Jacky Terrasson.>> Trombonist Greg Boyer began his career at just 19, when he began a decades-long tenure with Parliament-Funkadelic. He has since played with Prince and numerous other top-notch artists. Tonight, Boyer will lead his jazz group, the Greg Boyer PELOTON, at the Atlas as part of its inaugural jazz series. 8 p.m. $25.
>> Senegalese singer-songwriter Baaba Maal fuses his griot tradition with pop and global influences to create a sound all his own. He will be performing an intimate acoustic set tonight at The Birchmere. 7:30 p.m. $35 + fees.
>> The Creole Choir of Cuba is a vocal and percussion ensemble comprised of Cuban descendants of Haitians that emigrated to the island nation over the decades and centuries. The sound is a blend of creole and Cuban folk styles. The group will perform an 8 p.m. show tonight at Strathmore. $18-$38.
>> Vocalist Jacqui Naylor is very much at home singing straight-ahead jazz, but also delves into folk and adult-contemporary sounds in the vein of a Shawn Colvin or Sarah McLaughlin. The California native will be in town tonight, leading a band through 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $22 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Michelle Webb is an excellent guitarist and oud player whose music blends African, Arabic and jazz influences. She will lead her band, King Kong, on Thursday at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Dutch trumpeter Eric Vloeimans has a beautiful tone that fits perfectly into any style of jazz. One of Europe’s finest and most influential players, he is currently touring the States and will be at Blues Alley on Thursday for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $22 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Local legend Butch Warren, who served as a house bassist for the celebrated Blue Note label during its heyday, leads a sextet on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> Since forming in 1939 at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind, the Blind Boys of Alabama have won five Grammy Awards, performed for Presidents and have collaborated with artists as varied as Prince and Peter Gabriel. The group’s latest effort blends a country influence into its southern gospel style. Country artist Jim Lauderdale will join the singers on Friday at Strathmore for an 8 p.m. show. $25-$48.
>> Jacky Terrasson‘s 1994 debut on the Blue Note label was picked as one of Time Magazine’s top albums of that year. Since then, Terrasson has garnered critical acclaim far and wide, earning two Grammy nominations and releasing nearly an album per year. The gifted pianist will be in town this weekend, leading a trio on Friday and Saturday at Bohemian Caverns. 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets. $22-$25.
>> Drummer and D.C. native Keith Killgo was a founding member of The Blackbyrds, a popular jazz-funk group of the late ’70s. He continues to play and tour regularly as a jazz sideman and bandleader, and on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz he will lead a group in tribute to the great Art Blakey. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. $15 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> HR-57 hosts regulars Antonio Parker (Friday) and Jimmy “Junebug” Jackson (Saturday). 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $15.
>> Smooth jazz star Najee will be at Blues Alley Friday through Sunday, leading his group through nightly 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $50 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> On Friday, pianist Benny Green leads a quartet at the Kennedy Center on Friday that will include bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington, and special guest baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan. The band will pay tribute to Thelonious Monk’s classic album, Monk’s Dream, as part of its 50th anniversary. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets. $26-$30 + fees.
>> Vocal ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock has been a local institution for over 35 years. They will return to the Warner Theatre on Saturday for an 8 p.m. show. $28-$55 + fees.
>> Self-taught guitarist Russell Malone brings his easy going style to the Kennedy Center‘s KC Jazz Club on Saturday for 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets. $26-$30 + fees.
>> BlackNotes is a local ensemble that ties together multiple strains of the African diaspora, combining horns, percussion and spoken word. The band will play a 7 p.m. show on Sunday at Bohemian Caverns. $15 in advance, $18 at the door.
>> Blue Monday Blues hosts the Pluckerland Blues Band. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> Björn Thoroddsen, one of the best guitarists from Iceland’s surprisingly fertile jazz scene, will team up with Gypsy jazz guitarist Robin Nolan on Monday at Blues Alley for what is sure to be a fascinating blend of disparate cultures. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $18 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Avant-garde saxophonist John Zorn’s Tzadik label is known for stretching the boundaries of music. One of its many experimental acts, Pitom, will be in town on Monday to play the Bossa Bistro & Lounge to support their latest recording, Blasphemy and Other Serious Crimes. 8:30 p.m. $5.
