Dan Tepfer>> Chances are that you’ve never heard the harmonica as it’s played by Frederic Yonnet. Blending disparate genres into his amazing technique, it’s no wonder this cat has played with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Branford Marsalis, Erykah Badu, and Prince. Yonnet will be performing tonight at the Strathmore Mansion. 7:30 p.m. $17
>> Guitarist Sanjay Mishra, a native of India now based in the U.S., has long been fusing music from the subcontinent with the western styles he explored while a student at Baltimore’s Peabody Conservatory. Mishra will once again blend east and west at Blues Alley tonight, with a group that features both American and South Asian musicians. Tickets to the 8 and 10 p.m. sets are $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Three Stars alum Brad Linde leads his quintet itonight n a salute to Gigi Gryce, one of jazz’s most underrated alto players. The band will be at U-topia, and will feature Joe Herrera (trumpet), Rodney Richardson (guitar), Andrew Cox (bass), and David McDonald (drums). 9 p.m. No cover
>> Nicholas Payton is a New Orleans trumpeter in the tradition of Bolden, Armstrong, and Marsalis. Once a young lion, but now an established veteran, watch him continue to forge his own path on Thursday and Friday at Blues Alley. Tickets to the 8 and 10 p.m. sets are $30 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Vibist/drummer Chuck Redd is a regular on the local scene, and an instructor at the University of Maryland. He’ll be leading a group on Friday night at the Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. Free
>> McCoy Tyner made his name playing piano with John Coltrane’s famed quartet in the 1960s. Over his 40+ year career, he has become a bona fide jazz master, known for a sophisticated sense of harmony rooted in the blues. Tyner will be playing at the Kennedy Center on Friday night with the Howard University Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Fred Irby III. Tickets to the 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets are sold out, but it’s worth contacting the box office for last minute openings.
>> Vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater is a consummate musician, combining respect for tradition with a forward looking approach and formidable chops. Bridgewater will pay tribute to the great Billie Holiday on Friday at the Music Center at Strathmore. 8 p.m. $28 – $72
>> At just 27-years old, pianist Dan Tepfer has already played with cool jazz icon Lee Konitz and trailblazing drummer Paul Motian, among many others. Catch this critically acclaimed musician headline this Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz, where his backing band will be Three Stars alum Brad Linde‘s quartet. Tickets to the 9 and 11 p.m. sets are $15.
