Hiromi.

>> Saxophonist Steve Lehman is making a name for himself as one of the most inquisitive and bold young musicians on the scene today. His explorations range from models for computer driven improvisation to compositions for orchestras and chamber ensembles. Lehman will appear at the Atlas tonight in a more stripped down setting, leading an acoustic jazz trio. 8 p.m. $15-$25.

>> Veteran local pianist Harry Appelman will lead an excellent group tonight at Blues Alley. The band will feature bassist Drew Gress, trumpeter Dave Ballou and percussionist Jon Seligman. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.

>> Israeli superstar Idan Raichel and Malian guitar virtuoso Vieux Farka Touré will team up for what is sure to be an inspired performance on Thursday at The Hamilton. The two first met at an airport in Germany in 2008, and the connection was immediate. Two years later, they met in a studio to record what would become The Tel Aviv Session, a serene and melodic album that also features local harmonica ace Frédéric Yonnet on one track. 8 p.m. $28-$43.

>> Hiromi took the jazz world by storm when she broke onto the scene nearly ten years ago. Her virtuosity on the piano plus her rock star presence make for a potent combination of style and musicality. She will lead a trio through a four night stand at Blues Alley beginning Thursday. The band includes electric bassist Anthony Jackson and drummer Simon Phillips, who are both legends on their respective instruments. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $45 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.

>> Sitarist Anoushka Shankar has long been interested in fusing Indian classical upbringing with more eclectic and contemporary sounds. For her most recent release, 2011’s Traveller, Shankar assembled a diverse cast of musicians to explore the intersections between Indian and Spanish flamenco music. She will lead a sextet and play material from the album on Friday at Lisner Auditorium in a performance sponsored by the Washington Performing Arts Society. 8 p.m. $20-$40 +fees. Stay tuned for a full preview.

>> That Atlas will host an adventurous triple bill on Friday with headliner Endangered Blood. A “supergroup” of free thinking musicians assembled by drummer Jim Black, the band combines a jazz aesthetic with a rock mindset, without compromising either. Sharing the stage will be Noveller, the solo project of Brooklyn-based guitarist and filmmaker Sarah Lipstate, and the DC Improvisers Collective. 8 p.m. $15-$25.

>> Akua Allrich is among the local scene’s most soulful voices, drawing from influences like Oscar Brown, Jr., Miriam Makeba and Nina Simone. On Friday, she will lead her own group for an 8 p.m. show at THEARC, a venue dedicated to providing access to the arts for District residents living east of the Anacostia River. $15.

>> Howard University has a nationally recognized jazz program, and its jazz ensemble, under the direction of Fred Irby III, is one of the best collegiate bands in the country. The group will perform this Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.

MARS 4-tet.

>> One of the most powerful young voices in the blues, Shemekia Copeland has already opened for the Rolling Stones and shared the stage with the likes of B.B. King and Buddy Guy. She will be at The Hamilton on Friday for an 8 p.m. show. $25-$35.

>> Saxophonist Jeff Antoniuk was among the first local jazz musicians we featured here on DCist. He will debut a new group, the MARS 4-tet, at Twins Jazz on Friday and Saturday. The all-star band includes guitarist Donato Soviero, drummer Frank Russo and bassist Max Murray, and ranges from the classic grooves of Herbie Hancock to hits by Peter Gabriel and Led Zeppelin. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. $15 + $10 food/drink minimum.

>> Barry Harris is the quintessential pianist’s pianist, and has dedicated his life to spreading the gospel of jazz as a player and educator. In addition to numerous recordings and accolades, he is also the founder of the Jazz Cultural Theater. Harris will be leading a trio this Friday and Saturday at Bohemian Caverns. 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets. $22.

>> HR-57 will host regulars Antonio Parker (Friday) and Peter Fraize (Saturday). 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $15.

>> In 2010, vocalist Catherine Russell blew audiences away at the Kennedy Center‘s Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival. She will return to the venue on Friday, this time performing at the KC Jazz Club. Outstanding young guitarist Julian Lage, a regular at the Center, will appear at the club on Saturday. Tickets to the 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets on both nights are sold out, but it’s worth contacting the box office to see if there are any last minute cancellations.

>> A jazz combo comprised of members of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra will pay tribute to legendary guitarist Wes Montgomery on Saturday at the National Museum of Natural History‘s Baird Auditorium. 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $18-$25. This event is part of the Smithsonian’s Jazz Appreciation Month. A full calendar of events is available here.

>> Trumpeter Terence Blanchard wears many hats. In addition to being a world class performer and improviser, he is also an accomplished composer, having scored many of Spike Lee’s films. Blanchard plays D.C. regularly, and the Washington Performing Arts Society will bring him to the Sixth and I Historic Synagogue on Saturday. 8 p.m. $30 + fees.

>> Saxophonist Javon Jackson came up as a young lion in the 1990s, and is now an established voice in straight-ahead jazz. He will team up with pianist soul-jazz legend Les McCann on Saturday for 8 and 10:30 p.m. sets at The Hamilton. The two will play selections from McCann’s 1960 classic Swiss Movement, which featured the platinum selling single, “Compared to What”. $33-$43.50.

>> On Monday, veteran local percussionist Chuck Redd will present a daytime lecture at the Mansion at Strathmore titled Jazz: Unraveling the Mystery. In the presentation, Redd will explain how a traditional jazz performance is structured and how a novice listener may understand what’s happening on stage. 11 a.m. $15.

>> Clarence “Bluesman” Turner will perform with his band at Blue Monday Blues. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.

>> D.C.’s jazz scene has always been known for producing bassists that have that little something extra, and there’s no better example of this than Michael Bowie. He’ll bring his new project, Sine Qua Non, to Blues Alley on Monday. The band features steel pannist Victor Provost, drummer Mark Prince and percussionist Tom Teasley, and puts Bowie’s love of classical Spanish guitar music into a jazz setting. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.

>> Rodney Richardson is one of the city’s busiest guitarists, but he’ll unfortunately be leaving this area for Chicago soon, so it’ll be worth your while to catch him as he plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley on Tuesday. $18 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.