Legendary South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela performs at the Lisner Auditorium on Sunday. >> Yesterday was, of course, Mardi Gras, and if you weren’t fortunate enough to spend the time in the Crescent City, then you can still catch some of the flavor tonight at the Music Center at Strathmore. Trumpeter and Grammy winner Irvin Mayfield will bring the sounds of Bourbon Street with help from the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. 8 p.m. Tickets $35-$59.
>> Saxophonist Bob Schwartz leads his quartet through 8 and 10 p.m. sets tonight at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Celebrated vocalist Patti Austin joins the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra on Thursday at the Music Center at Strathmore to pay tribute to two icons of the genre: Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald. 8 p.m. Tickets $32-$76.
>> Smooth jazz saxophonist Kim Waters will be at Blues Alley on Thursday to begin a four night stand of 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $43 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Saxophonist Antonio Parker leads a quartet at Dukem Jazz on Thursday. 9 p.m. to midnight. No cover.
>> The Bowie State Jazz Orchestra performs at Jazz Night in Southwest on Friday. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> The always excellent Intersections festival begins on Friday at the Atlas. For the next three weekends, the various performance halls at the venue will be filled with music, movement and spoken word that highlight the mixing of cultures that is so prevalent in Washington, D.C. The District’s jazz community is representing at this year’s festival, with performances from Brad Linde, Veronneau, and more. Visit the event website for full ticket and schedule information.
>> Harry Connick, Jr.‘s career has been nothing if not multi-faceted. Starting with early comparison’s to Sinatra, he has since branched into other genres of music, film and musical theater. Connick will perform at the Music Center at Strathmore on Friday and Saturday. 8 p.m. Tickets $65-$225.
>> The U.S. may have just re-established diplomatic relations with Cuba, but you don’t have to be a jazz connoisseur to appreciate the musical connection the two countries have shared over the decades. Aruán Ortiz is the latest in a long line of Cuban born jazz musicians to make waves here in the States. He’ll lead a trio on Friday and Saturday at Bohemian Caverns. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $20 in advance/$25 at the door.
>> Alex Norris is not only a world class trumpeter, but also a respected educator who is on the faculty at the prestigious Peabody Conservatory. He’ll perform 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Union Arts continues its Creative Music series on Saturday with a focus on guitarists. The bill includes Cyrus Pireh and Jonathan Badger, whose guitar work is complemented by a self-designed projection system. 8 p.m. Tickets $8.
>> The Soul Rebels brass band brings its funky New Orleans jams to The Hamilton on Saturday. 8:30 p.m. Tickets $20-$25.
>> Dendê is a percussionist, singer, composer, bandleader, teacher, and multi-instrumentalist. His music draws from Brazilian, afrobeat, reggae, merengue and other international influences for a dance heavy vibe. He will perform at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club on Sunday with opener Alma Tropicalia. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $20 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Formed in Chicago by percussionist Kahil El’Zabar, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble has undergone many lineup changes, but has nonetheless been performing in some form for 40 years. On Sunday, trumpeter Corey Wilkes and saxophonist Ernest Kahbeer Dawkins will join El’Zabar to celebrate Black History Month at Bohemian Caverns. Part of the Sundays @ 7 concert series. 7 and 8:30 p.m. sets. $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
>> Stanley Clarke was barely out of his teens when he turned the bass playing world on its ear in the early ’70s. His combination of musicality and virtuosity have made him a successful bandleader, sideman and producer in genres ranging from acoustic jazz to funk to film soundtracks. Clarke will bring his band to The Birchmere on Sunday. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $45.
>> South Africa held its first democratic elections in 1994. Trumpeter Hugh Masekela and Vusi Mahlasela have been performing together over the past year to celebrate this occasion. Both are legends in South Africa’s music community, Masekela from the jazz side and Mahlasela from the country’s folk tradition. They will bring their collaboration to the Lisner Auditorium on Sunday. 8 p.m. Tickets $30-$45.
>> Malian griot Cheick Hamala Diabaté and acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Danny Knicely will collaborate on Sunday at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge for From Africa to Appalachia a program aimed at finding the commonalities in two seemingly disparate musical traditions. 8 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> The Airmen of Note is the U.S. Air Force’s premiere jazz ensemble. A quintet from that group, led by saxophonist Grant Langford, will perform on Tuesday at the Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. Free.
>> Drummer extraordinaire Lenny Robinson, one of the DMV’s finest, is this month’s Artist-in-Residence at Bohemian Caverns. His Tuesday night sets will celebrate and pay tribute to jazz great Roy Haynes. 7:30 and 9 p.m. sets. Tickets $10.
