Joel Holmes>> Tonight, 22-year old pianist and recent Juilliard grad Jonathan Batiste will be performing at the Strathmore's Gudelsky Concert Gazebo as part of its summer concert series. 7 p.m. Free >> Stickman, a local jazz-fusion outfit that made a name for itself through the 1990s reunites tonight at Blues Alley for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. The band features Peter Fraize, head of GW's jazz program, on saxophone, drummer and Ellington School faculty......

Omega Bugembe Okello >> Local mainstays The Redd Brothers, led by vibist Chuck Redd and pianist Robert Redd, celebrate the release of their latest album tonight at Blues Alley. Tickets to the 8 and 10 p.m. sets are $18 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge. >> On Thursday, head down to the Bossa Bistro & Lounge to check out recent Three Stars alum John Lee, as he plays with Improviso, a group that blends the improvisation of......

Orchestra Baobab >> Tenor saxophonist and local native Elijah Balbed leads a group tonight at Twins Jazz. Call 202-234-0072 for set time and cover information. >> We already told you how much we loved their latest album, Made in Dakar, so now is your chance to catch Orchestra Baobab live. They will be performing in the dance hall at the Birchmere tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. $37.50 + Ticketmaster fees. >> Saxophonist and local favorite......

The Mancuso-Suzda Project >> One of the freshest jazz drummers to emerge in the past decade, Ari Hoenig leads a burnin' trio through 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Wednesday at Blues Alley. Tickets are $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge. >> Three Stars alums The Mancuso-Suzda Project will host a CD release party + performance on Wednesday at the Mansion at Strathmore. The show will include special guest MC Christylez Bacon and vibist Chuck Redd.......

>> Local saxophonist Stan Killian returns to Twins Jazz tonight along with pianist Harry Appleman, bassist Eric Wheeler, and drummer Eric Kennedy. Call 202-234-0072 for set time and cover information. >> Trumpeter Terence Blanchard must consider D.C. a second home. Last year we saw him play here twice, and this Thursday he returns to Blues Alley to start a four night run of daily 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets are $27.50 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.......

Eastern Blok>> Vocalist Kathleen Grace is touted as the perfect blend of jazz vocalist and singer/songwriter. Her formidable talents will be on display tonight at Blues Alley. Tickets to the 8 and 10 p.m. sets are $18 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge. >> Drummer Brian Choper leads the Choper Jazz Project tonight at Twins Jazz. Call 202-234-0072 for set times and cover information. >> Tomorrow night, Serbian guitar virtuoso Goran Ivanovic leads Eastern Blok (pictured) at......

>> Tonight's pick takes place at Bohemian Caverns, as Three Stars alum Will Rast leads his smokin' 11-piece band, Funk Ark, through two sets. Tickets are $10, 8 and 10 p.m. sets. >> The words "smooth," "jazz," and "violin," rarely ever appear in the same sentence, but well traveled bowman Michael Ward connects the dots tonight at Blues Alley. Tickets to the 8 and 10 p.m. sets are $25 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge. >> Drummer Brian......

>> Tonight, Chicago's freewheeling fusion quartet Hudson pays a visit to Busboys & Poets. 9 p.m. $10 >> The big event of the week is the 13th Annual Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival at the Kennedy Center, which begins on Thursday and runs through Saturday. In addition to a series of free shows on the Millennium Stage, the event features a lineup of world class artists at its ticketed events. Highlights include performances......

>> Tonight, the Washington Performing Arts Society presents the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of the one and only Wynton Marsalis. Tickets to the 8 p.m. show at the Kennedy Center's concert hall are sold out, but you can try contacting the box office for last minute availability. $40-$85 >> Guitar legend Alan Holdsworth, who was at the fore of the jazz-rock fusion scene of the 1970s, plays at the Birchmere tonight at......

>> Saxophonist Charlie Young, a lecturer at Howard, tours and performs regularly with both the Duke Ellington Jazz Orchestra and the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. Tonight, he leads his own group at Blues Alley. Tickets to the 8 and 10 p.m. sets are $18 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge. >> Piano sensation Brad Mehldau performs tonight at the Barns at Wolf Trap. His rhythm section includes drumming phenom Jeff Ballard and renowned bassist Larry Grenadier. Tickets to......

'Tis a happy day here at DCist HQ, jazz lovers! This Week in Jazz made its debut on D.C.'s best web site one year ago this week. We hope you've enjoyed the weekly listing and that it has inspired you to check out some of the fine improvisational music we have in our nation's capital. So without further ado, let's get to this week's agenda. >> Tonight is the 5th Annual Congressional Blues Festival, held......

>> This DCist does not even try to hide his unabashed bias for South India's Carnatic music. Catch one of the genre's finest vocal improvisers, M.S. Sheela, performing tonight on the Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. Free >> Richmond-based guitarist Joshua Walker will throw down tonight at Twins Jazz. Walker has studied with some of the biggest names in jazz and has performed throughout the country. Call 202-234-0072 for set time and cover information. >> Underappreciated......

>> Ballrogg, a Norwegian duo comprised of woodwind player Klaus Ellerhusen Holm and bassist Roger Arntzen, plays a spacious form of free jazz that is an influential part of the scene in northern Europe. They are playing Blues Alley tonight at 8 and 10 p.m. Tickets are $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge. >> Also tonight, the Potomac Jazz Project, led by bassist Stan Hamrick, performs at Twins Jazz. The group specializes in classic standards from the......

>> An annual highlight of the Kennedy Center's educational outreach is the Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead program. The program identifies outstanding emerging artists and brings them together under the tutelage of experienced artist-instructors who coach and counsel them. Carter, the late, legendary vocalist, began the program in New York in 1993, but it was brought under the auspices of the Kennedy Center in 1998. Tonight, tomorrow, and Friday, the Millennium Stage will showcase the 2008......

>> Tonight, head on over to the Bossa Bistro & Lounge to check out Alfredo Mojica's Latin Jazz Project at 10 p.m. No cover >> New York based saxophonist and composer Brian VanArsdale has been making waves with his latest album, From the Heart. This up-and-coming performer will be at Twins Jazz tomorrow night in support of this recent release. Call 202-234-0072 for set times and cover information. >> A prodigal son returns to the......

>> It's been a while since we've mentioned this, but young musicians or any fan of local jazz should make it a point to check out the jam sessions that take place all over the city. HR-57 hosts jazz jams every Wednesday and Thursday ($8 for general admission, $4 for participants) from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m., along with a blues jam every Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m (free). In addition, Twins Jazz hosts......

>> A regular at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge, local vocalist Heidi Martin is scaling up to Blues Alley tonight. Her band will feature DeAndre Shaifer, Kris Funn, and John Lamkin. The first set will consist mainly of standards, but the second set is going to concentrate on original material. Tickets to the 8 and 10 p.m. sets are $18 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge. Martin will also play every Tuesday in March at Bohemian Caverns. The......

>> Guitarist Tim Miller, a professor at the respected Berklee College of Music, comes to Twins Jazz tonight with his distinctive tone and sense of composition. Call (202) 234-0072 for set time and cover information. >> Smooth jazz saxophonist Andre Ward comes to Blues Alley on Thursday for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets are $20 + $12.50 food/drink minimum. >> It's not often that we get a chance to see an sax/organ/drums trio, but......

>> Bay Area fixtures Tangria bring their eclectic sound to Twins Jazz tonight. Call 202-234-0072 for set time and cover information. >> Jazz influenced singer-songwriter Jon Regen will perform 8 and 10 p.m. sets tonight at Blues Alley. Tickets are $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge. >> Soul-jazz songstress Rachelle Ferrell, one of music's most versatile singers, performs at the Birchmere on Thursday for a 7:30 p.m. set. Tickets are $59.50+Ticketmaster fees. >> Local guitarist Pablo Grabiel......

>> Tonight, the Bossa Bistro & Lounge features two bands. Alfred Mojica's Latin Jazz Project plays downstairs, while Mobius brings the funk upstairs. The music starts at 10 p.m. on both levels, no cover. >> Of course, it's Valentine's Day on Thursday, and while some of us might be on the verge of setting a record for consecutive V-Days as a single person, we also recognize there are those who want to have a night......

>> It's hard not to smile when you're in the same room as a smokin' Latin band. Head over to Twins Jazz to catch As Criaturas, which features some of the finest samba musicians in the city. The band features guitarist/vocalist Kevin do Violao, Pablo do Cavaco on cavaquinho, vocalist Silvia Zwi, percussionist Max Salgastizado, and first-call local drummer Francis Thompson. Call (202) 234-0072 for set time and cover information. >> Thursday night, Virginia-based saxophonist......

>> Tonight, Rev.Elation pays tribute to the great vibraphonist Milt Jackson at Blues Alley. The band features Jackson's own rhythm section, drummer Mikey Roker, bassist Bob Cranshaw, pianist Mike LeDonne, along with local vibist Chuck Redd. Tickets to the 8 and 10 p.m. sets are $25 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge. >> As we previewed yesterday, tonight Twins Jazz features the otherworldly sounds of New York's Prana Trio. 8 p.m. to midnight. $10. >> Blues Alley goes......

>> The Israeli Jazz Series at Blues Alley concludes tonight with a combo led by siblings Anat and Avishai Cohen. Woodwind player Anat Cohen is a member of Diva, New York’s burning all female big band, while the younger trumpeter Cohen is starting to make waves on his own after cutting his teeth as a sideman all over New York. 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets are $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge. >> Tonight's show......

>> Celebrated vocal/guitar duo Tuck and Patti come to Blues Alley tonight for a four night stand. Tickets to the daily 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets are $27.50 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge. Advance purchase required. >> As we mentioned yesterday, the National Geographic Live! Thursday concert series begins Thursday at 6 p.m. with the Kelley Johnson Quartet and Universes. Free >> Guitarist Mark Mosely brings a fine group to Twins Jazz this Friday and Saturday......

>> Our first pick of the week is first rate local drummer Tony Martucci (pictured). A member of Three Stars alums Jeff Antoniuk and the Jazz Update, tonight he will be leading his own group for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. He will be performing with a cast of stellar local musicians that will include wind player Lyle Link, bassist Tommy Cecil, and pianist Harry Appelman. >> On Thursday, saxophonist Stephen......

While there are some great shows coming up in January, this week is still subject to holiday doldrums. Here are a few shows to check out. >> Tomorrow, vocalist/pianist Mose Allison comes to Blues Alley to begin a four night stand with daily 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. It is common for touring jazz acts to hire local rhythm sections, and concert goers will be treated to two of D.C.'s finest in bassist Tommy......

>> Beginning tonight, piano legend Ahmad Jamal (pictured with bassist James Cammack) continues his annual tradition of closing each year with a week-long residence at Blues Alley. Daily 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets begin tonight and run through Sunday. Tickets are $30 + $12.50 surcharge/drink minimum. On New Year's Eve, the Keter Betts memorial band, which includes celebrated guitarist Paul Bollenback and local drumming ace Lenny Robinson, will join Jamal to ring in 2008......

>> Blues Alley's Christmas music extravaganza continues tonight with The Redd Brothers, a group led by vibraphonist Chuck Redd and pianist Robert Redd. Sets are at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tickets are $18 + $12.50 surcharge/minimum. >> If smooth jazz is your thing, head down to the Birchmere tonight to hear Boney James play selections off his latest release, Christmas Present. Tickets to the 7:30 p.m. show are sold out, but that's what Craigslist......

>> Tonight, the Alliance Francaise and Twins Jazz present the Dupont T quartet, a group led by bassist Hubert Dupont, a major player in the jazz scene in Paris. Tickets to the 8 and 10:30 p.m. sets are $20. Discounted tickets are available to Alliance members. >> Marshall Allen (pictured) is a long-time member of the influential avant-garde outfit, the Sun Ra Arkestra. Tonight, Allen brings his own group to George Washington Univ, Phillips Hall,......

>> Tonight, New York based woodwind player Rob Jacoby comes to Twins Jazz for an evening of straight ahead jazz. Call (202) 234-0072 for set time and cover information. >> The Big Apple sends another one of its gifted talents to Twins. Daniela Schaechter, a skilled composer, vocalist, and pianist, has already wan numerous awards including the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Piano Competition 2005, The Sister in Jazz Competition 2002, and the Betty Carter’s Jazz......