Christian Scott will lead his band on Friday and Saturday at Bohemian Caverns. Photo by Kiel Scott. >> Kenny Rittenhouse is one of the area’s finest trumpeters. His band will play 8 and 10 p.m. sets tonight at Blues Alley. Vocalist Darden Purcell will be a featured guest.
>> Up-and-coming saxophonist Sharel Cassity leads her band on Thursday at the Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. Free.
>> Saxophonist Dave Wilson leads a quartet on Thursday at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus food and drink minimum.
>> Mallet percussionist Roy Ayers is one of the most sampled artists of all time. The soul jazz legend will hold court at Blues Alley for a four night run that begins on Thursday. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $40 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Vocalist extraordinaire Sharón Clark will lead her band at Dukem on Thursday. Clark was recently named top female vocalist by the New York-based Bistro Awards, which honor the year’s best performances in jazz, cabaret and comedy. 9 p.m. to midnight. No cover.
>> Veteran area pianist Vince Evans leads a quartet on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> Percussionist Sammy Figueroa has played with a Who’s Who of the jazz and pop worlds, performing with the likes of Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Chaka Khan and Mariah Carey. He will be at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club on Friday to perform with his Latin Jazz Explosion. 8 p.m. Tickets $20 plus food and drink minimum.
>> Trumpeter Christian Scott is moving up the ranks as one of the brightest young stars in jazz. He will bring his self-described “stretch music” to Bohemian Caverns on Friday and Saturday for 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets. Tickets $25 online/$30 at the door.
>> The Latin Grammy nominated Afro Bop Alliance will be at Twins Jazz on Friday and Saturday for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 plus food and drink minimum.
>> HR-57 hosts pianist Mark Meadows (Friday) and Latin vocalist Alfredo Mojica (Saturday). 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets $15.
>> Sonic Circuits is presenting a trio of outstanding experimental artists on Saturday at the Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center. The bill features area cellist Janel Leppin, soundscape artist Andrea Parkins and string player Liz Meredith. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $5 to $10.
>> Antone “Chooky” Caldwell is a first call session bassist and also leads his own smooth jazz ensemble. He will bring his band to the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club on Saturday. 8 p.m. Tickets $22 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Ron Kearns is not only a well-respected local saxophonist, but also a dedicated jazz educator who spent decades teaching in the Montgomery County Public School system. He will lead a band on Sunday at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club with special guest trumpeter Michael Thomas. The performance will be a tribute to Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim. 7 p.m. TIckets $20 plus food and drink minimum.
>> Transylvanian Concert is the latest effort from Romanian pianist-composer Lucian Ban and U.S. violist Mat Maneri. The duo will be performing their exploratory music on Sunday at Bohemian Caverns. 7 p.m. Tickets $15 online/$20 at the door.
>> Maceo Parker is a legendary saxophonist who made his name playing with James Brown, but then went on to appear regularly with P-Funk and Prince, all while leading his own group. He will bring his band to Wolf Trap on Sunday. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $40 to $45.
>> Featuring Jeff Stein, John Storie and Perry Smith, the New West Guitar Group blends electric and acoustic instruments on a mix of covers and originals to create a unique sound. The band will be at Twins Jazz on Sunday for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus food and drink minimum.
>> Pianist Alan Jay Palmer concludes his run as Artist-in-Residence at Bohemian Caverns on Tuesday. 7 and 8:30 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 online/$15 at the door.
