Lyle Link.

>> At just 21 years old, saxophonist Elijah Jamal Balbed is already one of the busiest players in the area, leading several bands and playing as a sideman with many of D.C.’s top young musicians. He’ll be leading his own group tonight at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.

>> Jeff Antoniuk & The Jazz Update (***) will be performing a program of mostly original music tonight at U-Topia. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. No cover.

>> Smooth jazz saxophonist Dee Lucas performs 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley tonight. $18 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.

>> At the intersection of U.S. Highways 61 and 49, as legend would have it, Robert Johnson made a pact with the devil in order to become the greatest blues guitarist the world had ever known. This year marks the centennial of this mysterious legend’s birth, and the Strathmore will celebrate with a program titled Blues at the Crossroads. The concert will featuring a number of prominent blues acts, including David “Honeyboy” Edwards, who claims to have been playing with Johnson the night he died. Tickets to the 8 p.m. show are $22.50 to $40.50.

>> Saxophonist Marshall Keys has long been a regular face on the local scene. He’ll be at Jazz Night in Southwest with a talented group that includes excellent keyboardist Federico Pena, whose touring credits include SMV, as well as R&B artists Me’shell N’degeocello, and Maxwell. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.

>> Two D.C. powerhouses, saxophonist Ron Holloway and bassist Gary Grainger, team up for a funkified jam session on Friday at Ragtime in Arlington. 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Call 703-243-4003 for cover information.

>> An alum of the jazz program at the University of Maryland, saxophonist Lyle Link has spent over a decade playing with all of the top musicians in the area. He’ll be leading a quartet through 9 and 11 p.m. sets on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. The band will include DCist fave Allyn Johnson on piano. Tickets are $15 + $12 minimum/surcharge.