Marcus Strickland, photo by Jimmy Katz

>> Up-and-coming saxophone sensation Marcus Strickland lent his sound to Mos Def on Sunday night. Tonight, he’ll be leading his own group through 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. Tickets are $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.

>> Minor Thoughts is a Washington, D.C. based band with a repertoire of straight ahead standards, post bop and Latin influenced jazz. They’ll be performing on Thursday night at Twins Jazz. Call 202-234-0072 for set time and cover information.

>> Jazz-fusion heavyweights Spyro Gyra have been on the scene for decades and were forerunners to what eventually became known as smooth jazz. The group begins a four night stand at Blues Alley on Thursday. Tickets to the 8 and 10 p.m. sets are $43 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.

>> Local mainstay Jacques “Saxman” Johnson leads a band this Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. The ensemble will feature Ellington High School jazz director Davey Yarborough, saxophonist Lyle Link, and others. 6 to 9 p.m. $5

>> Veteran band Hiroshima brings it’s world jazz to the Birchmere on Friday at 7:30 p.m. $39.50 + Ticketmaster fees.

>> Kevin Mahogany visits the worlds of R&B, boogie woogie, blues, and jazz on Friday at the Kennedy Center with his Kansas City Revue. The K.C. native will perform alongside the Godfathers of Groove and vocalist Kathy Kosins. Tickets to the 7:30 and 9:30 sets are sold out, but it’s worth contacting the box office for last minute availability.

>> Guitarist Johnathan Hreisberg has toured as a sideman with some of jazz’s best. This Friday and Saturday, he’ll be leading a group with organist Gary Versace and drummer Mark Ferber at Twins Jazz. Tickets to the 9 and 11 p.m. sets are $16 + $10 minimum.