Ben Williams

>> D.C. native Ben Williams, the gifted young bassist who won the 2009 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition, will give a free outdoor performance this evening at Strathmore along with his group, Sound Effect. 7 p.m.

>> Three Stars alum Lenny Robinson leads his trio tonight at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets, $10.

>> This year, the U.S. State Department has partnered with Ecuador as part of its Jazz Envoys program, which is designed to foster cultural understanding through a jazz exchange, education and performance program. On Thursday, a quartet of Ecuadorian music students will perform on the Millennium Stage as part of Jazz Envoys. 6 p.m., free.

>> Pianist Alex Brown has blown us away on several occasions. He’ll be performing with his group on Thursday at Bohemian Caverns. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets are $12.

>> Dr. Kevin Jefferson, a podiatrist by day and a jazz trumpeter by night, will lead his quartet on Thursday at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets, $10.

>> Smooth jazz icons Pieces of a Dream begin a four-night stand of 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley on Thursday. Tickets are $37.50 + $12.50 drink minimum/surcharge.