Darius Jones, photo by Peter Gannushkin.>> This year marks the centennial of legendary jazz composer and arranger Gil Evans, whose collaborations with Miles Davis are among the best loved jazz recordings of all time. The Atlas will celebrate the occasion with Out of the Cool: Gil Evans at 100. The program features Evans’ music with several ensembles including nonet, tentet, big band, and jazz orchestra. 8 p.m. $15-$25.
>> Blues Alley hosts local band, Little Bit A Blues tonight for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Celebrating the warming relations between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, the Haitian-Dominican Friendship Concert takes place tonight at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum’s Baird Auditorium. The Dominican Republic’s Enriquillo Tejada y Los Clarinetes Mágicosa selection of merengues and boleros. Haiti’s Tabou Combo, also on the bill, specialize in konpa, a form of dance music from the island nation. 7 p.m. Free.
>> Local saxophonist Bobby Muncy has formed a new group with guitar whiz Anthony Pirog and others. The intriguingly named Kung Fu Bastards will make their debut on Thursday at Twins Jazz. 8 p.m. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> At 87-years old, Roy Haynes is still going strong and enjoying his place in the pantheon of all-time great drummers. He will lead a band through four nights of 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley, beginning on Thursday. $40 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Vocalist and D.C. native Keith Ailer makes his debut at Jazz Night in Southwest on Friday. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> Yamomanem is a local band that brings an authentically funky New Orleans street beat sound to the nation’s capital. They’ll be at The Bayou on Friday for a 10:30 p.m. show. Call 202-223-6941 for cover information.
>> Kris Funn is among the area’s top bassists and in-demand sidemen. In recent months, he has started spreading his wings by leading his own band. The new group will be at Bohemian Caverns on Friday.. 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets. $18.
>> HR-57 hosts regulars Antonio Parker (Friday) and Thad Wilson (Saturday). 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $15.
>> Fiery Latin jazz pianist Benito Gonzalez teams up with saxophonist Azar Lawrence and bassist Ameen Saleem on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. $15 + $10 minimum/surcharge.
>> The Back Alley Theater hosts an evening of experimental jazz on Saturday at 7 p.m. The lineup features solo sets by saxophonist Travis Laplante and trumpeter Peter Evans. Rounding out the bill will be local group, OOO (Tri-O Trio). $10.
>> Veteran local vocalist Heidi Martin leads her band, Moon in Scorpio on Saturday at Bohemian Caverns. 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets. $20.
>> Veronneau is a local band that specializes in Latin and Gypsy jazz. They will celebrate their new album, The Jazz Samba Project, on Sunday with a 3 p.m. show. The recording was inspired by the legendary Stan Getz/Charlie Byrd project of the same name, and the launch event will take place at the All Souls Church, the same venue that hosted the famous session 50 years ago. Tickets are $20.
>> Darius Jones is an immensely gifted saxophonist who pairs the soul of his deep southern roots with a fearless approach to improvisation. He will lead a quartet on Sunday at Bohemian Caverns to support his latest release, Book of Mæ’bul (Another Kind of Sunrise). 7 p.m. $15.
>> Blue Monday Blues hosts harmonica player Lou Jerome Price and his band. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> Lao Tizer, a top keyboardist among Los Angeles session players, will be in town next Tuesday at Blues Alley to lead his own fusion band. The group includes monster violinist Karen Briggs and ace bassist Cheikh Ndoye. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $25 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
