Master bassist Stanley Clarke plays a 4-night run at Blues Alley this week. >> Vocalist Abbe Buck performs jazz and pop standards from a bygone era, specializing in music that was written between the 1930s and 1960s. Buck will lead a group tonight at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $12 plus food and drink minimum.
>> Saxophonist Kenny G is synonymous with smooth jazz. He will be at the Birchmere tonight for a 7:30 p.m. set. Tickets $65 plus fees.
>> Blues singer Lady Rose pays tribute to the incomparable Koko Taylor and Etta James on Thursday at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $10 plus food and drink minimum.
>> Vocalist Kristin Callahan performs 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Thursday at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus food and drink minimum.
>> Stanley Clarke took bass playing to new heights when he exploded onto the scene in the early ’70s. He made his name playing with the likes of Stan Getz, but was also at the forefront of the fusion movement and went on to pen a number of pop, funk and R&B hits as well as dozens of movie soundtracks. Clarke will be at Blues Alley for a four night stand that begins on Thursday. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $60 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Larry Brown has been among the area’s first call pianists for decades and will be leading a group of local veterans on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> Keyboardist Keiko Matsui came up as a smooth jazz artist who later moved toward a world music/new age sound. She will her band at the Birchmere on Friday. 7:30 p.m. $39.50 plus fees.
>> A native of Baltimore and an alum of Howard University’s famed jazz program, drummer Winard Harper has a strong connection with the District. He has played with a number of jazz luminaries, beginning with pioneering vocalist Betty Carter. Harper will bring his latest group, the Jeli Posse to the Kennedy Center on Friday for 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets. Tickets $26 to $30.
>> Dianne Reeves has done more than enough to earn her place among the pantheon of celebrated jazz singers. The 4-time Grammy winner will lead band of world class artists on Friday at the Music Center at Strathmore. 8 p.m. Tickets $26 to $70.
>> Mike Pryor and his band, MP3, serve as the house band at Ulah Bistro‘s Friday night jam. 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. No cover.
>> Drummer Ralph Peterson is slated to lead a group on Friday and Saturday at Bohemian Caverns. However, the club is currently closed because of a freak accident that happened over the weekend. Those with tickets or interested in attending should call the venue in advance.
>> Saxophonist Ron Sutton is a D.C. native who has spent time playing with elder statesman drummers like Rashied Ali and Art Taylor. He is back in the District to lead his group through 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Friday and Saturday. Tickets $16 plus food and drink minimum.
>> HR-57 hosts regulars Antonio Parker (Friday) and AJ Parham (Saturday). 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets $15.
>> Saxophonist Javon Jackson teams up with drummer, NEA Jazz Master and D.C. native Jimmy Cobb on Saturday at the Kennedy Center. Cobb is the last surviving musician from Miles Davis’s iconic Kind of Blue sessions, and the two musicians will bring pianist George Cables and bassist Nat Reeves to pay tribute to another legend from that band, John Coltrane. Tickets are sold out, but it’s worth contacting the box office for last minute availability.
>> Blue Monday Blues hosts the Feelgood Blues Band. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> A British singer of Trinidadian decent, now based in New York, Tessa Souter has a haunting and international style that has led to sold-out performances around the globe. She will perform 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley on Monday. Tickets $20 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Vocalist Lizz Wright straddles the line between jazz and R&B. She will perform at the Birchmere on Tuesday along with guitarist Raul Midon. 7:30 p.m. $35 plus fees.
>> Saxophonist Marty Nau hosts his weekly jam at Twins Jazz on Tuesday. 8 p.m. Tickets $10 plus food and drink minimum.
>> Antonio Ciacca was born in Germany, raised in Italy and came to the States in the early ’90s because of his love of American jazz and gospel music. After performing with the likes of Benny Golson and Art Farmer, Ciacca eventually moved back to Italy where he is a familiar face at festivals all over Europe. His quartet is currently touring the United States and he will be at Blues Alley on Tuesday for 8 and 10 p.m. sets.
>> Robben Ford is one of the world’s premiere electric guitarists. He played with George Harrison in the ’70s, Miles Davis in the ’80s and has been releasing albums as a leader for the past 35 years. Ford will bring his latest group to The Howard Theatre on Tuesday. 8 p.m. Tickets $25 in advance/$30 day of show.
