Lydia Lewis.>> As we mentioned in yesterday’s preview of the ’11-’12 jazz series at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, the season will kick off tonight with an 8 p.m. concert by the Will Vinson Quartet. $25.
>> Lydia Lewis is a talented young drummer who has been performing and teaching regularly throughout the area since graduating from Shenandoah University in 2008. Tonight, she will be celebrating the release of her debut album, Cosmic Collisions, with 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Alfredo Rodriguez has been dubbed The Next Big Thing among Latin jazz pianists, after having received his big break from none other than Quincy Jones after the 2006 Montreux Jazz Festival. Rodriguez will lead a band through 8 and 10 p.m. sets tonight at Blues Alley. $22 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> The Music Center at Strathmore‘s 2011-2012 season kicks off on Thursday with a performance from bluesman Keb’ Mo’, who is touring in support of his latest release, The Reflection. Singer-songwriter Rebecca Pidgeon opens. 8 p.m. $28-$58.
>> 17-year old vocalist Jenny George, a native of McLean, VA, will perform with some of her mentors on Thursday at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Local blues band, Kim Cameron & Side FX plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley on Thursday. $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Jazz Night in Southwest hosts a group of talented local musicians under the direction of pianist, Dr. Bill Clark. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> Saxophonist Lyle Link has been a staple of the local scene for nearly 15 years, and his reputation is now spreading. He will lead a quartet on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. $15 + $10 food/drink minimum. He will return to the club on Tuesday for his weekly residency, which he shares with altoist Marty Nau.
>> Kenny Garrett began his career playing with icons like Art Blakey and Miles Davis. When all is said and done, the alto saxophonist will go down in jazz history as a legend in his own right. On Friday, Garrett begins a three night stint of 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $27.50 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Fiery Latin jazz sensation Chuchito Valdes, son of Cuban legend Chucho Valdes, will perform 9 and 11 p.m. sets at HR-57 on Friday and Saturday. $25.
Steve Turre.>> In a career that spans 40 years, trombonist Steve Turre has played with Ray Charles, Herbie Hancock, Tito Puente and many, many others. He’s also one of the few musicians who have mastered the conch shell to make it a bona fide solo instrument. Turre will lead his band at Bohemian Caverns on Friday and Saturday. 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets. $24.
>> The Afro-Bop Alliance, an Annapolis-based and Latin Grammy-nominated septet performs on Saturday at the Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. Free.
>> Angelica Sanchez is lyrical pianist whose recordings have garnered critical praise in all of the top jazz publications. She is also a dedicated educator who has held positions at some of the finest conservatories in Europe and North America. Sanchez will lead a group on Sunday at Bohemian Caverns. 7 p.m. $15.
>> In addition to being a long time member of the Air Force Band, drummer Kevin Peter Jones has a resume that includes some of the top names in contemporary jazz. He will lead his own group on Sunday at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Local world jazz outfit, The Fourth Stream, featuring guitarist Rob Coltun, will perform at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge on Sunday. Special guests will include singer-songwriter Nita Chawla, violinist Nistha Raj and rapper Navi. 8:30 p.m. $5.
>> Blue Monday Blues hosts B.B. Country’s Blues with vocalist Lady Di. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> With a sound that is reminiscent of the great Charlie Byrd, Nate Najar is re-introducing the nylon string classical guitar to the jazz idiom. He will be performing 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Monday at Blues Alley. $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Mitch Winehouse, father to the late Amy Winehouse, is a classic jazz crooner based out of London. He will be in town at Blues Alley on Tuesday, performing in support of his latest release, Rush of Love. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
