Akua Allrich.

>> Akua Allrich‘s smile alone could light up any room, but add to that a rich and soulful voice with impeccable taste in material, and you get one of D.C.’s most dynamic vocalists. Her considerable talents are on full display with her latest album, Uniquely Standard, whose release Allrich will celebrate with a show tonight at the venerable Howard Theatre. Performing with her are some of the area’s best, including bassist Kris Funn, vibist/keyboardist Warren Wolf, drummer Carroll Dashiell and saxophonist Tim Green. 6 p.m. doors/8 p.m. show. $17.50 in advance/$24.50 at the door.

>> New York-based electro-jazz outfit, Father Figures, returns to the area for a performance tonight at Arlington’s CD Cellar (2607 Wilson Blvd.). Also on the bill will be experimental guitarist Anthony Pirog and his band. 8 p.m. $5 suggested donation.

>> Trio Ode, with vocalist Rachel Sberro, bassist Russell Sledge and guitarist Alex Martin, performs music in the classic French chanson style, with a mix of original material and standards. The group will be at Twins Jazz tonight for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.

>> Students from the Afghanistan National Institute of Music will play a free 6 p.m. concert on Thursday at the Kennedy Center. The program will include selections of traditional Afghan and Indian music as well as William Harvey’s The Four Seasons of Afghanistan, a recasting of Vivaldi’s masterpiece using traditional instruments. General Admission tickets will be distributed two per person in line in the Hall of Nations, beginning at 5 p.m. The Millennium Stage will feature another Afghan artist the following day. Ariana Delawari is a musician and multi-media artist who will be performing a concert of her original works, which feature a blend of Afghan and Western styles of music. 6 p.m. Free.

>> The funky sounds of Mardi Gras will be on full display tomorrow night at The Howard Theatre as the venue hosts the Nolafunk Mardi Gras Ball Tour.
Kermit Ruffins & The BBQ Swingers, The Stooges Brass Band and The Main Squeeze will perform their booty shaking grooves starting at 8 p.m., 6 p.m. doors. $25 in advance/$30 at the door.

>> Busy local drummer Andrew Hare leads his quartet on Thursday at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.

>> Brooklyn jazz-funk group, Jesse Fischer & Soul Cycle, return to Bohemian Caverns on Thursday to perform music from their latest release Retro Future. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $15 in advance/$20 at the door.

>> In honor of Black History Month, the Bossa Bistro & Lounge will present Echoes of an Era on Thursday. The evening will be a musical tribute to Gil Scott-Heron, Sun Ra, Funkadelic and more. 9:30 p.m. $5.

>> In a career that now stretches 20 years, saxophonist Joshua Redman has gone from a young lion to a respected veteran. He will bring his group to Blues Alley on Thursday for a four night run of 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $40 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.

>> Nearly six years have passed since D.C.’s jazz community lost its long time matriarch, Ronnie Wells (we still miss you, Ronnie). Vocalist Janine Gilbert-Carter pays tribute to Wells on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.

>> Few musicians bring more wit, flair and verve to their instruments than drummer Matt Wilson. Wilson leads a number of different lineups, and will bring his latest group, Arts & Crafts, to the Kennedy Center‘s KC Jazz Club on Friday for 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets. The ensemble includes Terell Stafford (trumpet), Gary Versace (keyboards), and Martin Wind (bass). $26-$30.

>> Vocalist Lauren Annette will perform romantic classics from her album, Standards of Love, on Friday at The Carlyle Club. 8 p.m. $25.

>> Taking after his mentor and idol, Art Blakey, drummer Ralph Peterson has not only established himself as one of the country’s hardest swinging drummers, but also as a bandleader who takes pride in launching the careers of promising young musicians. Peterson will bring his latest group to Bohemian Caverns on Friday and Saturday for 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets. $18 in advance/$22 at the door.

>> Local vocalist Emy Tseng will celebrate the release of her debut album, Sonho, on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. Stay tuned for a full interview with the up-and-coming Latin jazz singer. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. $15 + $10 food/drink minimum.

>> HR-57 hosts bassist Kent Miller (Friday) and The Zet Quartet (Saturday). 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $15.

>> The Kennedy Center hit one out of the park in choosing pianist Jason Moran as its Artistic Advisor for Jazz. Moran will be performing at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets on Saturday with his trio, The Bandwagon, featuring drummer Nasheet Waits and D.C. based bassist, Tarus Mateen. Both shows are sold out, but it’s worth contacting the box office for last minute availability.

>> Blues legend Taj Mahal brings his trio to The State Theatre on Saturday for a 9 p.m. show. $42.

>> Kris Davis has established herself as one of the most free thinking pianist/composers in New York’s busy jazz scene, and will be in town on Sunday with a quintet to play material from her latest release, Capricorn Climber. The show is presented by Transparent Productions as part of its Sundays @ 7 series. 7 and 9 p.m. sets. $15 in advance/$20 at the door.

>> CapitalBop‘s DC Jazz Loft returns to Chez Billy on Sunday with another fantastic lineup of local talent. The 7 p.m. show will feature groups led by drummer Quincy Phillips, steel pannist Victor Provost and trombonist Reginald Cyntje. 7 p.m. $15 suggested donation.

>> Blue Monday Blues hosts guitarist Memphis Gold. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.

>> Most people don’t think of the harp as a jazz instrument, but that is exactly how Brandee Younger views it. The up-and-comer will lead her group on Monday at the Kennedy Center‘s Theater Lab. 6 p.m. Free. Tickets will be distributed in the States Gallery/Roof Terrace Level, two per person in line, starting at 5:30 p.m.

>> John Mayall deserves special recognition from the music community, as his Blues Breakers were among the first British bands to embrace American blues. The movement he helped ignite resurrected the careers of many forgotten American artists, and also gave rise to the careers of Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix. Mayall will be at The Birchmere on Monday, touring to celebrate his 80th birthday. 7:30 p.m. $39.50 + fees.