The Ethnic Heritage Ensemble. >> The Dirty Dozen Brass Band’s former trombonist has branched out on his own with Big Sam’s Funky Nation. Big Sam has dubbed his group’s infectious blend of rock, funk and jazz as “Noladelic Powerfunk,” and you can feel the grooves tonight at The Hamilton. 7:30 p.m. $20.
>> Celebrated Cajun ensemble BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet will perform tonight at the Barns of Wolf Trap. 8 p.m. $27.
>> Otis Taylor is often referred to as blues artist, but that doesn’t really cut it for an artist who embraces all forms of roots music and adds a decidedly outspoken world view. He and his band will perform 8 and 10 p.m. sets tonight at Blues Alley. $25 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Check out our full preview of New Orleans jazz-funk band Galactic‘s Thursday night performance at 9:30 Club. 7 p.m. doors. $27.50 + fees.
>> For fifteen straight years, local concert producer Bobby Hill has brought the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble to D.C. for a celebration of Black History Month. A trio featuring percussionist Kahil El’Zabar, reedist Ernest Khabeer Dawkins and trumpeter Corey Wilkes, the band has spent forty years blending African American and traditional African music to create a sound that is all their own. They will perform on Thursday at Bohemian Caverns. 8 p.m. $15.
>> Buster Williams is quite simply one of the great jazz bassists of all time. His band, Something More, is appropriately described as a collective with a rotating cast of players, the latest version of which will begin a four night stand of 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley on Thursday. The trio features pianist Mulgrew Miller and ace drummer Cindy Blackman-Santana, best known for her long association with rocker Lenny Kravitz. $25 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Thursday marks the start of Intersections, a multi-disciplinary arts festival at venues around the city. Pianist Amy K. Bormet and her husband, guitarist Matt Dievendorf will team up for a free 6:30 p.m. performance on Friday at the Atlas. Saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa returns to the District after having performed recently at Blues Alley’s Indian Jazz Series. Mahanthappa will join French-Vietnamese
jazz guitarist Nguên Lê’s Saiyuki Trio, featuring koto, shamisen and tabla for an 8 p.m. concert at the Library of Congress. Free with reservations. On Saturday at 8 p.m. pianist Allyn Johnson and drummer Nasar Abadey join forces with a multi-faceted ensemble for Supernova Meets Synchronicity, a jazz-meets-classical performance. $20-$25.
>> Jazz Night in Southwest hosts an outstanding group of local veterans who will pay tribute to legendary bassist Keter Betts. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> The Kennedy Center presents a pair of future jazz stars this weekend. Milton Suggs (Friday) has a rich baritone that is a welcome addition to the jazz palette and belies his youth. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets. $16. At just 24-years old, Aaron Parks (Saturday) has already spent five years touring with celebrated trumpeter Terence Blanchard, and his debut album, Invisible Cinema, is earning critical raves. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets. $26-$30.
>> New York’s Marianne Solivan will be in town on Friday and Saturday to support her forthcoming release, Prisoner of Love, which finds the chanteuse in intimate duo, trio and quartet settings. She will be performing at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel with a group of excellent local musicians under the direction of pianist Chris Grasso. 8 p.m. No cover.
>> Legendary poet/activist Amiri Baraka has long used jazz as an inspiration and accompaniment for his spoken word performances. Baraka will return to Bohemian Caverns this Friday and Saturday for 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets. His band will include Rene Mclean on sax, bassists Alan Palmer and James King, as well as drummer Rudy Walker. $25.
>> HR-57 hosts regulars Antonio Parker (Friday) and Cheney Thomas (Saturday). 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $15.
>> On Friday and Saturday, bassist Cheney Thomas will lead a band through 9 and 11 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. $15 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> The U.S. Air Force’s premiere jazz ensemble, the Airmen of Note, will play a free concert on Sunday at DAR Constitution Hall. Japanese pianist Keiko Matsui will be a featured guest soloist for the performance. 3 p.m.
>> David Caldwell-Mason is a talented young pianist trying to make a name for himself in New York’s crowded jazz scene. He will be at Twins Jazz on Sunday to lead his Brooklyn-based trio through 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Huda Asfour uses the oud as the foundation for her outspoken views and songwriting. She and her band will perform on Sunday at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. 8:30 p.m. $3.
>> Blue Monday Blues hosts local outfit, Midnight Blue. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> Steve Abshire and Paul Wingo are “guitarists’ guitarists,” and have been part of the local scene for decades. They will pair up for an intimate duo performance on Monday at Blues Alley. $18 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
