Jimmy “Junebug” Jackson.>> Richmond-based ensemble Fight the Big Bull brings its raucous and free-spirited sound to the Millennium Stage tonight for a 6 p.m. show. Free.
>> HR-57 house drummer Jimmy “Junebug” Jackson was a beloved figure in the local jazz community. Jackson moved to D.C. four years ago, after having spent 21 years performing with master organist Jimmy Smith. He passed away on Saturday due to congestive heart failure, and will be sorely missed. Jackson was just 55-years old. HR-57 will hold a memorial jam session tonight at 8 p.m. The event is free to all musicians who sit in, but an $8 cover will apply to those who simply wish to attend.
>> Trombonist Jen Krupa, a member of the Navy Commodores Jazz Ensemble, and baritone saxophonist Leigh Pilzer, a faculty member at the University of Maryland, will lead their quintet, JLQ, tonight at the Atlas as part of its on-going jazz series. 8 p.m. $15-$25.
>> Guitarist Anthony Pirog‘s experience ranges from free-form, experimental jazz to traditional swing. Tonight, we will lead a trio with bassist Mark Foster and drummer Larry Ferguson at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Smooth jazz saxophonist Rocco Ventrella performs 8 and 10 p.m. sets tonight at Blues Alley. $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Saxophonist Jeff Antoniuk is now a regular performer at the Belvedere Lounge of the National Harbor’s Gaylord Hotel. Tomorrow, he will play Brazilian samba and bossa nova with some of the regions finest musicians. 5 to 8 p.m. No cover.
>> Grammy-nominated music producer/performer Nicolay was born and raised in The Netherlands. He recently teamed up with Raleigh-based exploratory jazz trio The Hot At Nights, led by 8-string guitar virtuoso Chris Boerner with Matt Douglas on sax/woodwinds and Nick Baglio on drums. The quartet will perform on Thursday at Bohemian Caverns. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $15.
>> Trumpeter Joe Brotherton leads his groove band, Cricket Fusion, on Thursday at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Strathmore is hosting a month-long celebration to one of the District’s favorite sons. Discover Ellington will kick off on Friday with an early concert with the Chris Vadala Trio. 11 a.m. The show is sold out, but it’s worth contacting the box office for last minute availability.
>> Drummer Maurice Lyles leads a group of local all-stars on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest, paying a show in celebration of Black History Month. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> Check out our full preview of Sunny Jain & Red Baraat, who will be performing a 7 p.m. set at U Street Music Hall on Friday. $15 + fees.
Brad Linde and Lee Konitz. >> Legendary Cuban jazz pianist Chucho Valdés and his band, the Afro-Cuban Messengers will take the stage at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts on Friday. Stay tuned for a full preview. 8 p.m. $23-$46 + fees.
>> Award winning multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Deanna Bogart plays a soulful blend of blues, R&B and boogie-woogie. She’ll perform at The Hamilton on Friday. 8:30 p.m. $22.50 + fees.
>> Saxophonist Lee Konitz is nothing short of a jazz legend. He is the last surviving member of Miles Davis’s Birth of the Cool nonet and has accomplished much over his 60+ year career. On Friday and Saturday, he will team up with local saxophonist Brad Linde and pianist Dan Tepfer at Bohemian Caverns to lead a quintet through 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets. $25.
>> The Kennedy Center presents two artists this weekend who should be on every jazz fan’s radar as people to watch. Friday’s show features Aaron Diehl, winner of the American Pianists Association’s Cole Porter Fellowship in Jazz. Gregory Porter performs on Saturday, and brings a rich baritone to a sound that draws from gospel roots and the smoothness of Nat King Cole. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets. $16 + fees.
>> Guitarist Mark Elf‘s career stretches over 40 years, and he has played with a host of luminaries that include Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry and others. Elf will lead his own group this Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. $15 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Smooth jazz flautist Darryl Evan Jones performs on Monday at Blues Alley. $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
