Norah Jones.>> The always eclectic Smithsonian Folklife Festival kicks off today and will feature acts ranging from George Clinton to musicians from Azerbaijan. Check out the full schedule of events here.
>> The 6th Annual Nordic Jazz Series continues this week. Visit the web site for full schedule, ticketing and venue information.
>> Her smokey blend of jazz, country and blues made 2002’s Come Away With Me one of the most successful debut albums of all time. Norah Jones has never returned to that level popularity, and is probably just fine with that. She continues to put out quality music and will showcase her latest album, the Danger Mouse produced Little Broken Hearts. Wolf Trap. 8 p.m. $30-$50 + fees.
>> Chaise Lounge performs a style of sophisticated yet easy going jazz that was epitomized by releases on Capitol Records in the early ’60s, and which was commonly heard in coffee shops on every college campus before social upheaval changed things. The band will be performing at Blues Alley tonight in support of their new album, Insomnia. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Frank Vignola is a virtuoso guitarist who has played with artists ranging from Madonna to Wynton Marsalis. He is also an expert in the gypsy jazz sound that falls in the tradition of the great Django Reinhardt. He will focus on this style tonight with 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. $15 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Lou Donaldson was a cornerstone of the hard-bop and soul-jazz sound of the ’50s and ’60s. At 85-years old, the legendary saxophonist is still going strong. On Thursday, he will front and organ/guitar/drums rhythm section for what are sure to be swingin’ 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $27.50 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> The Washington Jazz Ensemble is comprised of some of the area’s best veteran musicians. They will perform on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> Saxophonist Maceo Parker made his name playing with James Brown at the height of the funk icon’s cultural influence. He has since played with most of the major names in funk, jazz and R&B, and also led a decades long solo career. Parker will bring his grooves to the State Theatre on Friday. 9 p.m. $27.
>> Still in his early 20s, saxophonist Elijah Balbed has already become one of the most recognizable faces on the local scene. The talented young saxophonist will lead his own group through 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets on Friday and Saturday at Bohemian Caverns. $15.
>> HR-57 hosts regulars Antonio Parker (Friday) and Cheney Thomas (Saturday). 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $15.
>> The fusion era of the 1970s was among the most fertile in jazz history. A seminal group from this period was Lifetime, formed by the late drumming phenom, Tony Williams. Spectrum Road is a band comprised of Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid, drummer Cindy Blackman (Lenny Kravitz, Santana), organist John Medeski (Medeski Martin & Wood) and bass legend Jack Bruce, who broke new ground with Cream and the original Lifetime. Spectrum Road will be at The Howard Theatre on Saturday for an 8 p.m. show. Stay tuned for a full preview. $45 in advance/$50 at the door.
>> Brian Settles has one of the biggest tones you’ll hear coming out of a tenor saxophone, and that has made him one of D.C.’s most in-demand musicians. Settles will lead his own group, Central Union, through an early 7 p.m. set on Sunday at Bohemian Caverns. $15.
>> Busy local saxophonist Bobby Muncy will hold a Sunday night residency at Twins Jazz in July. He kicks off the month with a quartet that includes monster pianist Allyn Johnson. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Blue Monday Blues hosts pianist Vince Evans and his band. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> Trombonist Matt Niess and trumpeter Graham Breedlove are both members of the U.S. Army Blues, one of the many fine military jazz ensembles in the area. The teamed up outside of their day gig to form Voodoo Bugaloo, a band specializing in the musical majesty of New Orleans. The group will play 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley on Monday. $18 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> A typical bass solo from Tarus Mateen contains about 100 years of musical history and tradition. His talents have led to gigs and sessions with jazz greats like Terence Blanchard and Betty Carter, as well as pop stars such as Sean “Puffy” Combs and Christina Aguilera. Mateen will hold court every Tuesday in July at Bohemian Caverns as the club’s Artist-in-Residence. 7 and 9 p.m. sets. $10.
>> In anticipation of the Fourth, trombonist and vocalist Eric Felten will lead his 19-piece big band on Tuesday at Blues Alley. The program will feature popular songs from the World War II era. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $25 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
