Pharoah Sanders performs at Bohemian Caverns this weekend. Photo by Quentin LeBoucher.

>> The DC Music Salon celebrates five years of thought provoking discussion of the District’s musical heritage and legacy. The ’15-’16 series begins tonight with Charlie Byrd’s Word! at the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Neighborhood Library. There will be a screening of a rare TV special that the legendary guitarist filmed in Bogota in the 1970’s as well as other clips assembled by local filmmakers Ken Avis and Bret Primak. 7 p.m. Free.

>> Blues legend Taj Mahal plays The Hamilton tonight. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $38-$55.

>> Strathmore‘s Uncommon pAIRings series, which features unusual duos comprised of alums of its artist-in-residence program, continues tonight with Russian guitarist Piotr Pakhomkin and kora player Amadou Kouyate. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $17.

>> Veteran area saxophonist Rick Alberico leads his band through 8 and 10 p.m. sets tonight at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> Kevin Mahogany brings his rich and soulful voice to Blues Alley tonight for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. One of his sets can draw from jazz, blues, gospel, and the Great American Songbook. Not only is he a fine musician, but he is also a respected jazz educator. Tickets $25 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. 10 p.m. Tickets $5 at the door.

>> Trombonist Reginald Cyntje will be leading a group of D.C.’s finest on Thursday at the Howard University School of Law’s Houston Hall. The band includes pianist Allyn Johnson, vocalist Christie Dashiell, who was just recently named a semi-finalist to the prestigious Monk Competition, and others. 6:30 to 9 p.m. Free.

>> The Creative Music series at Union Arts continues on Thursday with a bill that features a duo with cellist Audrey Chen and found-object percussionist Flandrew Fleisenberg. Also on the bill is a local quartet featuring Jenny Moon Tucker, Layne Garrett, Luke Stewart and Pony Payroll Bones. 8 p.m. Tickets $10.

>> Up-and-coming bassist Nicole Saphos leads her band on Thursday at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> The Funk Ark, under the direction of keyboardist Will Rast, focuses on afrobeat music, but features some of D.C.’s best jazz players, including trumpeter Joe Herrera and saxophonist Matt Rippetoe. The band plays an 8 p.m. show on Thursday at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. Tickets $25 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> Strathmore’s resident jazz quartet, under the direction of saxophonist Marty Nau, pays tribute to Charlie Parker on Thursday at AMP. 8 p.m. Tickets $20-$30.

>> Veteran area saxophonist Paul Carr leads a group of excellent local musicians on Thursday at Dukem Jazz. 9 p.m. to midnight. No cover.

>> Born in Tigzirt-sur-Mer, Algeria, singer-songwriter Kamel Zennia‘s music is rooted in the Kabyle Berber culture. He will bring his rich sound to the Bossa Bistro & Lounge on Thursday. 10 p.m. Tickets $5 at the door.

>> Joanne Brackeen has been a trailblazer for decades. Coming up in the ’60s, when female instrumentalists were rare in jazz, she has played piano with the likes of Art Blakey, Joe Henderson and Stan Getz. Since the ’80s, she has focused on leading her own bands and her latest group will be at the Kennedy Center on Friday. 7 and 9 p.m. sets. Tickets $34 to $39.

>> Pharoah Sanders first made his name during the free jazz movement of the late 1960s, most notably through his playing on John Coltrane’s later recordings. Since then, his approach to music has become more subdued, but he nonetheless retains the edge of a relentlessly exploratory musician. The 71-year old saxophone legend will be performing at Bohemian Caverns from Friday through Sunday. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $40 in advance/$45 at the door.

>> Mr. Henry’s will host groups featuring saxophonist Lionel Lyles (Friday) and vocalist Karen Gray (Saturday). 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.

>> Smooth jazz star Najee comes to Blues Alley on Friday for a three night stand of 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $55 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra is presenting a new program, Afro-Cuban Jazz: Back in Full Swing, on Friday and Saturday at its new venue at the National Museum of American History. The concert will feature music of pioneering musicians in Latin jazz, including Chano Pozo, Mario Bauza and Machito. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $25-$40.

>> D.C. native and saxophonist Ron Sutton, Jr. spent most of his career in New York, playing extended stints with celebrated drummers Art Taylor and Rashied Ali. He will be at Twins Jazz on Friday and Saturday to lead his own quartet through 9 and 11 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> Area vocalist and DCist fave Akua Allrich performs a free 5 p.m. show on Saturday at the Anacostia Arts Center.

>> Keiko Matsui has long explored more ethereal sounds, creating music that straddles smooth jazz and new age. She will bring her rich soundscapes to The Birchmere on Saturday. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $45.

>> Bassist Derrick Hodge lays down the foundation for the celebrated and groundbreaking Robert Glasper Experiment. Last year, he also served as one of the music directors for Nas’s memorable performance with the National Symphony Orchestra. Hodge will return to the Kennedy Center on Saturday to perform music from a forthcoming album on the storied Blue Note label. 7 and 9 p.m. sets. Tickets $26-$30.

>> Local vocalist Jeff Weintraub performs 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz on Sunday. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> Nathan Parker Smith is an active performer and composer currently residing in Brooklyn. In 2009, he founded the Nathan Parker Smith Large Ensemble, an eighteen-member group regularly performing original music throughout New York. He will be in D.C. on Monday to direct the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra through his compositions in the historic club. 8 to 11 p.m. Tickets $10.

>> Keyboardist Federico Gonzalez Peña has toured with heavyweights ranging from Marcus Miller to Cassandra Wilson. D.C. lost him to St. Louis for the past year, but fortunately we have him back. He will be playing every Tuesday this month at Bohemian Caverns as the historic club’s Artist-in-Residence for October. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $10.

>> Guitarist Sanjay Mishra brings his blend of jazz, classical and ethnic influence to Blues Alley on Tuesday for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $25 plus minimum and surcharge.