Saxophonist Tim Warfield has been a familiar face in the District for 20 years, having spent two years at Howard University and performing regularly here ever since. His break came in 1991, when he was featured on Tough Young Tenors, a compilation of young tenor saxophonists that was chosen as one of that year’s top ten jazz recordings by The New York Times. Also in ’91, Warfield placed third in the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition, tying Chris Potter and placing behind Joshua Redman. Not bad company.

Warfield, along with Potter and Redman, spent the rest of the ’90s among a crew of up and coming musicians who infused a wealth of new talent into jazz, similar to what Wynton Marsalis and his contemporaries had done a decade prior. Today, Warfield records regularly, tours with his own group and with trumpeter Terell Stafford, and also serves on the faculty at Messiah College. After two decades on the scene, he is an established pro, and not the young lion he once was.

“I can’t believe I’m no longer in this category,” joked Warfield during a recent interview with DCist.

Now Warfield finds himself in a position to provide mentorship and a platform to showcase today’s young talent, as will be the case when he comes to Bohemian Caverns this Friday and Saturday. His band will feature drummer Chris Beck and trumpeter Tim Thompson, both students of Stafford at Temple University, as well as pianist Neil Podgurski. Warfield encountered Eric Wheeler when he picked the local bassist from a list of suggestions for a gig in D.C., and has been playing with him ever since. Vibraphonist Stefon Harris, who paid a recent visit to the Kennedy Center, credits Warfield for the opportunity to make his first jazz recording, and will be a special guest this weekend.