Vocalist Jessica Boykin-Settles is among the many talented artists who will perform as part of the annual Washington Women in Jazz Festival, which begins on Saturday. >> The Omar Hakim Experience performs tonight at The Howard Theatre. See yesterday’s preview for more details. 8 p.m. Tickets $20.
>> Area vocalist Julie Mack leads her group through 8 and 10 p.m. sets tonight at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus food and drink minimum.
>> Eldar was just 17-years-old when he signed his first record deal. Now an established pianist, he leads a trio tonight at Blues Alley. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $25 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Trombonist Chris Bates, based out of Richmond, leads a group on Thursday at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10.
>> Miles Davis is considered a jazz icon for many reasons. He was a visionary musician, a unique improvisor and his bands gave rise to a number of musicians who became jazz legends in their own right. Four generations of these artists join forces on Thursday at Blues Alley for a four night run of 8 and 10 p.m. sets. The band is comprised of drummer Jimmy Cobb, bassist Buster Williams, saxophonist Sonny Fortune and guitarist Mike Stern. Tickets $35 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Keyboardist/drummer Sam Prather‘s profile on the local scene has been steadily increasing over the past few years. His Groove Orchestra draws from multiple genres and plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Thursday at Bohemian Caverns. Tickets $15 in advance/$20 online.
>> The ridiculously gifted multi-instrumentalist, Warren Wolf, leads a very talented band on Thursday at Dukem Jazz. 9 and 10:30 p.m. sets. No cover.
>> Charles Covington is a celebrated pianist in Baltimore’s under-rated jazz community. He will be leading a group of the area’s finest on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> Chopteeth, one of the area’s longest running and most popular afrobeat ensembles headlines The Hamilton on Friday. Also on the bill are Speakers of the House and Head Roc. 8:30 p.m. $18 in advance/$20 at the door.
>> Over the course of two decades and more than 30 recordings, Myra Melford has carved out a distinctive niche among creative music’s most respected jazz pianist-composers. She will be at the Mansion at Strathmore on Thursday to perform original pieces from her excellent album, Life Carries Me this Way, based on the drawings of celebrated California-based visual artist Don Reich. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $22.50 to $25.
>> Avant-jazzers Les Rhinoceros will share an adventurous bill on Friday at Union Arts with Boat Burning and The Fordists. 8 p.m. Contact the venue for cover information.
>> Last year, bassist Michael Bowie assembled a group of the area’s best musicians to form Sine Qua Non. The group includes pannist Victor Provost and saxophonist Lyle Link. Sine Qua Non put out an album, Simple Pleasures, which was among the top local jazz releases of 2013. The band will be at Bohemian Caverns on Friday for 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets. Tickets $20 online/$25 at the door.
>> Kush Abadey‘s father, Nasar Abadey, has long been one of the area’s first call jazz drummers. Kush has been gigging around the city for several years, but now is starting to step out as a band leader. He will be leading an excellent group of local musicians on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 plus food and drink minimum.
>> HR-57 hosts saxophonist Antonio Parker (Friday) and pianist Cesar Orozco (Saturday). 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets $15.
>> Pianist and director Amy K. Bormet once again brings the Washington Women in Jazz Festival to the District. The event begins on Saturday with an album release at Bohemian Caverns for rising vocalist Integriti Reeves. Other highlights include Jessica Boykin-Settles‘ free tribute to Shirley Horn at the Anacostia Community Museum, trumpeter Carol Morgan‘s performance with the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra and a performance at Union Arts featuring Bormet, guitarist Mary Halvorson, drummer Allison Miller, saxophonist Sarah Hughes, trumpeter Jaimie Branch and bassist Karine Chapdelaine. Visit the festival web site for full schedule and ticket information.
>> Specializing in 1940s style swing, the Blue Moon Big Band performs on Sunday at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $10 plus food and drink minimum.
>> Jen Chapin‘s singing style incorporates the improvisational elements of jazz, but the storytelling quality of her lyrics is more akin to America’s rich folk tradition. Chapin leads a trio on Sunday at Bohemian Caverns that features her husband, bassist Stephen Crump, and guitarist Jamie Fox. 7 and 8:30 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 online/$20 at the door.
>> Twins Jazz‘s month long Women in Jazz Sunday series continues this week with bassist Amy Shook and drummer Tony Martucci backing the father-daughter pairing of pianist Fred Hughes and saxophonist Sarah Hughes (Not the one who edits this website). 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus food and drink minimum.
>> Blue Monday Blues hosts the Avon Dews Blues Revue. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> Trumpeter Thad Wilson continues his month-long run of Tuesdays at Bohemian Caverns as the club’s Artist-in-Residence. 7 and 8:30 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 online/$15 at the door.
>> Legendary flamenco guitarist Tomatito leads a string sextet on Tuesday at Lisner Auditorium. The performance is part of Lisner’s flamenco festival. 8 p.m. Tickets $35 to $55.
>> Union Arts hosts yet another creative music session on Tuesday with Double Date, a group featuring saxophonists Brad Linde and Sarah Hughes along with guitarist Anthony Pirog and cellist Janel Leppin. Also on the bill are Wright/Drury/Crossland and Lg Saxophone Ensemble. 8 p.m. $6.
