Rising bassist/vocalist leads a trio on Thursday at Twins Jazz. >> Saxophonist Marshall Keys has long been a mainstay of the local jazz community. Tonight, he leads a group of first-call area veterans on the Millennium Stage. The band includes Lafayette Gilchrist (piano), Taurus Mateen (bass), and Lenny Robinson (percussion). 6 p.m. Free.
>> Chaise Lounge performs a brand of easy going, yet sophisticated jazz that was made popular by Capitol Records in the early ’60s. The band will be at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club tonight to play material from its recent holiday recording. 8 p.m. Tickets $25 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Guitarist Aaron Rubenstein leads his quartet through 8 and 10 p.m. sets tonight at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Saxophonist and composer Jonathan Parker has been working in the D.C. area after having completed graduate studies at the prestigious Eastman School of Music. He will be leading an octet tonight at the Wonderland Ballroom, performing material from his forthcoming album, Interloper. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $5 suggested donation.
>> Nicole Saphos is a talented young musician that local music fans need to watch. A recent graduate of Temple University’s excellent jazz program and now based here, Saphos mixes rich lines on upright bass with her classic jazz vocals. She will be at Twins Jazz on Thursday for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> The Harry Bells is a group saxophonist Matt Rippetoe, one of the first local jazz musicians we profiled here on DCist, co-founded with the ubiquitous trumpeter Joe Herrera. The band plays an infectious calypso style inspired by Harry Belafonte. Tomorrow, the ensemble will perform a holiday set at The Quarry House Tavern to benefit Toys for Tots. 8 p.m. No cover but a gift wrapped toy donation is encouraged.
>> Brazilian vocalist Elin, a regular collaborator with Thievery Corporation, leads her group on Thursday at Dukem Jazz. 9 p.m. to midnight. 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.
>> The presence of many military bands in the area adds to the wealth of talent D.C. has on display. On Friday at the Millennium Stage, the U.S. Army Blues, the army’s premiere jazz ensemble, performs a holiday tribute to the great big band leader, Stan Kenton. 6 p.m. Free.
>> Pianist Benjie Porecki brings together some of the DMV’s finest to celebrate the release of his new holiday album on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> Some of D.C.’s best young musicians will be playing at Bohemian Caverns this weekend. The piano/drum combination that is The Jolley Brothers will team up with guest vocalist Christie Dashiell and a string quartet on Friday. On Saturday, multi-instrumentalist Sam Prather leads his Groove Orchestra. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $20 in advance/$25 at the door.
>> D.C. native and saxophonist Ron Sutton, Jr. spent most of his career in New York, playing extended stints with celebrated drummers Art Taylor and Rashied Ali. He will be at Twins Jazz on Friday and Saturday to lead his own quartet through 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Pieces of a Dream, the long-running smooth jazz outfit, performs on Saturday at The Birchmere. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $35.
>> The Sundays @ 7 series at Bohemian Caverns features a stellar trio under the direction of drummer Jeff Cosgrove, an area native. Joining will be bassist William Parker and pianist Matthew Shipp, two stalwarts of New York’s experimental scene. 7 and 8:30 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
>> Trombonist Tony Tovar leads a band on Sunday at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> 76-year old producer, composer and pianist Allen Toussaint is one of the most influential figures in New Orleans’ rich musical tradition. He will be adding some Crescent City spice to seasonal favorites on Monday at The Hamilton. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $28-$38.
>> Local blues legends, The Nighthawks, perform at Blue Monday Blues. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> Trumpeter Dave Detweiler spent 26 years as a member of the U.S. Army Blues. Now retired, he continues a strong teaching practice and still performs regularly. On Monday, he’ll play a holiday show at Blues Alley. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $18 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Tedd Baker is most often seen playing saxophone with the Airmen of Note, the premiere jazz ensemble of the U.S. Air Force. He is also a sought after sideman who has performed with the likes of George Duke and David Sanborn. He is spending December honing his bandleader skills as the Bohemian Caverns Artist-in-Residence, playing 7:30 and 9 p.m. sets every Tuesday. Tickets $10 in advance/$15 at the door.
>> Matt Niess, who plays for the U.S. Army Blues, assembled The Capitol Bones several years ago to showcase his instrument, the trombone. The band, which features five trombonists with a standard jazz rhythm section, plays its annual holiday show on Tuesday at Blues Alley. The 8 and 10 p.m. sets will feature the music of Stan Kenton. Tickets $22 plus minimum and surcharge.
