A revamped lineup of Jazz Is Dead celebrates The Grateful Dead’s 50th anniversary tonight at The Howard Theatre. >> Indian classical vocalist Arvind Venugopal and his ensemble, Tvameva, will deliver a program of traditional and crossover South Asian music tonight at Bump n’ Grind Coffee in Silver Spring. 6:30 to 8 p.m. $5 suggested donation.
>> Nearly 40 years after its formation, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band is synonymous with the infectious music of New Orleans. The band tours relentlessly and will make a stop at The Hamilton tonight. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $25-$30.
>> There are all sorts of Grateful Dead events going on this year to celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary. The jazzer’s take on the iconic group happens tonight at The Howard Theatre, where bassist Alphonso Johnson leads the latest version of Jazz is Dead, a quartet of all stars who toured in various iterations during the late ’90s and early aughts. 8 p.m. Tickets $30 to $65.
>> Busy area saxophonist John Kocur brings his long-running quartet to Blues Alley tonight for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. The sets will draw heavily from his two albums, Fortitude and The Smoker. Tickets $20 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Great On Paper is a quartet comprised of Kevin Sun (saxophones), Isaac Wilson (keyboards), Simón Willson (bass) and Robin Baytas (drums). The Boston-based ensemble cites influences from Steve Coleman to Paul Bley to Stevie Wonder, and will be at Twins Jazz tonight for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> The Harry Bells is a group that saxophonist Matt Rippetoe (one of the first local jazz musicians we profiled here on DCist) co-founded with the ubiquitous trumpeter Joe Herrera. The band plays an infectious calypso style inspired by Harry Belafonte and will perform tonight at The Wonderland Ballroom. 8:30 p.m. $5 suggested donation.
>> Tara Trinity, an award-winning songwriter, classically trained pianist and vocalist with a 3 1/2-octave range, leads a group playing world jazz and soul tonight at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. 10 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> Area trombonist Reginald Cyntje writes compositions that blend jazz, Caribbean, and African sounds with a healthy sense of spirituality. He will lead the latest version of his ensemble on Thursday at the Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. Free.
>> Nico Sarbanes is a trumpeter and Baltimore native who is playing his first show in the area tonight after having completed his music studies in Montreal. His group will play 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Three Man Soul Machine headlines a three-band bill on Thursday at Velvet Lounge. 8:30 p.m. Tickets $8.
>> The El Reys takes some of the area’s most creative improvisors, including guitarist Anthony Pirog, cellist/bassist Janel Leppin, and saxophonist Bobby Muncy, and put them in an entirely different context: a surf band straight out of 1964. They will join opener Marcus Webb on Thursday at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. 9:30 p.m. Tickets $10.
>> Singer Steve Tyrell brings his classic jazz sound to the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club on Thursday and Friday. 8 p.m. Tickets $35-$45 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> The celebrated jazz duo of Tuck & Patti have been performing together for 35 years and will come to Blues Alley on Thursday for a four night run of 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $27.50 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Clarinetist Seth Kibel leads his band on Friday at Jazz in the Garden. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Free.
>> Trumpeter Freddie Dunn first came to the attention of local music fans through his work with Fertile Ground, one of the best bands to come out of the area in the late ’90s. He will lead his new band on Friday on the Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. Free.
>> Allen Houser was a respected local trumpeter who passed away in 2014 at the age of 73. A number of area veterans, including bassist Steve Novosel and trumpeter Tom Williams will convene at Jazz Night in Southwest for a tribute. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> It’s a weekend of vocalists at Mr. Henry’s with Anthony Compton performing on Friday and Cecily on Saturday. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
>> Drummer Alex Snydman earned rave reviews for his debut album, Fortunate Action. He and his L.A.-based trio is touring the East Coast and will be at Twins Jazz on Friday and Saturday. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Bohemian Caverns is dark the next couple weekends, a clear sign of the August doldrums, so this is as good a time as any to check out the excellent Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra. The best music deal in the District, the BCJO brings together 17 of the area’s best players for a night of fantastic music for just $10. 8 to 11 p.m.
>> 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. He will also be the featured act tomorrow night at Dukem Jazz. 9 p.m. to midnight. No cover.
>> Veteran guitarist/vocalst Allan Harris will be at Blues Alley on Tuesday to play songs from his latest recording, Black Bar Jukebox. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $25 plus minimum and surcharge.
