Cedar Walton

>> Guitarist Tom Lagana has spent the past decade performing regularly between D.C., Baltimore, and Annapolis. He’ll bring a group to Blues Alley tonight in support of his latest album, Schematic, which features the brilliant saxophonist George Garzone. Tickets to the 8 and 10 p.m. sets are $18 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.

>> District native Mychael Pollard, a pianist who goes by the moniker Mic-P while playing with his hip-hop group Tri-flava and with Grammy nominee Christylez (***), is also a skilled jazzer. He’ll lead a group on Thursday at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10.

>> Over the course of her 40-year career, vocalist Marlena Shaw has not only been compared to legends like Sarah Vaughan and Dinah Washington, but was also one of the originals to straddle the line between jazz and R&B. She’ll begin a four-night stand of 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley on Thursday. Tickets are $27.50 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.

>> Named a 2010 NEA Jazz Master, pianist Cedar Walton made his name in the early 60’s playing with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. He is behind many compositions that have become jazz standards, the most well-known of which is the classic, “Bolivia.” Walton will pay a visit to the historic Bohemian Caverns on Friday and Saturday, playing 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets with a band that includes saxophonist Javon Jackson, who also cut his teeth playing with Blakey toward the end of the great drummer’s life. Tickets are $35.