Pharoah Sanders, photo by Quentin LeBoucher.>> Schooled in the Delta blues, Ben Wiley Payton‘s repertoire ranges from obscure songs from the ’20s to more mainstream material from the last 30 years. He’ll perform a free show tonight on the Millennium Stage. 6 p.m.
>> Pianist Wayne Wilentz, a mainstay of the local Latin jazz scene, will perform this evening at the Mansion at Strathmore. The program will include his quartet’s authentic take on various Brazilian styles. 7:30 p.m. $15.
>> Dick Morgan is a local institution and one of the most entertaining pianists around. Tonight, he will bring his joyful sounds to Blues Alley. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $22 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Driftwood is a quartet led by husband and wife Suzette and Quincy Paker. Originally from the Bahamas, their original compositions explore their native music as well as more contemporary jazz and pop styles. They’ll be at Twins Jazz tonight for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Pharoah Sanders made his name playing highly experimental music with John Coltrane toward the end of the great saxophonist’s life. Sanders’ music has tempered with time, but is still driven by spirituality and exploration. Catch this legend and his band this Thursday through Saturday at Bohemian Caverns. 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets. $42 in advance, $45 at the door.
>> Randy Newman is among the most respected American songwriters of all time. After having mined the works of Ray Charles and Bill Evans, Roseanna Vitro has become the first jazz vocalist to re-interpret songs from Newman’s vast catalog with her new album, The Music of Randy Newman. Vitro will perform material from the recording during 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Thursday at Blues Alley. $25 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> The National Gallery of Art’s Jazz in the Garden, probably the area’s most well-attended summer outdoor jazz series, kicks of on Friday with local Latin jazz act, Origem. 5 to 8:30 p.m. Free.
>> Jazz Night in Southwest presents trumpeter Thad Wilson leading a fine quartet. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> Local jazz writers have called vocalist Jamie Broumas one of the area’s best kept secrets. She’ll perform 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Friday at Blues Alley. $25 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> HR-57 hosts regulars Antonio Parker and Thad Wilson on Friday and Saturday, respectively. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $12.
>> Tommy Cecil has been one of the area’s most in-demand bassists for decades. He’ll take a turn as bandleader on Saturday at Blues Alley. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $22 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Aisha Kahlil has been a member of local institution, Sweet Honey in the Rock, for 30 years. She’ll be onstage at Twins Jazz this Sunday, performing with her own group. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Sharon Clark is a jazz vocalist in the most classic sense, and has headlined at many top clubs and festivals. She’ll perform 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley on Sunday. $25 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> The Sunday Jazz Lounge, curated by guitarist Rodney Richardson and trumpeter Joe Herrera, continues this week at BloomBars with all-star drummer Tony Martucci. 8:30 p.m. $10.
>> If you want to keep your Memorial Day celebrations going after the afternoon cookout, head over to Blue Monday Blues to catch Jacques “Saxman” Johnson and his groovin’ band. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> Violinist Susan Jones has been playing gigs ranging from classical to klezmer to jazz since graduating from the University of Maryland in the late ’70s. She will celebrate the release of her latest album with 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley on Tuesday. $18 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Sotê, a native of São Paulo, Brazil, blends bossa nova guitar, jazz standards and rock with a world music sentiment. He’ll perform 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz on Tuesday. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
