Mary Halvorson performs tonight at Union Arts as part of the Washington Women in Jazz Festival’s marquee concert. Photo by Peter Gannushkin. >> The marquee event of this week’s Washington Women in Jazz Festival takes place tonight at Union Arts. A sextet featuring guitarist Mary Halvorson, drummer Allison Miller, saxophonist Sarah Hughes, trumpeter Jaimie Branch, bassist Karine Chapdelaine and pianist/festival producer Amy K. Bormet will perform. 8 p.m. $20. The festival concludes this weekend, so make sure to visit the website for the remainder of the program. Highlights include saxophonist Leigh Pilzer and trombonist Jen Krupa playing the work of Melba Liston, as well as drummer Isabelle De Leon‘s trio with special guest vocalist Integriti Reeves and tap dancer Melissa Frakman.
>> Vocalist Akua Allrich has two performances this week, the first of which takes place tonight at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $12 plus food and drink minimum. On Thursday, she leads a group at Dukem Jazz. 9 p.m. No cover.
>> The first of two Tuareg Saharan groups to come to D.C. this week will be playing tonight at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. Imarhan Timbuktu’s dance grooves have been a hit at festivals across the world. 9 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> Mixing her Ethiopian roots with American folk and jazz, as well as her San Francisco upbringing, singer-songwriter Meklit is forging a sound all her own. The up-and-coming artist will be at the Mansion at Strathmore on Thursday for a 7:30 p.m. show. Tickets $18-$20.
>> Woodwind artist James Bazen has been leading groups in the D.C. area for decades. He will bring his latest project to the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club on Thursday. 8 p.m. Tickets $10 plus food and drink minimum.
>> Guitarist Kevin Eubanks is best known for his lengthy stint as the bandleader on Jay Leno’s nightly talk show. He will lead a group through four nights of 8 and 10 p.m. at Blues Alley, beginning on Thursday. Tickets $35 plus food and drink minimum.
>> Shannon Gunn & the Bullettes, the DMV’s only all-female big band, will perform on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest as part of the Washington Women in Jazz Festival. The ensemble will pay tribute to the great Count Basie. 6 to 9 p.m. TIckets $5.
>> Pat Metheny has been among the forefront of jazz guitarists for 40 years and shows no sign of slowing down. His Unity Group includes drummer Antonio Sanchez, D.C. native Ben Williams on bass, multi-instrumentalist Giulio Carmassi and saxophonist Chris Potter. The band will be at the Music Center at Strathmore on Friday. 8 p.m. Tickets $35-$81.
>> As of Friday, the weekly U Street Jazz Jam, which used to be at Ulah Bistro, has moved to the Climax Lounge. 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. No cover.
>> Veteran saxophonist Jim Snidero leads a quartet on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $16 plus food and drink minimum.
>> Saxophonist Craig Handy first gained notice through his portrayal of the great Coleman Hawkins in Robert Altman’s 1994 film, Kansas City. For his latest project, 2nd Line Smith, Handy draws from his fondness for the music of New Orleans. He will lead the band on through 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets on Friday and Saturday at Bohemian Caverns. Tickets $20 online/$25 at the door.
>> HR-57 hosts bands led by saxophonist Antonio Parker (Friday) and drummer Ernest “EC3” Coleman III (Saturday). 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets $15.
>> Tinariwen‘s music reflects the harsh yet beautiful landscapes of the members’ home countries in Northwest Africa. This band of Tuareg musicians have gained considerable notoriety in Europe and North America, leading to collaborations with Wilco’s Nels Cline and TV on the Radio’s Tunde Adebimpe. Tinariwen is on tour to support its latest release, Emmaar, and the Washington Performing Arts Society presents the group on Saturday at the Sixth and I Historic Synagogue. 8 p.m. $25.
>> Since moving to the United States in 1995, Eri Yamamoto has established herself as one of jazz’s most original and compelling pianists and composers. She leads her trio at the latest installment of Bohemian Caverns‘ Sundays @ 7 series. 7 and 8:30 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 online/$20 at the door.
>> The fact that his father is a Hollywood icon is probably both a blessing and a curse to bassist Kyle Eastwood, who has been leading groups and releasing albums since the late ’90s. Eastwood leads a group on Sunday at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club to support his sixth album, The View From Here, which draws from both jazz and international influences. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $20 plus food and drink minimum.
>> The Women in Jazz Sunday Series continues this week at Twins Jazz with saxophonist Leigh Pilzer and trombonist Jen Krupa joining a rhythm section under the direction of bassist Amy Shook. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus food and drink minimum.
>> Blue Monday Blues hosts the Vince Evans Blues Band. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> Saxophonist/flautist Kaori Kobayashi is well known in her native Japan and will perform on Monday at Blues Alley as part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $20 plus food and drink minimum.
>> Saxophonist Marty Nau continues his Tuesday night residency at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. TIckets $10 plus food and drink minimum.
