Marc Cary.>> Phil Woods is one of the great alto saxophonists of the bebop era. His smooth and supple sound has influenced many, earning him the title of NEA Jazz Master. He will begin a four-night stand of 8 and 10 p.m. sets tonight at Blues Alley. Tonight through Friday, he’ll be playing with his own group and tickets are $45 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge. On Saturday, Woods will team up with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and vocalist Kim Nazarian in a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald. $55 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Pianist Freddie Redd is a living history of the hard bop era. Tonight, he will team up with local legend Butch Warren on bass at Twins Jazz to play selections from his score to the 1959 Living Theatre Production, The Connection, along with originals by Warren. This performance is meant to celebrate the New York City loft scene as documented by photographer W. Eugene Smith in the 1950s and ’60s. Redd and Warren are both loft veterans, and prior to the show they will participate in a discussion with jazz researchers Mike Fitzgerald and Bertrand Uberall. 7 p.m. $15.
>> Fresh off their stint as Artists-in-Residence at Strathmore, the Jolley Twins, pianist Noble and drummer Nate, will perform on the Millennium Stage on Thursday. 6 p.m. Free.
>> CapitalBop avant-garde writer Luke Stewart is also an accomplished bassist. He will lead his group, the 000 Trio, tomorrow at the Back Alley Theater (1365 Kennedy Street NW). Also on the bill are the experimental sounds of Ms. Sandy & Ms. Y.E.T and Weed Tree. 7 p.m. $10.
>> Emy Tseng is a local vocalist specializing in Brazilian jazz. She will be leading her group through 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Thursday at Twins Jazz. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Keyboardist Will Rast leads his Funk Ark on Thursday night at Eighteenth Street Lounge. Saxophonist Frank Mitchell Jr. will be a featured guest with the band. 9 p.m.
>> As we mentioned in yesterday’s interview, vocalist Andréa Wood will celebrate the release of her new album, Dhyana, on Thursday at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. 9:30 p.m. $5.
>> A talented cast of local players led by pianist Ernie Douglas will pay tribute to Kansas City’s role in jazz history on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> Nancy Wilson is a national treasure, and has spent over 50 years as one of the finest vocalists jazz has ever known. She no longer tours extensively, so those wanting to see the classic songstress in a rare area appearance should head to the Music Center at Strathmore on Friday for an 8 p.m. show. $38 to $68.
>> Founded in Cuba in 1952, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas are amongst the highest regarded percussionists in the world and are masters of Afro-Cuban ritual and rumba music and dance. They’re performing in the U.S. for the first time in 9 years and will be at G.W.’s Lisner Auditorium on Friday. 8 p.m. $25 to $35 + fees.
>> CapitalBop has yet to miss when it comes to presenting local jazz in a live setting. On Friday, the team presents a group dubbed the U Street All-Stars, an eight-piece ensemble comprised of D.C.’s most exciting young improvisers. The band will perform at The Bayou in Foggy Bottom. 10 p.m.
>> HR-57 hosts the Saltman-Knowles Quartet on Friday and Saturday. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $12.
>> Marc Cary is one of the most exciting pianists on the scene today. His Focus Trio features Sameer Gupta on tabla/drums and bassist Taurus Mateen. The band definitely left an impression after their performance at the 2010 D.C. Jazz Festival, and is a group to watch. They’ll play 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets on Friday and Saturday at Bohemian Caverns. $22 in advance, $28 at the door.
>> Pianist Noah Haidu and trumpeter Jeremy Pelt are two of the leading young musicians in New York’s crowded jazz scene. Pelt was named Rising Trumpet Star by Downbeat for five years in a row. The two will share the stage on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. $15 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Bassist Matt Grason leads his jazz-house band, House of Soul, on Saturday at Level X, located at 1934 9th Street NW. 9 p.m. $10.
>> Alan Baylock is currently the chief arranger for the U.S. Air Force’s Airmen of Note, one of the area’s many world-class military big bands. He will lead his own jazz orchestra on Sunday at the Millennium Stage as part of this year’s Big Band Jam. 6 p.m. Free. Make sure you check out the events calendar on the BBJ web site to get more information on all the great music that’s happening this week, much of which is free.
The Honey Ear Trio.>> In March 2010, Danny Janklow was awarded 1st Place Jazz Soloist in the North American Saxophone Alliance Competition. He is the youngest recipient of this award to date. Now gigging steadily in Philly while finishing up his music studies at Temple University, Janklow will pay a visit to Twins Jazz on Sunday. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> We’ve interviewed drummer Allison Miller a couple times here on DCist, as the area native has spent the last decade tearing it up in New York. The prodigal daughter returns to the Bossa Bistro & Lounge on Sunday with her latest project, The Honey Ear Trio. 8 p.m. $5.
>> The Sunday Jazz Lounge, curated by guitarist Rodney Richardson and trumpeter Joe Herrera continues this week at BloomBars with special guest guitarist Anthony Priog. 8:30 p.m. $5.
>> Blue Monday Blues presents C.W. Harrington’s Blues Messengers. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> The Big Band Jam always culminates with UDC’s annual Calvin Jones Big Band Jazz Festival, now in its 25th year. Bringing together the top student big bands from UDC, Howard University and the University of Maryland, the event takes place on Monday at the University Auditorium, located at 4200 Connecticut Avenue NW. 8 p.m. $10 – $20.
>> Swing Shift is an 18-piece big band comprised of local musicians. The ensemble will celebrate the release of its new album, As Long As We’re Swingin’ on Monday with 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Saxophonist Brad Linde‘s Dialogues & Duets series concludes on Tuesday with special guests Dan Roberts on piano and drummer Larry Ferguson. 8 p.m. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Legendary jazz vocal ensemble, The Manhattan Transfer, will kick off a six-night stand of 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley on Tuesday. $65 to $95 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
