Experimental guitarist David Torn performs on Monday at Union Arts. >> Legendary fusion outfit The Yellowjackets first formed back in 1977. While the lineup has changed many times over the years, the group continues to put out high quality music that lives up to its long history. The latest iteration includes Bob Mintzer (sax), Dane Alderson (bass), Russell Ferrante (keys), and William Kennedy (drums). The band plays The Howard Theatre tonight. 8 p.m. Tickets $27.50-$52.50.
>> Area native Alex Hamburger and Nicole Davis are students at SUNY Purchase. They teamed up to form the HD Quintet, which will play Twins Jazz tonight. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Trumpeter J.S. Williams splits his time between D.C. and New York and has assembled some fantastic local talent for his 9 p.m. set, taking place tonight at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. The band includes saxophonist Elijah Balbed, pianist Mark Meadows, and others. Tickets $5.
>> Qawwali is an uplifting classical style from the Indian subcontinent. The Yaro Collective is presenting an evening of Qawwali on Thursday in the Chastleton Ballroom (1701 16th Street NW). 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets $20.
>> David Rothenberg, musician and professor at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, has been featured in the New Yorker and on Radiolab. He creates music that explores the relationship between nature and humanity and will be giving a multi-media presentation on Thursday at the Mansion at Strathmore. 7 p.m. Tickets $25.
>> Multi-instrumentalist Warren Wolf leads his Wolfpack on Thursday at Dukem Jazz. The band includes saxophonist Lyle Link, drummer John Lamkin, and bassist Kris Funn. 9 p.m. to midnight. No cover.
>> Brazilian vocalist Cissa Paz takes the stage on Thursday at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. 9:30 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> Bassist James King partners with a collective of area veterans, including drummer Nasar Abadey, guitarist Steve Abshire, and pianist Robert Redd, to play a Jazz Night in Southwest tribute to the great Keter Betts. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5. A free screening of the documentary, The Many Faces of Billie Holiday, follows at 9:15 p.m.
>> Drummer Greg Grainger and his brother, ace bassist Gary Grainger, are Baltimore natives who have toured the world behind celebrated acts like John Scofield and Acoustic Alchemy. The two will pair up with special guest musicians for an 8 p.m. set of in-your-face grooves on Friday at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. Tickets $25 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Saxophonist Dave Wilson takes the stage on Friday at Mr. Henry’s. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item minimum.
>> Joanna Pascale is a prominent member of Philadelphia’s rich jazz community, both as a vocalist and as a jazz educator at Temple University. On her latest album, Wildflower, she brings a warm and inviting style to some of her favorite songs, with help from a number of internationally renowned musicians. The album’s producer, pianist Orrin Evans, joins her quartet on Friday and Saturday at Bohemian Caverns as they celebrate Wildflower‘s D.C. release. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $20 in advance/$25 at the door.
>> Trumpeter Marlon Jordan was among a crop of young New Orleans musicians who dropped with a bang in the 1980s. He never gained the widespread notoriety of his contemporaries, but that does not detract at all from his talent. Jordan will perform on Friday and Saturday with his group at Twins Jazz. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Smooth jazz saxophonist Walter Beasley performs a 7:30 p.m. set at The Birchmere on Saturday. Tickets $45.
>> East River Jazz is partnering with the DC Jazz Festival for a series of performances to celebrate the great Billy Strayhorn, who is best known for his many collaborations with Duke Ellington. On Sunday, the Millennium Stage hosts pianist Janelle Gill, one of the area’s finest, as she leads a group of local all-stars in tribute to the great composer. 6 p.m. Free.
>> David Torn, aka Splattercell, is a unique musical voice whose approach to the guitar and electronics has led to collaborations with David Bowie, Bill Bruford, Don Cherry, and other luminaries in both the pop and experimental worlds. He will be performing on Monday at Union Arts in support of his latest ECM release, only sky. 8 and 9:30 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
>> Most people don’t associate the steel pan with jazz, but then most people haven’t seen Victor Provost perform. He does wonders with the instrument and can play in any genre, from bebop to Latin. Provost will bring his quartet to the Millennium Stage on Tuesday. 6 p.m. Free.
>> Christie Dashiell is one of the District’s most gifted vocalists, and she first made a splash as a soloist with Howard University’s Afro Blue as they made an impressive run on NBC’s The Sing Off. She will be June’s artist-in-residence at Bohemian Caverns and will start her run of Tuesdays next week with 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 in advance/$20 at the door.
