Akua Allrich. >> Jazz vocalist Jacqui Naylor plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets tonight at Blues Alley. Tickets $22 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Keyboardist Isamu leads a trio tonight at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus $10 food and drink minimum.
>> Local keyboardist Will Rast leads his band, The Funk Ark, on Thursday at the Black Cat. The group will open for the afro-beat big band, Antibalas. 8 p.m. doors. Tickets $18 in advance/$20 at the door.
>> New York-based trumpeter Joe Pino will be in town on Thursday to lead a group at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus food and drink minimum.
>> Eclectic vocalist Rachelle Ferrell comes to Blues Alley on Thursday to begin a four night stand of 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $60 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Pianist Janelle Gill and bassist Amy Shook lead an all-female group on Friday at Jazz Night at Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> The jazz season at the Kennedy Center gets under way on Friday with a performance by talented young saxophonist Grace Kelly. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets. Tickets $26 to $30.
>> Renowned Cuban-born pianist Roberto Fonseca brings his inventive take on Latin jazz to the Artisphere on Friday. 8 p.m. Tickets $19 to $32.
>> Bohemian Caverns will be showcasing some the area’s best talent this weekend. Pianist Noble Jolley will lead a group on Friday and bassist Kris Funn‘s band will be in the cave on Saturday. 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets. Tickets $18 online/$22 at the door.
>> In addition to his duties with the Air Force big band, the Airmen of Note, saxophonist Tedd Baker leads his own band. His ensemble will be performing 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. Tickets $16 plus food and drink minimum.
>> On Saturday, The Dunes will host Under the Counter, a variety show featuring comedians, local rock band The Man + The Machine and a jazz octet under the direction of saxophonist Jonathan Parker. 8 p.m. Tickets $8.
>> Legendary pianist Ahmad Jamal brought a whole new vocabulary to the piano in the ’50s and also brought a new level of interaction to the small group format. He will be at the Kennedy Center on Saturday, performing with his quartet, with Kennedy Center’s Artistic Advisor for Jazz, Jason Moran, playing a solo opening set. 7:30 p.m. Tickets are sold out but it’s worth contacting the box office for last minute availability.
>> Akua Allrich is one of the city’s most dynamic vocalists and her tribute performances to Nina Simone and Miriam Makeba are not to be missed. Allrich will lead her group on Sunday at the G40 Art Summit. 4:30 p.m. Tickets $10.
>> Wynton Marsalis brings the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra to the Kennedy Center on Sunday for Abyssinian: A Gospel Celebration. The performance will also feature two gospel choirs. 5 p.m. Tickets $35 to $85.
>> Veteran saxophonist Perry Conticchio will lead a band on Sunday at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $20 plus food and drink minimum.
>> Smooth jazz saxophonist Dee Lucas performs 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Sunday at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus food and drink minimum.
>> Blue Monday Blues hosts pianist Vince Evans. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> Renowned trumpeter Roy Hargrove will be at Blues Alley on Tuesday to launch a six night run of 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $40 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Local vocalist Heidi Martin leads a fantastic group on Tuesday at Ben’s Next Door. The band includes trumpeter DeAndre Shaifer, bassist Kris Funn and drummer John Lamkin. 9 p.m. No cover.
