Brad Mehldau.>> Mike Flaherty’s Dixieland Direct Jazz Band performs tonight on the Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. Free.
>> Julia Nixon is a veteran of musical theater, having won a 2007 Helen Hayes award and performing on Broadway in Dreamgirls. She also performs regularly in clubs, playing a mix of jazz standards and crossover originals. She will be at Twins Jazz tonight for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Talented local vocalist Lori Williams performs 8 and 10 p.m. sets tonight at Blues Alley. $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> The Twelfth Street Jazz Project is a new, local trio that has taken up a bi-weekly Thursday night residence at Cafe Bonaparte in Adams Morgan. 7:30 p.m. Free.
>> Pianist and 28-year old Colombian native Luke Carlos O’Reilly has already played with luminaries such as Curtis Fuller and Nicholas Payton. O’Reilly will be leading his own group on Thursday at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Vibraphonist Roy Ayers has a career that stretches back nearly 50 years, and is one of the most sampled artists of all-time. His music has become the foundation for classic hip-hop grooves and the neo-soul sound. Ayers will be at Blues Alley on Thursday to kick off a four night stand of 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $40 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Imani Winds is one of the country’s premiere classical woodwind ensembles, but their music extends far beyond the traditional repertoire. They will be performing on Thursday at the Mansion at Strathmore. 7:30 p.m. $30. The ensemble will also give an 8 p.m. performance on Friday at the Atlas. $15-$25.
>> On Friday and Saturday, Bohemian Caverns will host Baltimore-based saxophonist Craig Alston, who has played with Jimmy Heath, Oliver Lake, Larry Willis and a host of others. 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets. $15.
>> Trumpeter Kenny Rittenhouse has a classic hard bop sound that has led to his being a featured soloist with the prestigious U.S. Army Blues. Rittenhouse will be leading a talented group on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. The band includes saxophonist Lyle Link and pianist Allyn Johnson. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. $15 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Local mainstay Antonio Parker performs on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. The saxophonist will be celebrating the release of his new album, Steppin’ Out. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> The Kennedy Center presents a weekend of great music in its KC Jazz Club. Friday’s sets featuring young saxophone sensation Grace Kelly and elder statesman Phil Woods are sold out, but it’s worth contacting the box office for last minute availability. There are still tickets available for Saturday’s shows featuring saxophonist Antonio Hart, who is teaming up with B-3 organist Bobby Floyd. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets. $26-$30 + fees.
>> Local progressive hip-hop artist Christylez returns to Bloombars on Saturday with his monthly Washington Sound Museum series. The show features collaborations between the rapper and musicians from the District’s eclectic music scene. This month’s special guest is Arabian artist Huda Asfour. 7 p.m. $15.
>> The Washington Performing Arts Society presents inventive pianist Brad Mehldau on Saturday at the Sixth and I Historic Synagogue. Mehldau will be performing sans rhythm section, and his recitals have drawn comparisons to the classic solo work of Keith Jarrett. 8 p.m. $30 + fees.
>> HR-57 hosts regular AJ Parham on Saturday. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $15.
>> Sudanese-born singer, songwriter, and ethnomusicologist Alsarah will lead a band on Sunday at the Millennium Stage, performing music from different parts of the Middle East and East Africa, including classical Taraab music from Zanzibar and Kenya. 6 p.m. Free.
>> Guitarist Stephane Wrembel has assembled a talented group of musicians to pay tribute to the gypsy jazz of the great Django Reinhardt. The show, dubbed the Django A-Go-Go festival, takes place on Sunday at the Birchmere. 7:30 p.m. $29.50 + fees.
>> João Kouyoumdjian is a Brazilian-Armenian guitarist and Juilliard graduate will perform on Monday at the Millennium Stage as part of the series, Movimento Violão, which highlights some of the best guitarists in Brazil. 6 p.m. Free.
>> Inspired by the Chicago blues sound, veteran guitarist Bob Margolin brings his band to Blues Alley on Tuesday for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
