Ubiquitous area saxophonist Brad Linde is all over the place this week, playing deconstructed holiday music and more. Photo by Matt Dunn.>> Allyn Johnson is, without a doubt, among the best pianists around. Also an accomplished educator, the D.C. native has been serving as a mentor to this season’s Artists-in-Residence at Strathmore. Some of his protégés will join him tonight as a takes the stage at the Strathmore Mansion for a 7:30 p.m. set. Tickets $15.30-$17.
>> Kermit Ruffins & The BBQ Swingers bring their good time New Orleans sound to The Hamilton‘s dance floor tonight for a bill that includes Snarky Puppy’s Cory Henry and his band. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $25-$30.
>> Batida Diferente, a band comprised of area veterans, brings its take on classic Brazilian jazz to Twins Jazz tonight. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Hammond organist Brian Charette leads his trio tonight at Blues Alley, performing arrangements of holiday classics by greats like Jimmy Smith and Don Patterson. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $22.50 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Medeski Martin & Wood have been at the crossroads of jazz, avant-garde, and the jam band scene since forming back in 1991. With 1997’s A Go Go, the trio began an on-again/off-again collaboration with legendary jazz guitarist John Scofield, which resulted in a 2014 album, Juice. The quartet plays the 9:30 Club on Thursday. 7 p.m. doors. Tickets $35.
>> New York-based pianist Jason Yeager brings his trio to Twins Jazz on Thursday for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. The group is touring in support of its second release on Greg Osby’s Inner Circle Music label, Affirmation!. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Michael Bowie, one of D.C.’s finest bassists, gave a true gem to our jazz scene when he assembled Sine Qua Non. The quintet includes pannist Victor Provost, saxophonist Lyle Link, drummer Mark Prince, and percussionist Sam Turner. The band, which draws from a number of international genres, plays Dukem Jazz on Thursday along with guest vocalist Lori Williams. 9 p.m. No cover.
>> The Feedel Band brings its infectious blend of Ethiopian music and jazz to the Bossa Bistro & Lounge on Thursday. 9 p.m. $5 cover.
>> Legendary latin jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval arrives at Blues Alley on Thursday night to kick off a four night stand of 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $45 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Area pianist/vocalist Eric Byrd pays tribute to the great Ray Charles with a septet comprised of the DMV’s finest on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> Trumpeter DeAndre Shaifer is a fixture in the local jazz community. He will lead a band of local all-stars that includes Allyn Johnson and Michael Bowie on Friday at Bohemian Caverns. Tickets $18 in advance/$23 at the door.
>> A highly respected performer and music educator, Tony Martucci has spent decades as a first call drummer for many of the region’s top jazz bandleaders. He steps out on his own this Friday and Saturday to lead a group through 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Pianist, composer and educator Ran Blake has had a highly successful career spanning almost 50 years. He will lead a performance and masterclass on Saturday at the Atlas. The educational portion will involve Blake leading a group of established musicians, which includes area saxophonist Brad Linde, as they work through concepts from his recent book, Primacy of the Ear. 2 to 4 p.m. Tickets $15.
>> The Baltimore Symphony Pops Orchestra will perform Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker on Saturday at the Music Center at Strathmore. While Duke’s take on the Tchaikovsky favorite can be heard throughout the holidays, the original choreography from the popular D.C. troupe, Step Afrika!, will surely set this show apart from others. 4 p.m. Tickets $20-$40.
>> The Chicago Jazz Orchestra has become an institution in the Windy City since its founding in 1978. On Saturday, the big band will appear at the Kennedy Center‘s Terrace Theater for an evening of standards with vocalists Allan Harris and Dee Alexander. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets. Tickets $32.
>> Saxophonist Herb Scott is a familiar voice in D.C. He has served as an Artist-in-Residence at Bohemian Caverns and now returns to the club as a leader for a pair of Saturday night sets. His band includes top flight area musicians such as pianist Nobel Jolley and bassist Blake Meister. 8 and 10 p.m. Tickets $18 in advance/$23 at the door.
>> Brad Linde leads a 10-piece chamber ensemble through A Post-Cool Yule on Saturday at the Atlas. The program features deconstructed and re-imagined holiday classics, including a recitation of ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas set to a special holiday conduction/game piece performance. 10 p.m. Tickets $20-$32.
>> Trombone Shorty continues the jazz-funk tradition created by the parade bands of his hometown, New Orleans, but also adds a swagger that comes from hip-hop and other contemporary influences. He will bring his band, Orleans Avenue, to 9:30 Club on Saturday and Sunday. Both nights are sold out, so visit Craigslist if you want to hang.
>> The amazing Robert Glasper Experiment is playing The Birchmere on Sunday, but it’s sold out, so visit Craig. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $49.50.
>> Fear the ubiquity of Brad Linde as the busy area saxophonist continues his weekend of music with another performance on Sunday at Twins Jazz. This show presents his Dixieland jazz outfit, Dix Out, as they play a round of holiday favorites. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus food and drink minimum.
>> Blue Monday Blues hosts vocalist Nadine Rae and her band. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> The Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra‘s Monday night performances at the historic club are among the best bang-for-your-buck as far as D.C.’s live music scene go, offering 17 of the best local musicians for two sets at just $10. About this time of year, the band starts peppering its book with seasonal faves. Plus, guess who co-leads the band? You got it, Brad Linde. 8 to 11 p.m. Tickets $10.
>> Tedd Baker is most often seen playing saxophone with the Airmen of Note, the premiere jazz ensemble of the U.S. Air Force. He is also a sought after sideman who has performed with the likes of George Duke and David Sanborn. He will spend December honing his bandleader skills as the Bohemian Caverns Artist-in-Residence. Baker will play 7:30 and 9 p.m. sets every Tuesday. Tickets $10 in advance/$15 at the door.
>> Star smooth jazz saxophonist Dave Koz brings his holiday tour to the Music Center at Strathmore on Tuesday. 8 p.m. Tickets $34-$85.
>> Veteran area saxophonist Marty Nau continues his run of Tuesday nights at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Trombonist Eric Felten brings his big band to Blues Alley on Tuesday for its annual performance of Duke Ellington’s arrangement of The Nutcracker Suite. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $27.50 plus minimum and surcharge.
