This Week in Jazz
Hiromi
>> Vocalist Heidi Martin has been a familiar face on the local scene for some time. She'll be playing an early set at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge on Thursday. 7 p.m. Call 202-667-0088 for cover information. Later that night at 10 p.m., Bossa will host The Fourth Wall's regular night of avant-garde music, which will feature solo saxophonist Johnny Butler, and others.
>> A fine group of local veterans will be playing on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. The band will include pianist Wade Beach, trumpeter Michael Thomas, and others. 6 to 9 p.m. $5
>> Japanese piano phenom Hiromi blew us away at a recent appearance with Stanley Clarke's trio. She returns to Wolf Trap on Friday for a solo piano performance. Tickets to the 8 p.m. show are $25.
>> If burning Latin grooves are your thing, head over to Twins Jazz on Friday or Saturday where talented percussionist Rolando Matias leads his Afro-Rican Ensemble through 9 and 11 p.m. sets. Tickets are $15 + $12 minimum/surcharge.
>> Bohemian Caverns hosts talented Latin jazz saxophonist Luis Faife this Friday and Saturday. Tickets to the 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets are $15.
>> Saxophonist and smooth jazz superstar Walter Beasley has the unique distinction of the best selling music professor of all time. He will pay a visit to the Birchmere on Saturday night. 7:30 p.m. $37.50
>> Talented young vocalist Lena Seikaly just completed the Artist-in-Residence program at Strathmore. Folks in the District have a chance to catch this up-and-comer on Sunday at the Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. Free
>> On Monday, Sonic Circuits presents a triple bill at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge featuring Mountains, Tape, Kuschty Rye Ergot. 9 p.m. Call 202-667-0088 for cover information.
>> Veteran saxophonist Azar Lawrence has built a solid reputation based on nearly three decades of work. Catch this former McCoy Tyner and Frank Zappa sideman on Monday at Blues Alley. Tickets to the 8 and 10 p.m sets are $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Playful world jazz group Djesben will be playing the Bossa Bistro & Lounge on Tuesday night, featuring the unusual instrumentation of Chapman Stick, dulcimer, and percussion. 8:30 p.m. Call 202-667-0088 for cover information.
>> Baltimore native Tom Williams is most often seen playing with the U.S. Army Blues, the Army's premiere jazz ensemble. Prior to that, he also played in the Duke Ellington Orchestra, under the direction of Duke's son, Mercer Ellington. Catch this world class trumpeter leading his own group on Tuesday at Blues Alley. Tickets to the 8 and 10 p.m sets are $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.