Vocalist Jessica Boykin-Settles and saxophonist Leigh Pilzer each lead groups this week during the 5th iteration of the Washington Women in Jazz Festival.

>> The Washington Women in Jazz Festival is in full swing this week. The brainchild of pianist Amy K. Bormet is now in its fifth year and boasts a number of first class performances, starting with tonight’s show at the Hill Center, where Carol Morgan (trumpet) and Leigh Pilzer (baritone saxophone) pay tribute to Chet Baker and Gerry Mulligan. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $15 in advance/$20 at the door.

>> José André is a 9-year old piano prodigy and Latin jazz phenom. Oh, and he’s blind. The gifted and inspiring young talent will perform this evening on the Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. Free.

>> At nearly 90 years old, guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli is still going strong with his understated yet deep sense of swing. The jazz giant has been performing on and off for the past 12 years with Ed Laub, a former student with whom he has had a 45-year connection. The two will be at Blues Alley tonight, performing instrumental and vocal arrangements with an emphasis on the Great American Songbook. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $25 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> Local saxophonist Jonathan Parker will lead his band, Panel Counsel, tonight at The Wonderland Ballroom. The band features ace guitarist John Lee. 8 p.m. Tickets $5.

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

>> Regan Brough is most often seen playing bass with the U.S. Army Blues, the Army’s premiere jazz ensemble. Tonight, he leads a band at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington in Rockville, paying tribute to the great trios of pianist Oscar Peterson and bassist Ray Brown. 8 p.m. Free.

>> Frédéric Yonnet plays the harmonica in a way that blends jazz, funk and R&B, leading to gigs with the likes of Prince and Stevie Wonder. His own band will play Strathmore’s new club space, AMP, on Friday. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $35.

>> Veteran area saxophonist Marty Nau leads a band on Thursday at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> The Washington Women in Jazz Festival continues on Thursday with a free performance from festival founder, Amy K. Bormet. The pianist will lead jazz trio with strings at the Smithsonian American Art Museum‘s Kogod Courtyard. 5 to 8 p.m.

>> Matt Wilson is among the most singular drummers in jazz. John Medeski blurs all musical lines through his work with Medeski Martin & Wood along with a host of side projects. These two idiosyncratic musical personalities come together on Thursday at the Atlas for what will surely be a memorable duo performance. 8 p.m. Tickets $22-$28.

>> Veteran local drummer Howard “Kingfish” Franklin leads a group on Thursday at Dukem Jazz. 9 p.m. to midnight. No cover.

>> Cheikh Ndoye is a virtuoso bassist that combines jazz with his West African roots. His career as a bandleader is taking off and he will be leading a group of all-star musicians this Thursday through Saturday at Blues Alley. Baaba Maal, one of Senegal’s most celebrated musical exports, will be a featured guest. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $45 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> Pianist Greg Lamont leads his band on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5.

>> Saxophonist James Carter‘s big break came in the early ’90s when he recorded and toured with the jazz great, Lester Bowie, and then portrayed saxophonist Ben Webster in Robert Altman’s 1996 film, Kansas City. He has since mastered a family of reed instruments, from sopranino to contrabass saxophones, along with contrabass and bass clarinets, and will bring all that talent to bear on Friday and Saturday at Bohemian Caverns. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $23 in advance/$28 at the door.

>> The Rebirth Brass Band, the legendary outfit from New Orleans, will be at The Hamilton on Friday and Saturday for 8:30 p.m. shows. The All Mighty Senators open. Tickets $37-$42.

>> Jeff Antoniuk & the Jazz Update was one of the first local groups we profiled here on DCist. The band is comprised of some of the DMV’s finest veteran artists and they will be making an appearance on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> Over the next two weekends at Artisphere, UrbanArias, D.C.’s contemporary opera company, presents the world premiere of BLUE VIOLA by composer Peter Hilliard and librettist Matt Boresi. The piece tells the story of a priceless instrument that disappears after its owner, a player in the Chicago Symphony, accidentally leaves it on the street. The music crosses many genres, but draws heavily from jazz and Chicago blues. Full schedule and ticket information is available here.

>> Jessica Boykin-Settles is one of D.C.’s best vocalists and on Sunday she will pay tribute to the great Billie Holiday at the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum. Boykin-Settles will take the audience through a “guided tour” of the late legend’s life using imagery and music from her own band. 2 p.m. Free. Part of the Washington Women in Jazz Festival.

>> On Sunday evening, the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club hosts a 20-minute short that was the seed to the triple Academy Award winning film, Whiplash, followed with a concert performed by the Hank Levy Legacy Band. Filmmaker Damien Chazelle says inspiration for the film came from the music of the late, great Maryland musician, composer and educator Hank Levy, who was a long-time faculty member at Towson University (but not nearly as mean as J.K. Simmons’ Oscar winning character). The ensemble will play Levy’s music, which is known for its challenging time signature changes. 7 p.m. Tickets $10-$15.

>> Kenny Wesley‘s music combines elements of funk, classical, folk, and jazz with a deeply soulful voice and strong piano chops. He will perform at Bohemian Caverns on Sunday. 7 and 9 p.m. sets. Tickets $18 in advance/$23 at the door.

>> Regina Carter is easily the most recognizable jazz violinist of the last 20 years. She comes to The Birchmere on Sunday for a 7:30 p.m. show. Tickets $39.50.

>> The Fourth Stream, a world jazz collective featuring a rotating cast of musicians, performs an 8 p.m. set on Sunday at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. 8 p.m. No cover.

>> Even though he is held in high esteem by jazz aficionados, John Abercrombie is not often name-checked among the all-time great jazz guitarists, which is unfortunate given his being so prolific. That’s all the more reason to check him out on Sunday at Blues Alley. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $35 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> With cherry blossom season upon us, Blues Alley will be celebrating the advent of spring with a series of performances featuring artists from the Japanese diaspora. Pianist Manami Morita leads a group on Monday and violinist Machiko Ozawa plays the club on Tuesday. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $20 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> Howard University’s all-female vocal ensemble, SaaSY, performs for the Washington Women in Jazz Festival on Tuesday with a performance at Sankofa. 7 p.m. Free.

>>Howard “Kingfish” Franklin continues his month long run of Tuesday nights as this month’s Artist-in-Residence at Bohemian Caverns. 7:30 and 9 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 in advance/$15 at the door.