The Cookers, a jazz supergroup whose members have amassed over 1,000 recording credits, appears tonight at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 17

Local jazz vocalist Julian Hipkins brings a band to Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.

Jon Gibson is a minimalist composer who was also a founding member of the Philip Glass ensemble. Tonight at Captial Fringe, his ensemble presents a live production of Visitations, a minimalist masterpiece originally recorded and tracked after hours at John Lennon’s home studio. Super Silver Haze and Luke Stewart open. 7:30 p.m. $15.

Dumpstaphunk brings the latest grooves from the Crescent City’s rich musical heritage to The Hamilton. 7:30 p.m. $23-$28.

Victor Provost‘s chosen instrument, the steel pan, is uncommon in the jazz world. That said, Provost has developed a technique and style that allows him to play everything from bebop to music that reflects his Caribbean heritage. This approach is on full display with his most recent album, Bright Eyes, a gorgeous recording that is deservedly making waves among critics. Though the album has been available for a while, the official D.C. release party takes place tonight at Blues Alley. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $22 plus minimum and surcharge.

Cincinnati’s Animal Mother is touring in support of its latest album, Golf, and plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. $10 plus minimum and surcharge.

The Cookers is a jazz supergroup comprised of Eddie Henderson, David Weiss, Donald Harrison, Billy Harper, George Cables, Cecil McBee, and Billy Hart. Its members have a combined 250 years of performing experience with over 1,000 recording credits. The band plays an 8 p.m. set tonight at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. $35 plus minimum and surcharge.

Born in Tigzirt-sur-Mer, Algeria, singer-songwriter Kamel Zennia‘s music is rooted in the Kabyle Berber culture. He will bring his rich sound to the Bossa Bistro & Lounge tonight. 9:30 p.m. $5 at the door.

THURSDAY, MAY 18

Vocalist Akua Allrich and pianist Mark Meadows are two of the finest artists D.C. has to offer. The two pair up for an intimate duo performance at Casa Phoenix. 6:30 doors/$7:30 show. $20.

After stints with Quincy Jones, Ramsey Lewis, Earth, Wind & Fire and his brother, Hubert Laws, saxophonist Ronnie Laws pioneered the mix of R&B and jazz that was eventually dubbed smooth jazz. His ensemble plays an 8 p.m. set at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. 8 p.m. $40 plus minimum and surcharge.

Drummer Ravish Momin is currently on a solo tour in which a combines drumset with live and sequenced electronics. He headlines a bill at Rhizome that includes Sam Weinberg, Bushmeat Airways, and Luke Stewart. 8 p.m. $10 at the door.

Trumpeter and Latin jazz legend Arturo Sandoval will be at Blues Alley to kick off a four-night run of 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $55-$60 plus minimum and surcharge.

Formed by its multilingual vocalist and band leader, Jean-Francis Varre, Sahel interprets musical genres influenced by African culture around the world. The band plays the Bossa Bistro & Lounge at 9:30 p.m. $10 at the door.

FRIDAY, MAY 19

Jazz in the Garden is one of D.C.’s most popular outdoor concert series, and its 17th season kicks off on Friday at the National Gallery of Art’s sculpture garden. This week’s performance features the Brazilian ensemble, Matuto. 5 to 8:30 p.m. FREE

Akua Allrich returns to Jazz Night in Southwest with her band, The Tribe, which is comprised of some of D.C.’s finest players. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.

Smooth jazz saxophonist Art Sherrod, Jr. celebrates the release of his new album, Back 2 Business, at AMP. 8 p.m. $25-$35.

Guitarist Kenny Wright leads a band at Mr. Henry’s. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.

Rhizome hosts Mako Sica, The Mantis, and Lost Civilizations Project. 8 p.m. $10 at the door.

Formed by brothers Joe and Lou Natale, Project Natale has been performing around the area since the late ’90s and have become a mainstay. The band will play 9 and 11 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz on Friday and Saturday. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.

Steel pannist Victor Provost performs tonight at Blues Alley (Photo via Facebook).

SATURDAY, MAY 20

Ranjani, an area vocalist that blends traditional South Indian classical music with other styles, plays Ebenezers Coffeehouse. 7 to 8 p.m. FREE

Vocalist Integriti Reeves plays The Alex from 8 to 11 p.m. $20 minimum, reservations recommended.

Theramin player Pamelia Stickney headlines an evening of experimental music at Rhizome that includes TL0741 and Olga. 8 p.m. $10 at the door.

Julia Nixon was one of the principals in the celebrated Broadway production of Dreamgirls. Her music straddles the line between jazz and R&B, and the WAMMIE and Helen Hayes award winner will perform an intimate show at Mr. Henry’s. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $14 to $19 with a $15 food and beverage minimum.

SUNDAY, MAY 21

Rhizome‘s African Diaspora series continues with Shodekeh, Yahya Abdul-Majid/Luke Stewart, More Than a Drum. 4 p.m. $10 in advance/$12 at the door.

Allyn Johnson has long been one of D.C.’s best pianists, perhaps even our favorite here at DCist. Johnson will play piano and organ with his band at Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.

Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society has altered its schedule. Area pianist Hope Udobi will perform on Sunday. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.

Trombonist Joe Fiedler is becoming a first-call player in New York’s cutthroat jazz scene. He is stepping out to lead his own bands, and his group comes to Twins Jazz for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 plus minimum and surcharge.

Subcontinental Groove is a loose group of veteran South Asian musicians from the local music community that assemble periodically for an evening of improvised jams. The collective will convene at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge in its downstairs stage. 8:30 p.m. FREE (Disclosure: I’ll be playing drums at this show).

MONDAY, MAY 22

And You Were There is a new art exhibit opening at Capital Fringe. The show features two of D.C.’s most esteemed visual artists and the inspiration they take from the local jazz scene. Michael Wilderman has been photographing local jazz events for years, and he has teamed up with artist Bill Warrell, who has created a series of paintings based on Wilderman’s photography. The opening reception is presented in conjunction with the DC Jazz Festival. 7 to 11 p.m. FREE

Legendary blues guitarist Robert Cray plays a 7:30 p.m. show at The Birchmere. $55.

Anacostia Delta was the name given to a style of guitar playing that evolved in D.C. with Danny Gatton and Roy Buchanon being its most celebrated practitioners. Gatton’s rhythm section teams up with guitarists Joel Harrison, David Chappell, and Anthony Pirog at Rhizome to pay tribute to these two local legends. 8 p.m. $10 at the door.

Pianist Gerald Clayton comes from a stellar jazz lineage, as his father is John Clayton, a venerated bass player. The younger Clayton comes to Blues Alley with drummer Kendrick Scott and bassist Joe Sanders to celebrate his new album, Tributary Tales. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $22.50 plus minimum and surcharge.

TUESDAY, MAY 23

Lena Seikaly is one of the area’s top vocalists and she’ll be at Blues Alley with special guest Chuck Redd, paying tribute to Ella Fitzgerald. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $22 plus minimum and surcharge.

Trombonist Shannon Gunn brings her Firebird Organ Trio, featuring Justin Taylor on organ and Allen Jones on drums, to Columbia Station. The group will interpret JJ Inc., the classic album by legendary trombonist J.J. Johnson. 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. FREE