Lyle Link will say farewell to D.C. on Thursday with a performance at Dukem Jazz. Photo by Gary Young.>> Herb Scott, the busy local saxophonist, will celebrate his birthday tonight with 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets at Bohemian Caverns. He has assembled an outstanding group of musicians for the special occasion. Tickets $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
>> Versatile chanteuse Nicole Henry takes the stage tonight at Blues Alley for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $25 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Up-and-coming bassist Nicole Saphos leads her band tonight at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Lyle Link has been a mainstay of the local jazz community for nearly 20 years. His soulful playing and affable personality made him a first call for any bandleader seeking to take advantage of his mastery over a variety of woodwind instruments. Sadly for us, Link is relocating to the West Coast and the District will truly miss his talents. He will give a farewell performance tonight at Dukem Jazz. Joining him will be veteran players James King (bass), Chris Grasso (piano) and Lenny Robinson (drums). 9 p.m. to midnight. No cover.
>> Brazilian vocalist Cissa Paz takes the stage tonight at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. 9:30 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> Incendio brings its Latin jazz sounds to Jazz in the Garden on Friday. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Free.
>> Area vocalist Chuck Holden has been called “Maryland’s Jazz Ambassador” for his work to give people of all ages access to jazz education. He will lead a band on Friday at Mr. Henry’s. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
>> Omara “Bombino” Moctar is a guitar hero for the 21st century. Coming out of the rich Tuareg tradition of North and West Africa, his music blends the soul and grooves of his heritage with the swagger of the best blues and rock. Bombino comes to The Hamilton on Friday. 8:30 p.m. Tickets $20-$30.
>> Roy Haynes is one of the all-time great jazz drummers. He began his career playing with the great Charlie Parker and has played with pretty much every great jazz musician of the past 70 years. He is on tour with his Fountain of Youth band to celebrate his 90th birthday, and they will be making a stop at Blues Alley on Friday and Saturday. Tickets $40 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> We mention Akua Allrich‘s name frequently on these pages. This time, it’s to highlight her annual tribute to Miriam Makeba and Nina Simone, taking place on Friday and Saturday at Bohemian Caverns. The event is always a highlight of D.C.’s summer jazz calendar. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $25 in advance/$30 at the door.
>> Johnny Mercer‘s contribution to the Great American Songbook cannot be overstated. The duo of Linda Purl and Lee Lessack pay tribute to Mercer on Friday and Saturday at AMP. 8 p.m. Tickets $30-$45.
>> Trumpeter Aidan Lombard was the youngest of 12 semi-finalists in the 2014 Monk Competition, the most prestigious showcase for young jazz talent. Currently a student at the University of Miami, he will lead his ensemble through 9 and 11 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz on Friday and Saturday. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Singer Tacha Coleman brings her mix of jazz, blues and R&B to Mr. Henry’s on Saturday. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
>> Local MC Christylez Bacon continues his long-running Washington Sound Museum on Saturday and Sunday at The Atlas. For this iteration, he and Irish Sean-nós dancer and instrumentalist, Shannon Dunne explore a fusion of hip-hop and culture from the Emerald Isle. 8 p.m. on Saturday, 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets $12-$15.
>> Under the direction of Joe Bongiovi, the Philadelphia Jazz Orchestra (PJO) brings the best high school and college jazz musicians from the greater Philadelphia and New Jersey region to the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage on Sunday. 6 p.m. Free.
>> >> Aaron “Ab” Abernathy graduated from Howard University’s prestigious jazz program and then went into the hip-hop realm to serve as music director for the underground hip-hop heavyweight, Black Milk. The pianist will return to his jazz roots on Sunday to lead the Nat Turner Band at Bohemian Caverns. 7 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
>> Guitarist Aaron Rubinstein leads his quartet through 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Sunday at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Yours truly often benefits from hearing the Dupont Brass on the walk home after a long day at work. One of D.C.’s favorite street performing ensembles, the band will play the Millennium Stage on Tuesday. 6 p.m. Free.
>> Integriti Reeves is one of D.C.’s many rising vocalists, already a regular performer throughout the area. Reeves will bring a group to Blues Alley on Tuesday for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $20 plus minimum and surcharge.
