Ron Carter, photo by Takehiko Tokiwa. >> Local saxophonist Bruce Swaim returns to Blues Alley with his quartet tonight to celebrate the release of his latest album, Winter’s Waltz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $18 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Pianist/keyboardist Mychael Pollard is often seen performing with local MC Christylez, but is also a fine jazz player on his own. He’ll lead his group through 8 and 10 p.m. sets tonight at Twins Jazz. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> The 16th annual Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival takes place Thursday through Saturday at the Kennedy Center. Always a fantastic event, this year’s edition features drummers Terri Lyne Carrington and Sherrie Maricle, vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater and a host of top-class women, as well as a tribute to the late, great Abbey Lincoln. 7 p.m. $38-$95 + fees. The festival also features free sets nightly on the Millennium Stage. 6 p.m.
>> Formed in 1939 at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind, The Blind Boys of Alabama have become legends of gospel music and have collaborated with artists as diverse as the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Peter Gabriel. They will perform a 7:30 p.m. show on Thursday at The Birchmere. $29.50 + fees.
>> Ron Carter is nothing short of a jazz legend, having spent nearly 50 years as a groundbreaking bassist. Fortunately for local jazz fans, he has made Bohemian Caverns a regular stop on his busy touring schedule, and will return to the club for a three-night stand with his Golden Striker Trio beginning on Thursday. 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets. $40 in advance, $45 at the door.
>> Saxophonist Stan Killian has a muscular sound that has led to his working with many of the up-and-coming musicians in New York’s crowded jazz scene. He’ll be in town on Thursday at Twins Jazz, celebrating the release of his new album, Unified. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Grammy-nominated local trumpeter Michael Thomas leads his quintet on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> The Godfather of Go-Go, Chuck Brown begins a three-night stand of intimate 8 and 11 p.m. sets at Blues Alley on Friday. Only a few tickets are left for Sunday’s late set. $35 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> T.K. Blue is the archetypal journeyman musician whose career has taken him throughout the States, to a stint in Europe and back. The saxophonist will be leading a group on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. $15 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> HR-57 hosts regulars Antonio Parker (Friday) and Rhythmic Accent (Saturday). 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $12.
>> The Washington Sound Museum is a collaboration between Grammy-nominated local MC Christylez and Bloombars. The purpose of the event is to introduce audiences to a variety of musical genres, while bringing them together each month through collaboration. This month’s event takes place on Saturday at 8 p.m. and will feature Indian classical violinist Nistha Raj. $15.
>> Brightest Young Things and Art Whino are teaming up with corporate sponsors to present vitaminwater uncapped LIVE, a month-long art and music extravaganza beginning on May 19 and taking place at 2213-2217 14th Street NW (the corner of 14th and Florida NW). On Saturday, they will host their End of the World Party, featuring jazz-house band House of Soul, under the direction of Unbuckled alum Matt Grason, and a bevy of local DJs. 9:30 p.m. $1 donation.
>> Saxophonist Jeff Antoniuk teams up with a group of local all-stars on Sunday at Bohemian Caverns to present Blue Note Soul: From Bop to Boogaloo!, a program of groovy tunes by the likes of Lee Morgan, John Scofield, Herbie Hancock, Horace Silver and more. 8 p.m. $20 in advance, $25 at the door.
>> The Sunday Jazz Lounge, curated by guitarist Rodney Richardson and trumpeter Joe Herrera continues this week at BloomBars with special guest saxophonist Matt Rippetoe. 8:30 p.m. $10.
>> Burning guitarist John Lee, a.k.a. The Chinese Irishman, leads his fiery trio on Sunday at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. 9 p.m. $5.
>> Blue Monday Blues hosts saxophonist/vocalist Deanna Bogart and her band. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> ZAHA is a chamber ensemble devoted to composing music in real time. Director/composer Evan Mazunik leads the group using Soundpainting, the universal sign language for live composition. The band will play 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Monday at Twins Jazz. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Blues Alley‘s French Jazz Series continues on Tuesday with saxophonist Jacques Schwarz-Bart. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $25 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Time of Key is a recently formed group of musicians that have their roots in the George Washington University jazz department. Inspired by groove-oriented jam bands, in addition to classic jazz, they’ll be playing 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz on Tuesday. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
