Vocalist Navasha Daya pays tribute to the late Gil Scott-Heron on Thursday at Bohemian Caverns. >> Joe Brotherton is a mainstay on the local scene and he leads a band every Wednesday at Jojo‘s. 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. No cover. Jam session at 10 p.m.
>> Baltimore’s Orchester Praževica plays high energy music that comes from the traditions of Eastern European Czardas and Gypsy Swing, but also with a heavy dose of jazz and blues. The band will be at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge tonight. 9 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> Saxophonist Rick Alberico leads his group through an evening of straight-ahead jazz tonight at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Area trombonist Shannon Gunn has made it her mission to encourage and provide a platform up-and-coming women in jazz. Under the moniker of The Bullettes, she leads bands of various sizes, all the way up to a full 17-piece, all-female big band. On Thursday, Gunn will lead a quartet at Jazz on Jackson Place featuring two out-of-town guests, Miki Yamanaka on piano and Adi Meyerson on bass, as well as local Savannah Harris on drums. 6:30 p.m. Tickets $30.
>> Fertile Ground was one of the most exciting bands to emerge out of the D.C. area in the late ’90s and early aughts. The group unfortunately called it quits at the start of this decade, but its dynamic vocalist, Navasha Daya, continues to release music and perform. On Thursday, she will lead an outstanding band at Bohemian Caverns in tribute to the great Gil Scott-Heron. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets. Tickets $18 in advance/$23 at the door.
>> Nicole Saphos is a gifted young bassist/vocalist who is becoming increasingly familiar on the local scene, despite being a relatively recent addition. She will lead her band through 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Thursday at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Vocalist extraordinaire Alison Crockett leads an outstanding group of local talent on Thursday at Dukem Jazz. 9 p.m. to midnight. No cover.
>> Jazz harmonica player Hendrik Meurkens performs on Friday at Jazz in the Garden. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Free.
>> Sharon Clark is one of the area’s premiere jazz vocalists and she will lead a group of D.C.’s best veteran jazz musicians on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. The band includes her frequent collaborator, Chris Grasso, on piano, Tommy Cecil on bass, drummer Lenny Robinson and saxophonist Paul Carr. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5. Clark also leads the weekly jazz singers jam session that is held at Jojo’s on Sundays from noon to 3 p.m.
>> Trumpeter Kevin Cordt and his band will revisit the classic recordings of Blue Note Records on Friday at Mr. Henry’s. 8-11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
>> Donvonte McCoy is a first-call local trumpeter and will lead his own quintet on Friday at Bohemian Caverns. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $18 in advance/$23 at the door.
>> A native of Dakar, Senegal, Abdoulaye Ndiaye‘s father is a co-founder of the celebrated ensemble, Orchestra Baobab. The young saxophonist has played with Baobab and has also toured the world on his own. He will lead a group on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Bloombars will put a spotlight on Indian culture this weekend with two days of music, arts and crafts from the subcontinent. Visit the venue’s web site for the full schedule.
>> CapitalBop‘s always excellent Jazz Loft series continues on Sunday at Union Arts. This month’s iteration includes groups led by bassist Jeron White, vocalist Rochelle Rice and a duo performance from Elijah Balbed and Lenny Robinson. 7:30 p.m. $15 suggested donation.
>> Saxophonist Jason Hammers and his band will play 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz on Sunday. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> The Greater U Street Jazz Collective is a group of veteran players who are inspired by the great jazz tradition that came out of that neighborhood before urban blight set in. The ensemble is July’s Artist-in-Residence at Bohemian Caverns, performing 7:30 and 9 p.m. sets every Tuesday this month. Tickets $10.
