 p.m. sets are $15.
>> Local trumpeter and Three Stars alum Thad Wilson is probably best known for his outstanding big band, which plays every Monday at Bohemian Caverns. On Saturday, you'll have your chance to see him in a more intimate setting, leading a quartet at HR-57. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $12
>> Cutting his teeth in Chicago's avant-garde scene, bassist Jason Ajemian is starting to make his name in New York's cutting edge new music community. He'll be leading a trio on Monday at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. Call 202-667-0088 cover information. 9 p.m.
>> The Latin Grammy winning and Grammy nominated Afro Bop Alliance is a septet based out of Annapolis that, as the name would suggest, specializes in a variety of Afro-Cuban sounds. Catch them on Monday at the Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. Free
>> The blues revue continues on Monday at Blue Monday Blues, the blues counterpart to Jazz Night in Southwest. The show will feature local guitarist Clarence "Blues Man" Turner. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.