Esperanza Spalding.>> Vocalist Tessa Souter has a multi-ethnic heritage that she draws upon to infuse her jazz stylings with music from Spain, North Africa and Celtic folk traditions. She will be at Blues Alley tonight, performing selections from Beyond the Blue, an album that puts well-loved classical themes in a jazz setting. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $25 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Guitarist Ottmar Liebert and his band, Luna Negra, have become multi-platinum recording artists with their self-described “Nouveau Flamenco” style. They’ll be at the Birchmere tonight. 7:30 p.m. $35 + fees.
>> Thursday marks the start of the Kennedy Center‘s annual Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival. The three day event includes performances by local native Allison Miller, vocalist Carmen Lundy, drummer Terri Lyne Carrington and a host of others. Also, Thursday and Friday’s Millennium Stage performances will feature local talents Amy Bormet and Christie Dashiell. Visit the web site for full ticket and scheduling information.
>> The Carolina Chocolate Drops is one of the last remaining African American string bands, specializing in traditional Piedmont blues and bluegrass.They will perform on Thursday at the Birchmere. 7:30 p.m. $25 + fees.
>> The Music Center at Strathmore presents two of the most celebrated male jazz vocalists of their generation on Thursday in a double bill with John Pizzarelli and Kurt Elling. The two will perform sets separately and then take the stage together for the concert finale. 8 p.m. $28-$68.
>> Latin jazz legend Arturo Sandoval arrives at Blues Alley on Thursday to begin a four night stand of 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $43 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Saxophonist Whit Williams leads a group of local veterans on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> Nigerian born drummer Tosin Aribisala and his band, Afrikan Rhapsody, play an infectious style of music that combines West African rhythms with jazz and blues. The group will be at Bohemian Caverns on Friday and Saturday for 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets. $18.
>> David Bond is an alto saxophonist who has spent quite a bit of time playing as a sideman with some of New York’s finest. He will be leading a group featuring a local all-star rhythm section on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. The band includes pianist Allyn Johnson, drummer Nasar Abaday and bassist Steve Novosel. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. $15 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> HR-57 hosts regulars Antonio Parker (Friday) and A.J. Parham (Saturday). 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $15.
>> Vocalist Gretchen Parlato is steadily making her way up the jazz ranks, carving out an impressive career that is rooted in jazz, but not limited to the Great American Songbook. She brings her blend of classic, contemporary and worldly sounds to the Birchmere on Saturday. 7:30 p.m. $29.50 + fees.
>> Indian-born singer Kailash Kher is gaining notoriety in global music circles with his deft fusion of traditional Sufi lyrics, classical Indian vocal style and contemporary rock and pop rhythms. He will performing on Saturday at the Lisner Auditorium. 7:30 p.m. $28-$99 + fees.
>> Esperanza Spalding is one of the brightest young stars in jazz today. She just released her latest album, Radio Music Society, and will be supporting it on Saturday at The Howard Theatre. Unfortunately, the 8 p.m. show is sold out, so you’ll have to visit Craig.
Sine Qua Non.>> Drawing from the African and Latin funk/dance music scenes of the 1960s and ’70s, The Funk Ark is gaining ever-increasing attention as one of the District’s most promising bands, especially since their signing on to ESL Music. Led by ubiquitous keyboardist Will Rast, the band will be performing on Saturday at The Hamilton with special guests Sir Joe Quarterman and Frank Mitchell, Jr. 8:30 p.m. $22.50.
>> Mixing African, electronic and avant-garde jazz, the Chicago Underground Duo has been pushing boundaries for 15 years, and will bring its exploratory sound to Bohemian Caverns on Sunday. Comprised of Rob Mazurek on cornet and electronics, along with drummer percussionist Chad Taylor, the band is touring the East Coast in support of its latest release, Age of Energy. 7 p.m. $15.
>> CapitalBop‘s Jazz Loft returns to The Dunes on Sunday with an exciting lineup. The bill includes saxophonist Sarah Hughes and her band, guitarist Rodney Richardson in one of his last area performances before he leaves for Chicago, and a steel pan battle between Victor Provost and Jonathan Scales. 7 p.m. $10.
>> Blue Monday Blues hosts the Bad Influence Band. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> Ernest “EC3” Coleman is a journeyman drummer whose career has taken him from Virginia to Vegas and back. He’ll lead his group on Monday at Blues Alley. $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Bassist Michael Bowie continues his month long residency at Bohemian Caverns on Tuesday along with his new project, Sine Qua Non, which puts his love of classical Spanish guitar music in a jazz context. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets. $10.
>> Drummer Tony Martucci has long been one of the area’s first-call drummers, as well as a sought after educator. He will be leading an excellent band on Tuesday at Blues Alley that will feature renowned guitarist John Abercrombie. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
