Steve Coleman. >> Local saxophonist Brad Linde continues his tenure at the Atlas to curate its second season of jazz concerts. The ’12-’13 series begins tonight, with saxophonist Steve Coleman, one of the most innovative and influential jazzers of the past 25 years. His M-BASE collective, which is an acronym for Macro – Basic Array of Structured Extemporizations, has been a training ground for Cassandra Wilson, Geri Allen and a host of others. Tonight’s performance will feature his group, The Five Elements, and includes monster drummer and area resident, Sean “The Rick” Rickman. 8 p.m. $15 students/$25 in advance/$30 at the door.
>> Blues Alley‘s Celebrating Grappelli series continues tonight with violinist Susan Jones. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $18 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Pianist Jenny Wilson and her husband, bassist Nathan Wilson, will bring their jazz trio to Twins Jazz tonight for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Based out of West Virginia, the group performs much of the standard repertoire alongside original material that brings hints of Appalachia to their straight-ahead jazz sound. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Stevie Wonder, Prince, Erykah Badu, India.Arie and John Legend are just a few of the stars that have called on Frédéric Yonnet‘s singular harmonica skills. Yonnet will be performing 7:30 and 9:15 p.m. sets at the Mansion at Strathmore, a wonderfully intimate setting for one of D.C.’s finest talents. $30.
>> Lyle Link has been considered one of the area’s top saxophonists for well over a decade. He will be leading a group at Twins Jazz on Thursday. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Grammy winner Fred Hersch is a pianist’s pianist. The restlessly inventive improviser and composer has never achieved the mainstream recognition he deserves, but nonetheless receives universal praise from critics and his fellow musicians. Hersch will lead a trio on Thursday at Blues Alley. $30 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Still just in his early 20s, Elijah Balbed is already among the area’s busiest musicians, and even held the saxophone chair in Chuck Brown’s band before the go-go legend’s passing. He will celebrate the release of his debut album, Checking In, on Thursday at Bohemian Caverns. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
>> Brian Settles is among D.C.’s finest saxophone players, and his huge sound lays the foundation for his post-bop and avant-garde explorations. Settles has made huge strides in his playing over the past few years, and they are documented on his debut recording, Secret Handshake. He will be leading his group on Friday at the Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. Free.
>> Area saxophonist Ron Sutton pays tribute to the great Jackie McLean on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> Veteran pianist Joe Sample leads his trio through a 7:30 p.m. show on Friday at The Birchmere. A founding member of The Jazz Crusaders, Sample has also collaborated with Miles Davis, George Benson, Eric Clapton and others. $55 + fees.
>> There was a time just pre-Nirvana when guitar shredders were all the rage. Acts like Steve Vai and Joe Satriani not only could release all-instrumental albums, but their tracks would even appear on the radio. One of the most important voices from this era was Eric Johnson, whose Grammy winning “Cliffs of Dover” sent countless young guitarists to the woodshed. Johnson never limited himself to pure rock, and has adapted his immense talent to any number of styles. He will bring his latest sounds to The Howard Theatre on Friday for an 8 p.m. show. $35 in advance/$40 at the door.
>> We previewed New York-based brass band Red Baraat when they came to U Street Music Hall earlier this year. The group’s infectious sound, which draws from the rhythms of bhangra, the melodies of Bollywood and the swagger of New Orleans funk, made standing still impossible. The group returns to D.C. for an 8:30 p.m. performance at The Hamilton on Friday. $19 + fees.
>>Nasar Abadey has long been a mainstay of the local jazz scene. The veteran drummer will lead his group, Supernova, through 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets on Friday and Saturday at Bohemian Caverns. $18.
>> Talented young saxophonist Anthony Nelson leads his group through 9 and 11 p.m. sets on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. $15 + $10 minimum/surcharge.
>> HR-57 hosts regulars Antonio Parker (Friday) and Ajay Parham (Saturday). 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $15.
>> Mark O’Connor is a violinist that can do it all. He has recorded classical themes with Yo-Yo Ma, is considered a legend in the folk and bluegrass communities and is a devotee of Stephane Grappelli’s gypsy jazz style. O’Connor will bring the latter to Blues Alley on Friday to kick off a three night stand of 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $45 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> We’ve long been fans of dynamic local vocalist Akua Allrich, whose annual tribute to Nina Simone and Miriam Makeba is always a highlight of our jazz calendar. On Saturday afternoon, she’ll be celebrating the release of her new album, Uniquely Standard, at Bohemian Caverns. 3 p.m. $15 in advance/$20 at the door. Admission includes a download card for the recording.
>> Saturday night’s show at The Hamilton pairs a bona fide legend with one of music’s rising stars. Allen Toussaint‘s compositions and productions have defined New Orleans R&B for nearly 50 years. For this performance, he will collaborate with Shemekia Copeland, who is considered among the top blues singers performing today. While still in her 20s, Copeland opened for The Rolling Stones and headlined festivals around the world. 8:30 p.m. $48.50 – $59 + fees.
>> Up-and-coming New York-based pianist Jason Yeager leads a group on Sunday at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Blue Monday Blues hosts the Deanna Bogart Band. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> Keyboardist and smooth jazz star Keiko Matsui brings her international sounds to The Birchmere on Tuesday for a 7:30 p.m. set. $39.50 + fees.
>> Saxophonist and former music director for the Navy Commodores, Steve Williams continues his passion for big band music as both composer and performer. He has formed a big band using top flight local musicians and will bring the group, Jazz Nation, to Blues Alley on Tuesday for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $18 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
