This Week in Jazz
Braxton Cook
>> So who knew the conch shell could be used as a bona fide jazz instrument? Steve Turre, whose primary horn is the trombone, augments his shows with his impressive shell playing. Hear his unique sound tonight at Blues Alley. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $25 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Jeff Aug uses a variety of techniques to create mindblowing sounds from his acoustic guitar. The technical wiz will perform on Thursday at the Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. Free
>> Henry Butler is a star of the New Orleans music scene. Beginning his career as a straight ahead jazz pianist, he has since shifted to focus almost exclusively on the blues. Butler will perform 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Thursday at Blues Alley. $25 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Trumpeter Jon Crowley is starting to make a name for himself in New York's crowded jazz scene, where he leads his own group and has performed with heavyweights like John Scofield. Crowley's quartet will perform on Thursday at Twins Jazz. Call 202-234-0072 for set time and cover information.
>> Three Stars alum Will Rast leads his jazz funk band, Funk Ark on Friday at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. Also on the bill is Brooklyn's electro-rock outfit, ZXL. 10:30 p.m. $5
>> Baltimore's Todd Marcus leads an excellent jazz orchestra that we profiled some time ago. In addition to that larger ensemble, he performs in smaller groups. On Friday and Saturday, he will perform at Twins Jazz with a quartet that features pianist Larry Willis, a former member of Blood, Sweat & Tears.
>> Drummer Ralph Peterson is a versatile and seasoned player who leads a number of groups. On Friday and Saturday at Bohemian Caverns, he will lead Unity, a group featuring organist Pat Bianchi. 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. $18
>> The Rez Bluez All-Starz is a group of Native American blues musicians that combine the soul of the blues with sounds from their respective tribal cultures. They will perform on Sunday at the Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. Free
>> There are very few full time big bands in the country. Thanks to the military, a good number of them are based in D.C. The U.S. Army Blues, the Army's premiere jazz ensemble, will perform on Monday at the Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. Free
>> In 1998, vocalist Tierney Sutton was a semi-finalist in the prestigious Thelonius Monk Competition and she went on to receive a Grammy nomination in 2005. She will be playing 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley on Monday. $30 +$12.50 minimum/surcharge
>> The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra performs in a variety of different configurations, in addition to its fine big band. On Tuesday, the SMJO septet will perform at Blues Alley in tribute to the late Johnny Hodges, longtime saxophonist for Duke Ellington. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge
>> Saxophonist Braxton Cook is one of the area's most promising young jazz musicians, having been selected to perform at the Grammy's with a group of 30 high school musicians from across the country. Catch this up-and-comer next Tuesday at Twins Jazz. Call 202-234-0072 for set time and cover information.