Pianist/composer and founder of the Washington Women in Jazz Festival, Amy K. Bormet.

>> The big news this week is the Washington Women in Jazz Festival. Now in its third year, festival founder and director Amy K. Bormet has assembled a fantastic slate of concerts and workshops. Highlights include tonight’s opening concert at the Atlas featuring ace drummer Kim Thompson, Friday’s performance by the all-local and all-female big band, Shannon Gunn & the Bullettes, at Jazz Night in Southwest, a more “outside” show from cellist Janel Leppin & Volcanic Ash on Sunday at Bohemian Caverns and next Wednesday’s closing show at the Atlas by legendary pianist Geri Allen. Visit the festival web site for full schedule and ticket information.

>> Since 1998, the Kennedy Center has hosted Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead, an intense training camp for gifted, young jazz musicians. This year’s crop of up-and-coming artists will perform their original compositions on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday on the Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. Free.

>> Carrying on his family’s rich musical pedigree, Ivan Neville brings the modern take on New Orleans music to The Hamilton tonight with his band, Dumpstaphunk. 7:30 p.m. $29.50 + fees.

>> Saxophonist John Kocur teams up with Indian classical vocalist Ranjani Prabhakar tonight for an evening of Indo-jazz fusion at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.

>> Roni Ben-Hur was at the vanguard of a crop of important jazz voices to come out of Israel. The guitarist will lead a group through 8 and 10 p.m. sets tonight at Blues Alley. $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.

>> The Rumba Club leads a Latin dance night on Thursday at at the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club. 7:30 p.m. $20.

>> Joe Keyes is equal parts poet and frontman. He will lead The Late Bloomers Band at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge on Thursday, which aims at re-visiting the fusion and funk of the early ’70s. Call 202-667-0088 for set times and cover.

>> Guitarist Kevin Eubanks is best known for the many years he spent as the musical director for Jay Leno’s Tonight Show band. Since leaving the show, he is back to writing and performing his own music, and will be at Blues Alley for a four night stand that begins on Thursday. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $30 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.

>> DCist was honored to be present when NEA Jazz Master Benny Golson celebrated his 80th birthday at the Kennedy Center. Now 84-years old, the saxophone legend is still going strong, and will be performing 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets from Thursday through Saturday at Bohemian Caverns. $35.

>> Saxophonist Charles Lloyd has forged a rich and diverse career, having played with the likes of Cannonball Adderley and The Doors. He will celebrate his 75th birthday on Friday at the Kennedy Center with a concert featuring a number of musicians from his travels. Stay tuned for a full preview. 8 p.m. $20-$65.

>> Tom Principato, a blues guitarist who has been a mainstay of the local scene for decades, will be playing at the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club on Friday. 8 p.m. $25 + food/drink minimum.

>> Journeyman drummer Kip Williams leads his group, BopNation, on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $15 + $10 food/drink minimum.

>> Area bandleader Doc Scantlin‘s big band, the Imperial Palm Orchestra, specializes in the style of swing that was popular in the ’20s, ’30s and ’40s. The group will be performing at Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club on Saturday. 8 p.m. $35 + food/drink minimum.

>> The Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club hosts veteran saxophonist Bruce Swaim and his group on Sunday. 7:30 p.m. $20 + food/drink minimum.

>> Blue Monday Blues hosts The Moonshine Society. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.

>> Veteran jazz guitarist Chuck Anderson comes to Blues Alley on Monday for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $18 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.

>> Saxophonist Herb Scott concludes his month long residency at Bohemian Caverns with 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets on Tuesday. $10.

>> Featuring a number of area veterans, Swingtopia specializes in the classic style of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman. They will play 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets at the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club on Tuesday. $18 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.

>> Baritone saxophonist Claire Daly plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley on Tuesday. $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.