Victor Wooten leads his band tonight at The Birchmere. >> Victor Wooten is deservedly name checked among the all-time great electric bassists. His work with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones broke new ground for the instrument and he has not stopped evolving. Wooten will be at The Birchmere tonight to lead his own band through a 7:30 p.m. set. Tickets $35.
>> Saxophonist Bob Schwartz leads his quartet tonight at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Drummer William Hooker has been an important voice in New York’s avant-garde scene for over 30 years. His trio will be playing 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Thursday at Twins Jazz. Check out our full preview. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Vocalist extraordinaire Christie Dashiell will hold court at Dukem Jazz on Thursday. 9 p.m. to midnight. No cover.
>> This weekend’s lineup at the Loews Madison Hotel features Trio Caliente (Thursday, 6 to 9 p.m.), pianist Eric Byrd‘s Trio on Friday and Veronneau on Saturday (8 to 11 p.m.). No cover.
>> Pianist/vocalist Freddy Cole lived for many years under the shadow of his legendary brother, Nat King Cole. In his later years, however, the broader public has become aware of his talents and his career has seen a major resurgence over the past decade or so. Cole will begin a four night run of 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Thursday at Blues Alley. Tickets $25 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Tony Taylor was one of D.C.’s top singers during the U Street heydays of the ’50s and ’60s. In fact, he was one of the owners of Bohemian Caverns for close to a decade, with his run ending after the 1968 race riots. He continued to serve as a mentor to many young musicians who came up in this city. Alumni from his long-running band, Lettum Play, will convene on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest to pay tribute to Taylor. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> Area native and drummer Aaron Seeber was generating a buzz while still in high school. Now pursuing a music degree, he’s in town for a spell and will be leading an organ quartet on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. Veteran saxophonist Paul Carr will be a featured soloist. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Orrin Evans was among a talented crop of young lions to emerge in the 1990s. Now established, he’s played as a sideman with a number of world class artists and is breaking new ground with his own band. He performs fairly regularly in the District and will bring his quartet to Bohemian Caverns for 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Friday and Saturday. Tickets $20 in advance/$25 at the door.
>> Pianist Ellis Marsalis is the patriarch of the most famous family in jazz. He recently teamed up with one of his sons, trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis, to record The Last Southern Gentlemen, an intimate album meant to reflect the relaxed lifestyle that gave birth to jazz. The two will be at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club on Saturday to play material from the recording. 8:30 p.m. Tickets $30 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Charles Covington, Jr. is a very respected music educator, having served on the faculty at Howard and Peabody. He has specialized in the styles of early jazz piano masters like James “Eubie” Blake, Art Tatum, and Errol Garner. Outside of jazz, Covington has also earned the title of U.S. Life Master in competitive chess. The renaissance man will be leading a trio at the Millennium Stage on Saturday. 6 p.m. Free.
>> Vocalist Leslie Casey performs 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Sunday at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Blue Monday Blues hosts Big Joe & the Dynaflos. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> Trumpeter Mike Wade is a D.C. native now based in Ohio. His resume includes gigs with saxophonist Steve Wilson and pianist Mulgrew Miller. Wade will lead a band on Monday at Blues Alley. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $18 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Joe Herrera continues his run as this month’s Artist-in-Residence at Bohemian Caverns. On Tuesday, he’ll be performing with The Harry Bells, a group he co-founded with saxophonist Matt Rippetoe, one of the first local jazz musicians we profiled here on DCist. The eight piece group plays an infectious calypso style, drawn from and inspired by Harry Belafonte’s songbook. 7:30 and 9 p.m. sets. Tickets $10.
