Ben Williams, photo by Simone Eccleston.>> Every year, the Kennedy Center’s Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead program brings the country’s most talented young musicians to D.C. for a week-long residency with tutelage from some of jazz’s greats. Catch these fine young players tonight through Friday on the Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. Free.
>> Guitarist Nadav Remez plays an intriguing combination of modern jazz, alt-rock and Jewish folk music. He is on tour with his band celebrating the release of his latest album, So Far. They will be at Twins Jazz tonight for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> French pianist Michel LeGrand is a jazz legend in Europe and is best known in this country for his score to the 1968 film, The Thomas Crown Affair, which features the standard, “Windmills of Your Mind.” He will perform 8 and 10 p.m. sets tonight and tomorrow at Blues Alley. $50 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Ramzy and the Brothers Handsome combine spoken word, soulful grooves and improvised explorations in an infectious combination of music, politics and activism. They’ll be at Twins Jazz on Thursday for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Longtime local regular Antonio Parker leads a group on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest, which will also feature trumpeter Thad Wilson. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> The 7th Annual Big Band Jam runs from April 15-24 and features local student ensembles and well-known acts. Visit the website for the full schedule of events.
>> D.C. native, graduate of the Ellington School of the Arts and winner of the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition in 2009, bassist Ben Williams is a rising star in the jazz world. Now based out of New York, the young musician has played with the likes of Stefon Harris, Jacky Terrason and a host of others. He returns to the area for 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets at the Kennedy Center‘s KC Jazz Club on Friday. Tickets are $16 + fees.
>> Blending the songs of contemporary rock and pop with a huge dose of verve and energy, pianist Eric Lewis is making waves in the jazz world. He’ll return to HR-57 this Friday and Saturday to celebrate the several-times-delayed grand opening of the club’s new H Street NE location. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $20.
>> Dave Brubeck needs no introduction, and has had no need for one since his group recorded the classic “Take Five” in 1959. He begins a four-night stand of 8 p.m. sets on Friday at Blues Alley. Good luck finding one of the $150 tickets.
>> Vocalist Michaela Harrison performs regularly around her native city of New Orleans, and will make a stop in the District on Friday with 9 and 11 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. $15 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> As we said yesterday in our full preview, vocalist Gretchen Parlato will be at Bohemian Caverns this Friday and Saturday for 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets. $25 in advance / $30 at the door.
>> The Strathmore‘s Family Discovery Series continues on Saturday with Discover Blues, a program led by instructor Daryl Davis in which he will discuss the history of the blues. Designed for parents and children age 6 and up. 2 p.m. $10.
>> On Saturday afternoon, Liv Nightclub (located upstairs at Bohemian Caverns) will host Sacred Conversations, where baritone saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett will be accompanied by distinguished scholar, author and activist Dr. Acklyn Lynch, and master percussionist Okyerema Asante. Tickets to the 2 p.m. show are $25 in advance, $30 at the door.
>> On Saturday, saxophonist Brad Linde will lead his group with featured vocalist Lena Seikaly at 3 p.m. in the Kogod Courtyard of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The band will pay tribute to the great Ella Fitzgerald.
>> A native of Kyrgyzstan, Eldar is one of the most technically gifted pianists on the scene today, and had four albums under his belt by the age of 22. He’ll be at the Kennedy Center‘s KC Jazz Club on Saturday for 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets. Tickets are $26 + fees.
>> Taking after his uncle, the world renowned Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has become one of the leading proponents of qawwali, a form of Sufi music that originates in the Punjab and Sindh regions of India and Pakistan. Khan will be performing on Saturday at the Warner Theatre. 8 p.m. $37 to $127.
The Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra celebrates its one-year anniversary this month.>> Five of the country’s best collegiate jazzers will perform on the Millennium Stage this Sunday as part of the Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet. 6 p.m. Free. The band will also perform free 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley on Friday and Sunday, as well as 9 and 11 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz on Saturday ($15 + $10 food/drink minimum).
>> Local vocalist Julie Mack will team up with pianist Amy K. Bormet, bassist Zack Pride and drummer Leland Nakamura at Twins Jazz on Sunday for an evening of straight-ahead and Brazilian standards in honor of Jazz Appreciation Month. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> The Sunday Jazz Lounge, curated by guitarist Rodney Richardson and trumpeter Joe Herrera continues this week at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge with special guest pianist Dan Roberts. 9 p.m. $5.
>> Blue Monday Blues will host singer/guitarist Cathy Ponton King and her band. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> Last week, the excellent Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra — one of the best live music deals in town — began celebrating its one-year anniversary with a live recording to capture the energy of its weekly performance. The party continues on Monday with a show that will be broadcast live on WPFW 89.3 FM. Attendees will receive a free slice of cake and glass of champagne, courtesy of the band and its supporters. 8 p.m. $7.
>> Saxophonist Brad Linde‘s Dialogues and Duets series continues at Twins Jazz on Tuesday, featuring saxophonist Brian Settles and bassist James King. 8 p.m. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
