There is a lot of great jazz coming up in the D.C. area throughout the next week, much of which is FREE, an important word here at DCist. Of course, the big news for jazz aficionados is the annual Big Band Jam, which began on April 20 and runs through April 29. We already told you about the service bands playing at Blues Alley, but there are many other shows to check out. Here are some highlights:

>> The Sylvan Theater, on the grounds of the Washington Monument, will host free daily concerts tonight through Sunday [Update: Saturday’s events at Sylvan have been canceled]. Tonight’s concert will feature jazz bands from several local colleges while local high school ensembles will be featured on Thursday and Friday. Local community and semi-professional groups perform on Saturday. The Sylvan’s program culminates on Sunday with must see showcase of international talent. The International Jazz Jam features everything from traditional vocalists to more avant-garde work. Highlights from this show include SOLID!, a group redefining the possibilities of the jazz organ trio, Amina Figarova, a talented and prolific pianist/composer hailing from the Netherlands, and the Dainius Pulauskas Group, a genre blending Lithuanian ensemble. The concerts Wednesday-Saturday run 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. while Sunday’s program is from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The full schedule of performances is available here.

>> The famed One O’ Clock Band from the University of North Texas, the number one big band from the top university jazz program in the country, is in town for several performances. These future torch bearers of jazz are performing 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley Wednesday through Saturday. The group will also give a free performance at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage on Saturday at 6 p.m.