The Sun Ra Arkestra headlines Along Came Ra, a festival celebrating the centenary of jazz iconoclast Sun Ra’s birth. Photo by Suso Navarrete.

>> Drummer Abinnet Berhanu leads his band through 8 and 10 p.m. sets tonight at Twins Jazz. He has assembled some of the area’s best to join him, including Allyn Johnson on piano, Herman Burney, Jr. on bass and saxophonist Marcus Tenney. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> Antone “Chooky” Caldwell has played bass for the likes of Mariah Carey, Macy Gray, and Snoop Lion. He will lead his own contemporary jazz ensemble on Thursday at Blues Alley. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $27.50 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> Local ensemble Veronneau brings its blend of samba, bossa nova, gypsy jazz and swing to the Carlyle Club on Thursday. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> Guitarist Cristian Perez‘s style starts with his South American roots, the goes on to incorporate jazz, classical and other international sounds. He’ll lead a band through 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Thursday at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> Dukem Jazz hosts up-and-coming vocalist Kristin Callahan on Thursday. 9 p.m. to midnight. No cover.

>> Drummer Phil Butts leads his big band on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5.

>> This year marks the 100th anniversary of Sun Ra‘s birth. The jazz iconoclast, who claimed to be a native of the planet Saturn, was among the most visible members of the afrofuturist movement and had a life that no one could have predicted given his humble beginnings in the Jim Crow south. Along Came Ra… is a three-day festival taking place this weekend, and if there was ever an artist who could bring together jazz and Halloween, Sun Ra is that artist. The festival kicks off on Friday with the marquis performance from the Sun Ra Arkestra, with special guest Bernie Worrell (P-Funk, Talking Heads). A 6:30 p.m. costume procession from the 9:30 Club will precede the 8 p.m. performance, which takes place at the Lincoln Theatre. Tickets $20. Kids in costume get in free if accompanied by a ticket holder, subject to availability.

>> Smooth jazz saxophonist Gerald Albright performs a 7:30 p.m. show on Friday at The Birchmere. Tickets $35.

>> Big band leader Doc Scantlin leads his Imperial Palm Orchestra for the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club‘s second annual Grand Masquerade ball. 8 p.m. Tickets $25 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> Tim Whalen has emerged as one of the D.C. area’s most distinctive pianists. Equally respected for his composing and arranging as he is for his improvising, Whalen’s septet is sure to be creating some intriguing sounds on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> Along Came Ra… will feature a pop-up art exhibit located at 1931 12th Street NW. The space will host a 2 p.m. panel discussion on Saturday with two charter members of the Sun Ra Arkestra, the saxophonists Marshall Allen and Danny Thompson. Thomas Stanley, a professor and the author of The Execution of Sun Ra, Volume 2, will moderate. Free.

>> Pedrito Martinez is a master conguero and his group is becoming a major force in Afro-Cuban jazz. His band will be at the Kennedy Center on Saturday with special guest pianist/vocalist Ariacne Trujillo. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets. Tickets $26-$32.

>> 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 Saturday at Bohemian Caverns. Tickets $18 in advance/$23 at the show.

>> David Benoit was among the pioneers of the smooth jazz sound in the early ’80s. He has released over 25 albums and won five Grammys during his 35-plus year career, and he comes to Blues Alley on Saturday and Sunday for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $35 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> The Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet plays a 6:30 p.m. set on Sunday at the Carlyle Club. Tickets $20 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> The Along Came Ra… festival concludes on Sunday with a show at Liv Nightclub. Musician, writer and activist Greg Tate will lead Burnt Sugar: The Arkestra Chamber through an experience that has been described as a mashup of electric Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix and King Crimson. Local free form improvisors Trio OOO open. 7 p.m. Tickets $18 in advance/$23 at the door.

>> Acoustic Alchemy has spent over 25 years drawing from many musical traditions in order to push the limits of the acoustic guitar. The contemporary jazz veterans will be at The Birchmere on Sunday for a 7:30 p.m. set. Tickets $35.

>> Saxophonist Bobby Muncy plays with a number of acts around town and also leads several of his own ensembles. Kung Fu Bastard is one with an aggressive style that doesn’t hold anything back. The band will be at Twins Jazz on Sunday for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> Blue Monday Blues hosts the Lady Rose Blues Band. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5.

>> Baltimore-based artist Todd Marcus has an intriguing sound not only because he expresses himself on a somewhat unusual instrument—the bass clarinet—but also because he blends music from his Arabic roots into a jazz setting. On Monday, Marcus will lead a world class ensemble to celebrate the release of his latest album, Blues for Tahrir: Music of the Arab Spring. The 7:30 p.m. show takes place at St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church in Rockville. Tickets $12-$20.

>> You may not have heard of Chip Shearin, but if you’ve ever heard Sugar Hill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight,” then you know one of his many memorable basslines. The same is true of Ethan Farmer, who has played bass on hits by everyone from Janet Jackson to the Backstreet Boys. The two master session musicians are teaming up to tour as The Avengers, and will be at Blues Alley on Monday for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $20 plus minimum and surcharge.