Cellist Janel Leppin’s ensemble, Volcanic Ash, performs on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. Photo by Shervin Lainez>> Elijah Balbed is among a crop of extremely talented young musicians who are making their way up D.C.’s jazz scene. A veteran of the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra and Chuck Brown’s band, he is the May Artist-in-Residence at Strathmore. He culminates his residency with a 7:30 p.m. concert tonight in the mansion. Tickets $15.30 to $17.
>> Peter and Will Anderson are saxophone playing twins, native to Bethesda, Md., who are now pursuing their music studies at Juilliard. Their group will be at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club tonight to celebrate the release of its new album, Reed Reflections. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $20 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Drummer Ernest “EC3” Coleman leads a group through 8 and 10 p.m. sets tonight at Blues Alley. Tickets $25 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Under the direction of drummer Ronnie Burrage, Band Burrage brings together influences ranging from straight-ahead jazz, ’70s fusion, funk and soul, all with the goal of giving the audience a good time. The band will be at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club on Thursday. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $20 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Saxophonist Marshall Keys has been a mainstay of the local scene for decades. He will lead his quartet on Thursday at Dukem Jazz. 9 p.m. No cover.
>> Brazilian vocalist Cissa Paz takes the stage on Thursday at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. 9:30 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> Trumpeter DeAndrey Howard leads a group of area veterans on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> In 1962, saxophonist Stan Getz and guitarist Charlie Byrd released Jazz Samba, a live album recorded at D.C.’s All Souls Unitarian Church. The album went to No.1 on the Billboard pop chart and marked the a key moment in the adoption of Brazilian music into American popular culture. The Jazz Samba Project is a two week program that Strathmore is presenting to celebrate this event. On Friday, saxophonist Ron Kearns will lead a group through a 7:30 p.m. show. Bossa Nova: The Music Which Seduced The World, a documentary by Bret Primack and Ken Avis, will have its world premiere on Monday with 5 and 7 p.m. screenings. Visit the festival website for full schedule and ticket information.
>> Janel Leppin is at the forefront of the area’s experimental scene, notably as part of Janel & Anthony with guitarist Anthony Pirog. She also leads her own ensembles, and her latest group, Volcanic Ash, will perform at Twins Jazz on Friday and Saturday. The group combines electronic explorations with Leppin’s cello, harp, as well as woodwinds. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Jimmy Greene‘s career was on a big upswing as 2012 came to a close. He was getting positive critical reviews, had released a number of albums, and appeared as a sideman on dozens more. Then, the senseless killings at Sandy Hook Elementary took the life of his six-year old daughter. Greene has used music as a form of therapy and is now back on track. He received the 2013 State of Connecticut Governor’s Arts Award in Music and is once again performing with world class musicians. Greene will lead his own band on Friday and Saturday at Bohemian Caverns. 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets. Tickets $22 online/$25 at the door.
>> Smooth jazz supergroup, Pieces of a Dream, begins a 3-night stand of 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley on Friday. Tickets $35 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> D.C. native Tom Principato has been laying down his soulful blues sound for over 40 years. He will play the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club on Saturday. 8 p.m. Tickets $25 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Kevin Norton is a relentlessly exploratory drummer whose talents cross genres from Dixieland to Broadway. He was a first call drummer for the experimental scene that developed around the Knitting Factory. He will bring his latest group, Breakfast of Champions, to Bohemian Caverns on Sunday for 7 and 8:30 p.m. sets. Tickets $15.
>> The Sunday Jazz Lounge was a weekly event that guitarist Rodney Richardson and trumpeter Joe Herrera used to host at Twins Jazz. Each week would feature a guest artist who would play a solo set and then join the Richardson/Herrera group for a full set. The series concluded when Richardson made a move to Chicago, but he is in town for a while so the band is getting back together on Sunday at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Blue Monday Blues hosts harmonica player Charlie Sayles and the Electrofied Blues Band. 6 to 9 p.m. TIckets $5.
>> Veteran saxophonist Marty Nau leads his band through 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Tuesday at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Allyn Johnson is a keystone of the local jazz community. He is arguably the District’s finest pianist and plays an important role as an educator, directing the jazz program at UDC. On Tuesday, Johnson begins a month-long run as June’s Artist-in-Residence at Bohemian Caverns. 7:30 and 9 p.m. sets. Tickets $10.
>> Drummer extraordinaire Jeff Ballard has formed a trio with saxophonist and MacArthur genius Miguel Zenon, along with guitar wiz Lionel Loueke. Their new album, Time’s Tales, is one of the most joyous releases to have been put out this year. The group will be at Blues Alley on Tuesday. Stay tuned for a full preview. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $25 plus minimum and surcharge.
