Lou Donaldson.>> Area native Ben Williams was playing local gigs when he was just in his early teens. Since winning the Monk Competition in 2009, his career has skyrocketed. The talented young bassist will make a homecoming tonight at the Atlas, where he will lead his band, Sound Effect. 8 p.m. $15-$30.
>> Violinist Miles Stiebel‘s ability to cross genres has led to gigs from Presidential galas to celebrations for foreign dignitaries. He will lead a group tonight through 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Area native Paul Pieper has long been a fixture of the local scene and has toured the world as a sideman. The veteran guitarist will be playing Blues Alley on Thursday. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $18 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Paul Carr is one of the area’s best saxophonists, jazz educators and producer of the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival. He will lead a group of top-flight local talent on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest to celebrate his new recording, Standard Domain. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> 2013 NEA Jazz Master Lou Donaldson began his recording career on Blue Note Records in 1952, with many all-time greats cutting their teeth in his band, including Horace Silver, Clifford Brown, Grant Green, Blue Mitchell and Donald Byrd. He has performed on hundreds of recordings and will be at Bohemian Caverns this Friday and Saturday for 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets. $35 in advance/$40 at the door.
>> Acclaimed woodwind artist Anat Cohen will be at the Kennedy Center on Friday to play jazz that incorporates elements of classical music, Brazilian choro, and Argentine tango. The legendary Heath Brothers will pay a visit to the venue on Saturday. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets. $26-$30.
>> Flautist/composer Jamie Baum will Yard Byard this Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. The band is a tribute to the great jazz pianist, saxophonist, composer, arranger, and educator, Jaki Byard. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. $15 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> HR-57 hosts regulars Antonio Parker (Friday) and Cheyney Thomas (Saturday). 9 p.m.to 1 a.m. $15.
>> Pianist David Benoit might be best known for his smooth jazz work, but of late he has been focusing on acoustic, straight-ahead jazz. The 5-time Grammy winner will be at Blues Alley from Friday through Sunday. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $32.50 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> CapitalBop continues to stage cutting-edge jazz at alternative spaces throughout the city. On Saturday, it presents the Art of the Soloist, which features unaccompanied performances by saxophonists Brian Settles and Jonah Parzen-Johnson, as well as guitarist Anthony Pirog. The show takes place at Meeps in Adams Morgan, with an after party featuring vocalist Heidi Martin.10 p.m. $10.
>> Vocalist Rochelle Rice, a Howard grad who is often seen with jazz-infused house band House of Soul, will be making her solo debut on Sunday at the All Soul’s Church, Unitarian. Her band will feature drummer John Lamkin, bassist Eric Wheeler and Warren Wolf. 3:30 p.m.$10-$20.
>> Innovative woodwind artist Don Byron will perform 7 and 9 p.m. sets at Bohemian Caverns on Sunday. Stay tuned for a full preview. $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
>> Few jazz musicians have attained the stature of pianist Ramsey Lewis. Is 50+ years in the business have made him a true elder statesman. Last year, Lewis assembled an electric band to revisit his 1974 classic, Sun Goddess, which was a collaboration with members of Earth Wind & Fire. That tour was such a great experience, the 77-year old legend returned to the studio to record Taking Another Look with the same young musicians. The band will make a stop at The Birchmere on Sunday to play material from the album. 7:30 p.m.$65 + fees.
>> Blue Monday Blues hosts guitarist Memphis Gold. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> Pianist Bill Harris has been a familiar face on the local scene for decades. Next Tuesday, he’ll lead a band through 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $18 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
