René Marie.>> Busy local guitarist Rodney Richardson leads his trio with organist Will Rast and drummer Larry Ferguson tonight at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Continuing the New Orleans brass band tradition, the Rebirth Brass Band has taken the Crescent City’s culture to the far corners of the world. They will be at the 9:30 Club on Thursday with local groove-sters The Funk Ark opening. 7 p.m. doors. $25 + fees.
>> A native of the Bay Area, Jess Righthand is now trying to make a name for herself in the District. Catch the young up-and-coming singer on Thursday at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Smooth jazz saxophonist Walter Beasley performs 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley on Thursday. $35 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Soul Patch is a side project by House of Soul bandleader and bassist Matt Grason, which features the same jazz infused dance rhythms of HoS, but with a smaller ensemble. The band will be performing on Thursday at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. 9 p.m. $5.
>> Jazz Night in Southwest hosts some of Baltimore’s finest talent on Friday, including vocalist Rev. Dred “Perky” Scott. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> On Friday, The Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus (THEARC) hosts award winning jazz, soul and blues singer-songwriter, René Marie, who will perform songs from her intriguingly titled latest album, Black Lace Freudian Slip. Amazingly, Marie didn’t sing professionally until the age of 40, when she began to pursue music more seriously at the urging of her children. Since going pro, she has become a favorite of critics and audiences alike. 7:30 p.m. $20.
>> Currently an eight-piece unit led by guitarist Chris Vachon, Roomful of Blues is known for its tight sound and joyful take on the blues. The ensemble will be at The Hamilton on Friday for an 8:30 p.m. set. $20-$30.
>> Bohemian Caverns presents a pair of excellent local vocalists this weekend. Heidi Martin, who will lead a group on Friday, has long been a mainstay of the scene. Saturday’s featured artist is Christie Dashiell, who wowed national audiences as a soloist with Afro Blue on NBC’s The Sing-Off. 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets. $20.
>> Johnny O’Neal got a big break when he played piano legend Art Tatum in the Oscar-nominated 2004 biopic, Ray. The veteran musician will appear this Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz for 9 and 11 p.m. sets. $15 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> The Kennedy Center has a fantastic weekend of music lined up this weekend. Trumpeter Nicholas Payton‘s sets are sold out, but it’s worth contacting the box office for last minute availability. There are still tickets available to the 9:30 p.m. set by The Cookers on Saturday, an all-star group of musicians that is not to be missed. $26-$30.
>> HR-57 hosts regulars Antonio Parker (Friday) and Cheney Thomas (Saturday). 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $15.
>> Like the Marsalises or the Batistes, the Neville family name has long been associated with the music of New Orleans. Led by Ivan Neville‚ the son of Neville Brothers’ Aaron Neville respectively, Dumpstaphunk is aimed at taking the New Orleans sound into the 21st century. The band will be at The Hamilton on Saturday for an 8:30 p.m. set. $20-$30.
Violette.>> The Airmen of Note is the premiere jazz ensemble of the U.S. Air Force Band. On Sunday, they will perform a free concert at DAR Constitutional Hall with special guest vocalist Al Jarreau. 3 p.m.
>> IRIS is a collaboration between New York-based improvisers Andrea Parkins (electric-accordion & laptop electronics) and Hans Tamman (guitar, electronics), who collaborate with Paris-based improvisers Edward Perraud (drums and percussion) and cellist Didier Petit. With support from the French American Cultural Exchange, Sunday’s show at Bohemian Caverns will be their premier stateside performance. This show is co-sponsored by local production house, Transparent Productions. 7 and 9 p.m. sets. $15.
>> The folks at CapitalBop have found a new location for their excellent jazz loft series. The first show at The Dunes takes place on Sunday and features groups led by saxophonist Paul Carr, trumpeter Donvonte McCoy and drummer Lenny Robinson. 7 p.m. $10 suggested donation.
>> Pianist Mychael Pollard is a familiar part of the local scene, crossing genres from jazz to hip-hop. He will lead a group on Sunday at Twins Jazz with 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Over two years have passed since we profiled the Overtone Quartet, a super group assembled by legendary bassist Dave Holland. During that interview, Holland assured us that it was musical chemistry, not concert draw, that was the driver behind this band. The fact that the quartet still performs together is a testament to the quality of music they deliver. The band will perform at the University of Maryland’s Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center on Sunday. 7 p.m. $9-$45.
>> Duke Ellington saw jazz as an amalgamation of all the African American music that existed during his time and prior. On Monday at the Mansion at Strathmore, local radio personality Rusty Hassan will present The Duke, a multi-media lecture and presentation demonstrating how blues, spirituals, work songs, ragtime and indeed, New Orleans jazz were incorporated into Ellington’s compositions. 7:30 p.m. $15.
>> Soulful vocalist Akua Allrich blends a jazz sentiment with global influences. The D.C. native will perform sets as part of a Valentine’s Day program at Bohemian Caverns. $60.
>> Violette was born and raised in France, arriving in the States to study music at Berklee. Her sound is rooted in jazz, but with a strong pop influence. She will perform a special Valentine’s Day set at Twins Jazz on Tuesday. 8 and 10 p.m. shows. $20 + $10 food/drink minimum.
