Ethnic Heritage Ensemble. >> A member of the U.S. Army Blues and the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, trumpeter Kenny Rittenhouse has a powerful sound that is perfect for his swinging, hardbop style. He will be leading his own group tonight at Blues Alley to celebrate the release of his new album, New York Suite. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Zeebop, a band featuring Mark Caruso on guitar, Justin Parrott on acoustic and electric bass and Gregg Ivers on percussion, bring together modern jazz with a host of other influences. They’ll be at Twins Jazz tonight for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> French chanson has played an influential role in jazz history, not only in Europe, but also here in North America. On Thursday, the New York Festival of Song will come to the University of Maryland’s Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center to pay tribute to two of the genre’s greatest songwriters, the Belgian-born Jacques Brel and Frenchman Charles Trénet. 8 p.m. $10-$45.
>> Smooth jazz saxophonist Kim Waters begins a four night stand at Blues Alley on Thursday. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $37.50 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Local vocalist Bonnie Harris pays tribute to the late, great Etta James on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. Her band includes some of the city’s finest. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> Ibrahim Electric is an eclectic, jazz-based trio from Copenhagen, Denmark that brings together jazz, pop, afro, and funk. The band will be at the Millennium Stage on Friday. 6 p.m. Free.
>> Finnish guitarist Olli Hirvonen takes the stage at the Kennedy Center‘s KC Jazz Club to mark the first major jazz performance of the on-going Nordic Cool festival. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets. $25.
>> INTERSECTIONS is a festival that seeks to connect the broadest possible audience with the most exciting new ways of making community-inspiring art. The event kicks off on Friday at the Atlas, and brings together over one hundred acts from all artistic media, including jazz saxophonists Aakash Mittal, John Kocur and Sarah Hughes. Visit the website for full schedule and ticketing information.
>> Jeremy Pelt was instantly a rising sensation on the trumpet when he first arrived in New York, fresh out of music school. Now, fifteen years later, he is an established performer who continues to put out high quality music. Pelt will be playing material from his latest album, Water and Earth, on Friday and Saturday at Bohemian Caverns. 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets. $22 in advance/$27 at the door.
>> Veteran local drummer Lenny Robinson leads his quartet on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $16 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> HR-57 hosts regulars Antonio Parker (Friday) and Alfredo Mojica (Saturday). 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $15.
>> Jimmy Herring (The Dead, Widespread Panic), Michael Landau (Joni Mitchell, Michael Jackson) and Wayne Krantz (Steely Dan, Billy Cobham) have been among the most sought after session guitarists for decades. These days, they all lead their own groups, but on Saturday they will team up to from The Ringers at The Howard Theatre. 6 p.m. doors. 8 p.m. show. $25 in advance/$30 at the door. Stay tuned for a full preview.
>> Formed in Chicago by percussionist Kahil El’Zabar, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble has undergone many lineup changes, but has nonetheless been performing in some form for 40 years. On Sunday, trumpeter Corey Wilkes and saxophonist Ernest Kahbeer Dawkins will join El’Zabar to celebrate Black History Month at Bohemian Caverns. Part of the Sundays @ 7 concert series. 7 and 9 p.m. sets. $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
>> D.C.’s resident guitar virtuoso, John Lee, brings his trio to the Bossa Bistro & Lounge on Sunday. The band includes saxophonist Matt Rippetoe. 9 p.m. Call 202-667-0088 for cover information.
>> Blue Monday Blues hosts Nadine Rae & the All-Stars. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
