Rudresh Mahanthappa performs at Blues Alley on Thursday and Friday>> Al Di Meola has been at the forefront of the guitar world since his stint with Return to Forever in the ’70s. Tonight and tomorrow, he will team up with exceptional Latin pianist, Gonzalo Rubalcaba at the Barns of Wolf Trap. 8 p.m. $40.
>> Local saxophonist and recent Bohemian Caverns Artist-in-Residence, Herb Scott, leads his group through 8 and 10 p.m. sets tonight at Twins Jazz. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Otis Taylor has developed a sparse and hypnotic style that has come to be known as “trance blues.” You can catch his unique sound tonight at Blues Alley. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $27.50 + minimum/surcharge.
>> Guitar legends John Scofield and Mike Stern will team up on Thursday for 7:30 and 10 p.m. sets at The Howard Theatre. Stay tuned for a full preview. $25 in advance/$30 day of show.
> Paul Bollenback is a guitarist’s guitarist, whose name belongs up there with the likes of Scofield and Stern. For some reason, he hasn’t achieved that kind of wide recognition, but is nonetheless one of the most respected jazz musicians out there. He will be at the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club on Thursday along with veteran area saxophonist, Marshall Keys. 8 p.m. $20 + food/drink minimum.
>> Adventurous saxophonist Rudresh Mahantappa‘s Gamak incorporates Western forms of jazz, progressive rock, heavy metal, country, American folk, go-go, and ambient while simultaneously engaging the rich traditions of Indian, Chinese, African, and Indonesian music. The band will celebrate the release of its new album on Thursday and Friday at Blues Alley. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $25 + minimum/surcharge.
>> On Thursday, rising trumpet star Christian Scott begins a 3-night run at Bohemian Caverns. His band includes one of the area’s finest bassists, Kris Funn. Two sets each night at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. $25 in advance/$30 at the door.
>> Local guitar/cello duo Janel & Anthony will play the Millennium Stage on Friday. 6 p.m. Free.
>> Pianist Vince Evans leads his quartet on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> Rachelle Ferrell brings her unique blend of jazz, soul and pop to The Birchmere on Friday. 7:30 p.m. $59.50.
>> Ali Ryerson consistently tops critics polls as one of the finest flutists in jazz. She will pay a visit to the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club on Friday. 8 p.m. $20 + food/drink minimum.
>> The Kennedy Center opens up its Supersized Jazz Club this weekend with two acts aiming to get people up on their feet. On Friday, Me’Shell N’Degeocello will join Jason Moran & Friends to celebrate the music of Fats Waller. On Saturday, Soulive will deliver its funky grooves. Both shows are sold out, but it’s worth contacting the box office for last minute availability.
>> Veteran local trumpeter Thad Wilson pays tribute to the great Sarah Vaughan on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz, with help from vocalist Allison Crockett. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $15 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Celebrated smooth jazz keyboardist Keiko Matsui will be at the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club for an 8 p.m. set on Saturday. $80.
>> Saxophonist James Carter leads his organ trio on Saturday and Sunday at Blues Alley. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $37.50 + minimum/surcharge.
>> The Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club hosts the James Bazen Big Band on Sunday. 7:30 p.m. $20 + food/drink minimum.
>> Blue Monday Blues hosts singer Queen Aisha and her band. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> Howard University’s wonderful vocal jazz ensemble, Afro Blue, performs at Blues Alley along with the HU Jazztet. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $18 + minimum/surcharge.
>> Saxophonist Perry Conticchio has been gigging and playing area venues since moving here in the mid-’70s. He will be at the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club on Tuesday with a band that includes trombonist Greg Boyer. 8 p.m. 7:30 p.m. $20 + food/drink minimum.
>> Grammy award winners and legendary percussionists, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez and Giovanni Hidalgo team up at Lisner Auditorium on Tuesday to celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month with a Latin Jazz Jam. 7:30 p.m. Free, but tickets must be reserved in advance.
>> Latin Grammy winning Afro Bop Alliance plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Tuesday at Blues Alley. $20 + minimum/surcharge.
>> Talented young saxophonist Elijah Balbed continues his run as Artist-in-Residence at Bohemian Caverns on Tuesday. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets. $10 in advance/,$15 at the door.
>> Next week, excellent local saxophonist Lyle Link begins a run of Tuesday nights at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
