Jonathan Batiste. >> Area trombonist Reginald Cyntje has a Wednesday night residency at Twins Jazz this month, performing weekly with many of the area’s best. The material he is playing are tone poems that are meant to be musical meditations. After the series, he will record an album with the same band, which will be called Love. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Guitarist Leni Stern has explored a number of international genres over her career, and tonight she will bring her African Trio to Blues Alley for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $22 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Mitra Sumara is a singer whose band plays the sounds of pre-revolutionary Iran, blending traditional melodies and rhythms with rock, soul and pop. She will perform two free shows on Thursday, the first at 6 p.m. on the Millennium Stage and then a 9 p.m. set at Tropicalia.
>> If jazz has a true love story, it is the one that exists between Tuck & Patti. After 29 years of performing together and 26 years of marriage, the couple is still going strong with their intimate guitar/voice sound. They will be at Blues Alley from Thursday through Sunday. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $27.50 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Tia Fuller plays arenas as part of superstar Beyoncé’s band, but she is a jazzer at the core. An accomplished saxophonist who has played with masters like Jimmy Heath and Nancy Wilson, she is earning a reputation as a fine bandleader in her own right. Fuller will be at the Mansion at Strathmore on Thursday. 7:30 p.m. The show is sold out, but it’s always worth contacting the box office for last minute availability.
>> Vocalist Emy Tseng has been performing regularly around the area since moving here in 2009. She will bring her blend of straight ahead jazz and bossa nova to Twins Jazz on Thursday for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> The local jazz community suffered a great loss in September with the passing of guitarist Jerry Gordon, an area favorite for over two decades. This Friday, Paul Wingo and Rick Whitehead will lead a group at Jazz Night in Southwest in tribute to their late friend. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> Alfredo Rodriguez was just 21 years old when he caught the ear of music industry legend, Quincy Jones. Five years later, he is starting to assert himself as a pianist, composer and bandleader. Rodriguez will be at the Kennedy Center‘s KC Jazz Club on Friday for 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets. $16 + fees.
>> A founding member of The Flecktones, pianist and master harmonica player, Howard Levy is hitting the road on his own. He will be at the Barns of Wolf Trap on Friday. 8 p.m. $25 +fees.
>> Just 26 years old, Jonathan Batiste is a wonderful pianist, a dynamic performer and is well on his way to joining the pantheon of New Orleans’ jazz greats. His performances are spontaneous, engaging and always immensely entertaining. Batiste will be leading his trio at the historic Bohemian Caverns on Friday and Saturday. 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets. $25 in advance/$30 at the door.
>> Baltimore’s Todd Marcus stands out not only because he plays the bass clarinet, a relatively rare jazz instrument, but he is also a very talented composer. Marcus will be leading his quartet through 9 and 11 p.m. sets on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. He is celebrating his latest release, Inheritance. $20 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Carl Allen is a hard-swinging drummer in the tradition of the great Art Blakey. He will be leading a quartet through 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets on Saturday at the Kennedy Center‘s KC Jazz Club. $26-$30 + fees.
>> Born in the Mississippi Delta and raised in Georgia, Mudcat has been steeped in the blues for his entire life. The energetic performer will be at The Hamilton on Saturday. 8:30 p.m. $20 + fees.
>> The NO BS! Brass Band is a group made of Richmond’s finest musicians. Combining the swing of New Orleans with the swagger of East Coast funk, the band also draws in international influences like klezmer and calypso. The group will be at Tropicalia on Saturday for a 9 p.m. set. No cover. They will also play a free show at the Millennium Stage at 6 p.m.
>> Saxophonist Chris Vadala and trumpeter Chris Gekker are world class instrumentalists, and they both are on the faculty at the University of Maryland. The two will pair up to lead a band in a Sunday afternoon concert at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. 4 p.m. $10-$25.
>> Hamiet Bluiett is considered one of the finest baritone saxophone players of all time. The 72-year old also plays a number of other woodwind instruments, and is a living history of jazz. He will be at Bohemian Caverns on Sunday. 7 and 9 p.m. sets. $22 in advance/$28 at the door.
>> Trumpeter Joe Herrera, saxophonist Matt Rippetoe and percussionist Josh Kay are familiar faces to anyone who has knowledge of the local jazz scene. They play in any number of groups, but the trio came together to form The Harry Bells, performing the songs of Harry Belafonte and other calypso favorites. They will be at Tropicalia on Sunday for an 8 p.m. show. No cover.
>> New York guitarist David Ullmann brings his band to Twins Jazz on Sunday for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Albare is a jazz star in his native Australia, and he is now bringing his classic guitar style to the United states. He will be playing 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Monday at Blues Alley. $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> One of the area’s best saxophonists, or for that matter one of the area’s best musicians, period, Lyle Link continues Artist-in-Residence series at Bohemian Caverns on Tuesday. 7 and 9 p.m. sets. $10 in advance/$15 at the door.
