Lee Konitz

>> Our top pick this week takes place tonight at Blues Alley, and pairs a jazz legend with one of the District’s own. NEA Jazz Master Lee Konitz recently began a collaboration with Three Stars alum Brad Linde, who assembled a big band for the show. The program includes music from Miles Davis’s 1949 classic, Birth of the Cool, which featured Konitz. Tickets to the 8 and 10 p.m. sets are $25 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.

>> Still in high school, drummer Aaron Seeber has won a number of awards, and was a finalist for the 2010 Grammy Jazz Ensemble. He’ll be leading a group of young talents tonight at Twins Jazz. 8 p.m. $10

>> Of course Thursday is Tax Day, so the Smithsonian American Art Museum, as part of its Take Five! series, presents A Tribute to the Tax Man with singer-songwriter-pianist Sandy Asirvatham along with seasoned players Frank Russo, Max Murray, and Three Stars alum Jeff Antoniuk. 5 p.m. Free

>> Unbuckled alum Matt Grason leads his live House band, House of Soul, on Thursday at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. The group features Three Stars alum Charles Ostle on drums, keyboardist Jon Ozment, and vocalist Rochelle Rice. 10 p.m. $3

>> Three Stars alum Thad Wilson leads a fine quintet this Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. $5

>> In 1961, pianist Dave Brubeck released “Take Five,” probably one of the top 2 or 3 most memorable jazz themes of all time. Still going strong after all these years, he begins a four night stand at Blues Alley on Friday. Good luck finding any of the $110 dollar tickets.

>> A 2010 jazz ambassador for the State Department, drummer Nasar Abadey is a mainstay of the local jazz community. Catch his group this Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. Tickets to the 9 and 11 p.m. sets are $15 + $12 minimum/surcharge.