Pianist Vijay Iyer performs “Music of Transformation” on Thursday at Strathmore. Photo by Jimmy Katz.

>> Tonight marks the first of two performances this week by MacArthur “geniuses” who have joined forces with talented filmmakers. Miguel Zenón has forged an impressive body of work by digging deep into his Puerto Rican heritage as a source of inspiration. He and video artist David Dempewolf have come together to create Identities are Changeable: Tales of the Diaspora, combining music, language and images to explore the experience of Puerto Ricans who have moved to the mainland and to New York City. The show comes to the Atlas tonight. 8 p.m. Tickets $20-$32.

>> Jeff Coffin is probably best known as the current saxophonist in the Dave Matthews Band, but his resume includes long stints with Bela Fleck & The Flecktones as well as several projects that he leads. His band, the Mu’tet, combines virtuosity with musicality to create a wholly satisfying listening experience. The group plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets tonight at Blues Alley. Tickets $25 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> Saxophonist Bob Schwartz leads his quartet tonight at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> Mike Stern got his big break playing with Miles Davis in the early ’80s and has been at or near the top of the jazz guitar game ever since. Eric Johnson is best known for his song, “Cliffs of Dover,” which was a hit song during the guitar shredder era of the late ’80s and early ’90s, despite its being an instrumental. The two will share the stage on Thursday at The Birchmere. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $45.

>> Sharón Clark is a definite standout among D.C. vocalists. She has one numerous awards and competitions and has recently taken to adapting classic soul and R&B tunes into her classic jazz style. Clark performs at the Carlyle Club on Thursday. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> For centuries, long before the tradition was (mis)appropriated for “color runs,” Indians have been dousing each other with brightly dyed powder to celebrate the spring festival of Holi. The pianist, MacArthur “genius” and Harvard professor Vijay Iyer, teams up with filmmaker Prashant Bhargava on Thursday for Radhe Radhe: Rites of Holi, a film documenting the festival. Iyer’s composition accompanying the piece with live orchestra is based on Stravinsky’s Rites of Spring, which premiered 100 years ago. Radhe Radhe is one half of Music of Transformation, taking place at the Music Center at Strathmore, and the second half will be a performance of Mutations, an Iyer work recently released on ECM Records that features the International Contemporary Ensemble. 8 p.m. Tickets $18-$55.

>> Elijah Balbed is all over the local scene, and the talented saxophonist will lead his group on Thursday at Dukem Jazz. 9 p.m. No cover.

>> A two-time Grammy nominated songwriter, guitarist, and producer, Jonathan Butler has built and impressive 25-year career in the pop, R&B, smooth jazz and adult formats. He begins a four night stint at Blues Alley on Thursday. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $48-$50 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> Saxophonist Tissa Khosla is a native of Mumbai, India. He is now based in D.C. and attempting to start a career as an educator and musician. Khosla leads his band at Twins Jazz on Thursday. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> The Feedel Band brings its infections blend of jazz and Ethiopian music to the Bossa Bistro & Lounge on Thursday. 10 p.m. Tickets $5.

>> A group of the area’s finest veteran players come together as the New Jazz Collective on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. TIckets $5.

>> Chicago bassist, vocalist, and composer Katie Ernst wraps her jazz swing in a cushion of folk, indie and minimalist sounds. She will perform at the Kennedy Center on Friday as part of its Discovery Artist series. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets. Tickets $22.

>> Baltimore native Romeir Mendez is continuing the tradition of great bassists to come out of this area. He will lead a band on Friday and Saturday at Bohemian Caverns. The ensemble features a must-see horn section in the form of trumpeter Terrell Stafford and bassist Tim Warfield. Allyn Johnson, arguably D.C.’s finest jazz pianist, is also in the group. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $20 in advance/$25 at the door.

>> Cuban/Venezuelan pianist, composer, and band leader Cesar Orozco moved to the U.S. in 2012 and he has been gaining attention along with his band, Kamarata Jazz. The group will be at Twins Jazz for 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Friday and Saturday. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> Acclaimed jazz pianist George Cables celebrates his 70th birthday later this month and will perform at the Kennedy Center on Friday to mark the occasion. He has performed with the likes of Roy Haynes, Sonny Rollins, Dizzy Gillespie, and Sarah Vaughan over the course of his 50 year career. His band will include Victor Lewis, one of the world’s finest straight-ahead jazz drummers. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets. Tickets $26-$32.

>> Duduaka Da Fonseca (drums), Maucha Adnet (vocals), Helio Alves (piano), and local artist Chuck Redd (vibraphone) are all world class musicians. They will team up for a set of Brazilian jazz on Sunday at the Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. Free.

>> Though there are artists out there with a more visible profile, Buster Williams must be name checked among the top bassists of his generation. The Miles Davis alum has led his own ensemble, Something More, for decades and it features a rotating cast of musicians. On Sunday, legendary drummer Lenny White, pianist Patrice Rushen and saxophonist Steve Wilson will join Williams at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $30 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> CapitalBop‘s monthly Jazz Loft takes place on Sunday at Union Arts. 7 p.m. $15 suggested donation.

>> Tony Martucci has been one of the area’s first call drummers for decades. He generally performs as a sideman, but on Sunday he’ll lead his own group through 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> Christie Dashiell is among the most promising vocalists we have on the local scene. She wowed national TV audiences during Afro Blue’s impressive run on NBC’s The Sing Off, and is now starting to develop her own career. Dashiell will be at Blues Alley on Monday to play 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $20 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> A lot of buzz has been surrounding Marianne Solivan in recent years. The New York based vocalist will drop by Blues Alley on Tuesday and her band will include the long time ace local drummer, Lenny Robinson. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $20 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> Saxophonist Marty Nau re-starts his Tuesday night residency at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> Vocalist George V. Johnson Jr., a long time presence on the local scene, will play Bohemian Caverns every Tuesday this month as the historic club’s November Artist-in-Residence. 7:30 and 9 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 in advance/$15 at the door.