Bassist and D.C. native Ben Williams celebrates the release of his new album on Friday at The Hamilton. >> Herbie Nichols was not only an excellent pianist, but he was among the finest composers to come out of the bebop era. Saxophonist Brad Linde leads a band, Strange City, at the Atlas tonight to pay tribute to the under-appreciated great. 8 p.m. Tickets $22-$28.
>> Celebrated trumpeter Sean Jones performs a second straight night at Blues Alley, but this one is with his own group. 8 and 10 p.m. sets.
>> Bassist Nicole Saphos continues her run of Wednesday nights at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Proyecto Jazz brings its Latin sounds to Bossa tonight. 9 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> The Big Band Jam! continues this week through Friday at Freedom Plaza (14th and Pennsylvania, NW). The event features free performances by middle school, high school, and university jazz bands from across the country and around the world. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
>> Freda Payne is best known for her 1970 R&B hit “Band of Gold,” but she has spent most of her decades-long career in the jazz world, working with greats like Duke Ellington and Billy Eckstine. Payne will lead a band on Thursday at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $30-$40 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Shana Tucker is a cellist/singer-songwriter who dubs her style as “ChamberSoul,” which brings together a jazz-influenced sound that draws from R&B and soulful pop. She’ll be at Bohemian Caverns on Thursday for 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets. Tickets $18 in advance/$23 at the door.
>> Ernesto “Gato” Gatell is one of the most recognized and beloved Cuban singers alive today. Upon immigrating to the U.S. as an Artist of Extraordinary Ability in 2014, he immediately formed his own musical group, Gato’s Sin Frontera, which combines Afro-Cuban folkloric music with contemporary styles like Latin jazz, world, funk, and son. The band will perform an 8 p.m. show tomorrow at the Atlas. Tickets $22-$28.
>> Abinnet Berhanu is an up-and-coming local drummer who will lead a band on Thursday at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Dynamic vocalist Alison Crockett leads an excellent group of locals on Thursday at Dukem Jazz. 9 p.m. to midnight. No cover.
>> Excellent area trumpeter Michael Thomas leads his quintet on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> Vocalist Michael Mwenso and his band, The Shakes, will bring their Jazz Age speakeasy sounds to AMP on Friday for what could easily make for a gin-soaked night. 8 p.m. Tickets $10-$14.
>> Gilberto Gil is an icon of Brazilian music with a career that spans over 30 albums and four decades. He will perform on Friday at Lisner Auditorium. 8 p.m. Tickets $45-$75.
>> D.C. native Ben Williams won the prestigious Monk Competition in 2009, landing him a recording deal and launching a career that includes work with a host of jazz greats. His latest album, Coming of Age, was released just this week and he will play material from the recording at Friday’s homecoming show at The Hamilton. Local favorite Akua Allrich opens with her group. 8:30 p.m. Tickets $20-$25.
>> DCist was honored to be present when NEA Jazz Master Benny Golson celebrated his 80th birthday at the Kennedy Center. Now 86-years old, the saxophone legend and composer of standards like “Killer Joe” and “Stablemates” is still going strong. Golson’s band will be performing 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Friday and Saturday at Bohemian Caverns. Tickets $35 in advance/$40 at the door.
>> Talented young saxophonist Anthony Nelson leads his group through 9 and 11 p.m. sets on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> The 12th annual Georgetown French Market, held in Georgetown’s Book Hill neighborhood, takes place this Friday and Saturday. Saturday’s festivities include jazz street performances from the likes of Yamomanem Jazz, the Red Hot Rhythm Chiefs, Laissez Foure and others. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
>> The Smithsonian continues its celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month, which includes a performance by the Brad Linde Expanded Ensemble in tribute to the great Ella Fitzgerald. The concert, taking place on Saturday in the Smithsonian American Art Museum‘s Kogod Courtyard, features Toronto-based trumpeter and vocalist Tara Kannangara. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Free.
>> The Larri Branch Agenda, a group out of Richmond, performs 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Sunday at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Tim Berne‘s Snakeoil, one of the avant-garde scene’s premiere ensembles, launches its new album, You’ve Been Watching Me, with a performance on Sunday at Bohemian Caverns. 7 p.m. Tickets $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
>> The Calvin Jones Big Band Jazz Festival returns to the University of the District of Columbia on Monday, once again featuring ensembles from UDC, the University of Maryland and Howard University. Named after the late and beloved UDC director of jazz studies, the festival began in 1987 as part of a citywide tribute to Duke Ellington, and it remains a favorite on the local jazz calendar. 8 p.m. Tickets $10-$20.
>> The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra pays tribute to Ella Fitzgerald on Monday with 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. D.C.’s own Sharón Clark, a true jazz singer’s jazz singer, will sing the classic melodies. Tickets $22.50 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Local saxophonist Herb Scott concludes his run as April’s Artist-in-Residence at Bohemian Caverns with 7:30 and 9 p.m. sets on Tuesday. Tickets $10 in advance/$15 at the door.
>> Saxophonist Andrew White is nothing short of a local legend. He has been performing or recording for over 50 years with a who’s who of jazz greats, and he is also considered among the world’s foremost authorities on the music of John Coltrane. White will lead a group on Tuesday at Blues Alley to celebrate the 50th anniversary of A Love Supreme, Coltrane’s classic recording. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $25 plus minimum and surcharge.
