Esperanza Spalding, photo by Sandrine Lee.

>> Vocalist Paulien will be at Blues Alley tonight, performing classic French jazz selections. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.

>> Local bandleader Brad Linde will give a lecture on Thursday at Strathmore about Lennie Tristano, who is considered one of jazz’s first true pedagogues. Tristano’s jazz philosophies have spanned generations, and have given rise to some of the genre’s best. 7:30 p.m. $15.

>> Saxophonist David Sanborn is often characterized as a smooth jazz musician, but in reality, his sound goes beyond the elevator music that often comes from that genre. He will bring his R&B/jazz/pop blend to the Birchmere on Thursday with a band that includes ace organist Joey DeFrancesco. 7:30 p.m. $45 + fees.

>> On Thursday, area vocalist Julie Mack will perform at Twins Jazz in an intimate trio setting along with bassist Gavin Fallow and pianist Amy K. Bormet. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.

>> Guitarist and smooth jazz star Jonathan Butler visits Blues Alley on Thursday, kicking off a four-night stand of 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $50 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.

>> Soulful pianist and local mainstay Larry Brown leads a group of area all-stars on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.

>> The Great Noise Ensemble is one of the area’s few ensembles devoted to contemporary classical music. The group will perform pieces from the turn of the 21st century on Friday at Strathmore. 7:30 p.m. $10.

>> NEA Jazz Master and drumming legend Roy Haynes will be at the Kennedy Center on Friday with his Fountain of Youth band. Now 86, Haynes 60-plus-year career has included stints with Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, Chick Corea and many, many more. Stay tuned for a full preview. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets. $35 + fees.

Benito Gonzalez.

>> Fresh off the release of another well-received Duets album that features collaborations with the late Amy Winehouse and a host of other pop stars, an 85-year old Tony Bennett shows no signs of slowing down. The iconic singer will give an 8 p.m. performance on Friday at the Warner Theatre. $72-$126 + fees.

>> Fiery Latin jazz pianist Benito Gonzalez will perform 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets on Friday and Saturday at Bohemian Caverns. His group will feature innovative saxophonist Casey Benjamin. $18.

>> HR-57 hosts regulars Antonio Parker (Friday) and Jimmy “Junebug” Jackson (Saturday). 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $15.

>> Saxophonist Anthony Nelson leads a talented group that includes ace pianist Allyn Johnson on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. $15 + $10 food/drink minimum.

>> Earlier this year, we saw saxophonist Branford Marsalis lead his quartet through a set that stepped beyond traditional music conventions. The NEA Jazz Master returns to the area on Saturday for an 8 p.m. concert at GMU’s Center for the Arts. $24-$48 + fees.

>> Kutumba is a 7-piece folk ensemble from Nepal. They are currently touring the U.S. and on Sunday will be at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Art Center at Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria Campus. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $20-$50.

>> Last year, we spoke with Esperanza Spalding before she came to town in support of her Chamber Music Society album. Since then, the gifted bassist/singer/composer has won a Grammy for “Best New Artist” and has graduated from being The Next Big Thing in jazz to having popular success. Spalding returns to the area on Sunday for an 8 p.m. show at the Warner Theatre. $49.50 + fees.

>> Blue Monday Blues hosts David Cole & Main Street Blues. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.

>> Keyboardist Keiko Matsui‘s music has been described as jazz, smooth jazz and even new age. This simply means that her mix of Eastern and Western styles has a spiritual quality about it that defies category. Matsui will be at the Birchmere on Monday for a 7:30 p.m. set. $39.50 + fees.

>> The musicians in the Pilc-Moutin-Hoenig Trio have a deep musical connection that at times seems telepathic. The interaction between the three virtuoso players is a sight to behold, and we definitely recommend heading down to Blues Alley on Tuesday to check them out. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $25 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.