The MARS 4-tet celebrates the release of its first album on Tuesday at Blues Alley.>> Bassist Michael Bowie and his band Sine Qua Non are one of the most dynamic jazz ensembles in the area. The group includes saxophonist Lyle Link and pannist Victor Provost, and draws from numerous influences. Sine Qua Non plays Alexandria’s Carlyle Club tonight. 8 p.m. $15 plus fees.
>> Pianist Mark Meadows is everywhere this week. Tonight, he’ll be playing Dukem Jazz in Elijah Balbed‘s quartet with bassist Kris Funn and drummer Corey Fonville. 9 and 10:30 p.m. sets. No cover. Meadows will also be leading the house bands for the U Street Jazz Jam tomorrow night, also at Dukem, as well as the DC Jazz Singers Jam on Sunday at the Black Fox Lounge.
>> Celebrated guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli comes to Blues Alley on Thursday to begin a four night run of 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $40 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Vocalist Sandra Johnson leads her band on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> Justin Kauflin lost his sight as a child due to a rare eye disease. His blindness hasn’t stopped him from becoming a rising pianist whose drawn praise from the likes of Quincy Jones and Clark Terry. Kauflin will perform 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets on Friday at the Kennedy Center’s KC Jazz Club. Tickets $20.
>> Two of the area’s finest saxophonists will be leading bands at Bohemian Caverns this weekend. Tedd Baker, who plays on Friday, is most often seen as the lead tenor player with the U.S. Air Force Airmen of Note. Elijah Balbed will play on Saturday with special guest trumpeter Alex Norris. 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets. Tickets $20 online/$25 at the door.
>> For many years, Tony Martucci has been one of the area’s first call drummers. He’s assembled an excellent quintet of DMV mainstays for 8 and 10 p.m. performances on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. The band includes saxophonists Lyle Link and Jeff Antoniuk, as well as ace guitarist John Lee. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> The U Street Funk Parade takes place on Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. In addition to the parade itself, from 5-7 p.m. the event features shows curated by CapitalBop as well as free shows at many U Street music venues from 7 to 10 p.m. Visit the web site for the full schedule.
>> The DODO Orchestra is a retro jazz ensemble that fuses tango, samba, swing, chanson, balkanica, and reggae. The group plays the Millennium Stage on Saturday.
>> Blue Note at 75 is a festival that begins on Sunday and runs through May 11 at the Kennedy Center. The event celebrates the diamond anniversary of the legendary jazz label and features performances throughout the week. An exhibit of album covers highlighting the art and style of designer Reid Miles and photographer Frank Wolff will run for much of May. Performers include Terence Blanchard, Robert Glasper, Norah Jones. There will also be a number of free performances on the Millennium Stage by artists like Lionel Loueke, Derrick Hodge, Marlena Shaw and the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. Visit the festival web site for full schedule and ticket information.
>> Break out your dancing shoes on Sunday as the Swing Machine Big Band plays a 7 p.m. show at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Blue Monday Blues hosts the Stacy Brooks Band. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> The MARS 4-tet is comprised of some of the area’s finest musicians, bassist Max Murray, saxophonist Jeff Antoniuk, drummer Frank Russo and guitarist Donato Soveiro. The band will celebrate the release of its first album, The Blind Watchmaker, on Tuesday at Blues Alley. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $20 plus minimum and surcharge.
