Todd Marcus will lead an 11-piece ensemble to perform selections from his latest album, Blues for Tahrir, tonight at Blues Alley. >> Several years have passed since we interviewed bass clarinetist Todd Marcus, who stands at the center of Baltimore’s underrated jazz community. He drew from his Egyptian heritage to compose a suite for his latest album, Blues for Tahrir, which is based around the recent upheaval in Cairo that was part of the Arab Spring. He will perform the piece tonight at Blues Alley, leading an 11-piece band through 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $25 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Saxophonist Daniel Bennett will be at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club tonight for a free 7:30 p.m. performance. Bennett’s group is touring in support of its new album, Mystery Clown Castle, a mix of folk and minimalistic jazz.
>> Area pianist Joe Vetter leads his quartet through 8 and 10 p.m. sets tonight at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> 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.
>> The legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band, an institution in the Crescent City, will pay a visit to The Birchmere on Thursday for a 7:30 p.m. show. Tickets $35.
>> Kurtis Adams has performed with a number of big names as a featured saxophonist and is an award winning composer. He currently serves on the music faculty at Shepherd University and will be in the District on Thursday to perform 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Vocalist Irene Jalenti leads a quartet on Thursday at Dukem Jazz. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. No cover.
>> Veteran area guitarist Pete Muldoon leads a sextet on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> Led by guitarist and singer Bruce Hampton, Col. Bruce Hampton & the Aquarium Rescue Unit were a jazz fusion outfit that blended multiple styles in a freewheeling manner, leading them to be associated with the jam band movement. The band will be at The Howard Theatre on Friday for an 8 p.m. show. Tickets $27.50 to $62.50.
>> Celebrated Latin jazz percussionist Poncho Sanchez will bring his Afro-Cuban stylings to Blues Alley on Friday for a 3-night run of 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $40 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Over two years have passed since we lost Mulgrew Miller, the wonderful pianist who played with the likes of Art Blakey, Duke Ellington and Betty Carter, while also leading his own groups. Baltimore-based saxophonist Tim Green will pay tribute to this great artist on Friday and Saturday at Bohemian Caverns. His band will include ace pianist Allyn Johnson and drummer Warren Wolf. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $18 in advance/$23 at the door.
>> Tim Whalen has emerged as one of the D.C. area’s most distinctive pianists. Equally respected for his composing and arranging as he is for his improvising, Whalen’s septet is sure to be creating some intriguing sounds on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Charles Covington is a music professor at Peabody Conservatory and has performed with legendary artists such as Herbie Hancock, the late Clark Terry and B.B. King, and others. He will be performing on a Hammond B-3 as he leads an organ/guitar/drums trio on Saturday at the Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. Free.
>> The Creative Music in D.C. series continues at Union Arts on Saturday with a bill that includes Jason Ajemian‘s Folklords, Nate Scheible and a recitation by Dr. Thomas Stanley. 8 to 11:30 p.m. Tickets $10.
>> Siné Qua Non is one of the most refreshing jazz groups to arise out of the local scene in recent years. The ensemble, under the direction of bassist Michael Bowie, also features pannist Victor Provost, vocalist Christie Dashiell and other top DMV musicians. The band will be at the Hill Center on Sunday as part of the on-going summer concert series that CapitalBop curated. A Q&A will precede the 5 p.m. performance. Free.
>> Many of the DMV’s top blues artists, including Stacy Brooks, Memphis Gold and Clarence “The Bluesman” Turner will assemble at The Carlyle Club on Sunday to pay tribute to the late, great B.B. King. 6 p.m. Tickets $30 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Saxophonist Nathan Reising is the latest in a long line of artists to come out of the University of Maryland’s jazz program and add voice to the local jazz community. He’ll be at Twins Jazz on Sunday. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Kenyan singer Atemi Oyungu has been compared to musical greats like Miriam Makeba and Jill Scott. She began to attract attention in her homeland with an all-girl group, Intu and has continued since with solo albums and tours. Oyungu will perform at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge on Sunday. 9 p.m. Tickets $7.
>> Lenny Marcus has long been a familiar pianist in area venues. He will perform 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Monday at Blues Alley. Tickets $20 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> A long time protégé of the late saxophonist Jackie McLean, pianist Alan Jay Palmer is an established educator, composer, and performer based out of New York. His more recent credits include stints with trumpeter Roy Hargrove’s quintet and work as music director for rapper Common. He is this month’s Artist-in-Residence at Bohemian Caverns and will be playing 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets every Tuesday in August. Tickets $10 in advance/$15 at the door.
>> Blues guitarist and singer Jarekus Singleton will be at Blues Alley on Tuesday. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $22 plus minimum and surcharge.
