Matthew Stevens celebrates the release of his new album on Friday and Saturday at Bohemian Caverns >> Local saxophonist/composer Jonathan Parker leads his talented octet tonight at The Wonderland Ballroom. In addition to Parker’s original music, the band will play tunes by Bob Mintzer, Tom Harrell, and Mulgrew Miller. 8 to 10:30 p.m. $5 suggested donation.
>> The Creative Music series at Union Arts continues tonight with a bill of experimental music that features the duo of percussionist Tim Barnes and electronic wizard Jeph Jerman. 8 p.m. $9 suggested donation.
>> César Orozco leads Kamarata Jazz, an ensemble that draws heavily from his Cuban and Venezuelan roots. The repertoire is based in some of the Orozco’s original compositions, as well as innovative versions of well-known Venezuelan and Cuban pieces from the traditional repertoire. The pianist will lead his band through 8 and 10 p.m. sets tonight at Blues Alley. Tickets $25 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Abinnet Berhanu is an up-and-coming local drummer who will lead a band tonight at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Founded by Greek-born singer, film scorer, and composer Magda Giannikou, Banda Magda moves from samba to French chanson, from Greek folk tunes to Colombian cumbia and Afro-Peruvian lando. The band will perform tonight at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. 9 p.m. Tickets $10.
>> Araya Woldemichael is one of the leading Ethiopian jazz musicians in Washington, D.C., and the leader of the local Ethiojazz group, Feedel Band, which is known for merging R&B and jazz with traditional Ethiopian sounds. Woldemichael will perform on Thursday at Capital Fringe HQ. 7 p.m. No cover.
>> Multi-instrumentalist Michal Urbaniak helped pioneer the fusion movement in the early ’70s. In the ’80s, he collaborated with Miles Davis on Tutu, the jazz icon’s most celebrated album from that period. Urbaniak will perform at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club on Thursday. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $35 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Donald Byrd was a trumpeter who was one of the few bebop era players to successfully embrace funk and R&B without comprimising his jazz aesthetic. He also taught for many years at Howard University and is an even more profound influence as a result. Keyboardist Alex Bugnon and his band will pay tribute to Byrd on Thursday at The Birchmere. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $35.
>> Veteran local pianist Terry Marshall performs 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Thursday at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Dukem Jazz hosts vocalist George V. Johnson and his band on Thursday. 9 p.m. to midnight. No cover.
>> Miles Davis was certainly known for his innovative music, but none of his classic recordings would have reached such heights without the incredible musicians that played on them. Four generations of said artists gather at Blues Alley on Thursday to start a four night run of 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Drummer Jimmy Cobb is the elder of a group that includes bassist Buster Williams, saxophonist Sonny Fortune and guitarist Mike Stern. Tickets $40 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Gloria Lynne had a singing career that spanned a half-century, ending with her retirement in the late naughts. She never got the recognition she deserved despite the 50 year output. Jazz Night in Southwest will host a tribute to Lynne on Friday that will feature vocalist Sandra Johnson. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> Guitarist Matt Ingeneri leads an organ trio at Mr. Henry’s on Friday. The band will be celebrating the centenary of Frank Sinatra’s birth. 8 to 11 p.m. No cover, but two-item minimum per person.
>> When we profiled guitarist Matt Stevens last year, he was road testing material for a forthcoming album. The time has come for that recording’s release, and Stevens will lead a band on Friday and Saturday at Bohemian Caverns to celebrate the launch of Woodwork. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $20 in advance/$25 at the door.
>> On Tuesday, trumpeter/vocalist Kermit Ruffins brings the traditional-jazz sounds of his native New Orleans to The Hamilton along with his band, The BBQ Swingers. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $25-$35.
>> The Raya Brass Band is just as likely to draw sounds from the Balkans as it is from the Crescent City. On Tuesday, the ensemble will share Tropicalia‘s stage with Sandaraa, a band that brings contemporary approaches to traditional Pakistani music. 8 p.m. Tickets $10.
