Rudresh Mahanthappa will lead a quintet this weekend at Blues Alley.

>> The Mansion at Strathmore continues its Uncommon pAIRings series this evening, in which it presents unexpected combinations of artists from Strathmore’s celebrated Artist-in-Residence program. Tonight’s show features area saxophonist John Kocur along with Virginia natives Herb & Hanson for a performance that combines jazz, blues, country and bluegrass. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $17.

>> Pianist Lenny Marcus comes to Blues Alley tonight to pay tribute to his first piano teacher and longtime friend, Ray Bryant. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $20 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> Phare is a Cambodian circus that is currently touring the U.S. Tonight at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge, Vanthan Ly, a multi-instrumentalist, and vocalist Phunam Pinwill perform their high-energy music that accompanies the circus. 8-10 p.m. Tickets $10.

>> Saxophonist Bob Schwartz leads his group through 8 and 10 p.m. sets tonight at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> Saxophonist Jonathan Parker‘s octet returns to The Wonderland Ballroom tonight for an evening of music by Parker himself, along with compositions by Clifford Jordan, George Shearing, The Yellowjackets, and more. 9 p.m. to midnight. $5 suggested donation.

>> Veteran area saxophonist Marty Nau brings a group to Twins Jazz on Thursday. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> Iva Bittová is a solo performer, but the dynamic Czech composer and improviser extends the range of both the human voice and her violin. Singing, bowing, plucking, and dancing simultaneously, she evokes everything from gypsy dances, grand opera, and avant-garde jazz to birdsong and forest animal cries.She will be at the Atlas on Thursday for an 8 p.m. show. Tickets $20-$28.

>> Imani Winds is one of the most successful and prolific chamber ensembles in the United States. The are visiting artists at The Clarice and will perform on Thursday with a program that includes jazz-inspired pieces. 8 p.m. Tickets $10-$25.

>> Founded by Greek-born singer, film scorer, and composer Magda Giannikou, Banda Magda moves from samba to French chanson, from Greek folk tunes to Colombian cumbia and Afro-Peruvian lando. The band will perform on Thursday at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. 9 p.m. Tickets $10.

>> Anyone claiming to be a fan of the local jazz scene can’t hold that status without having seen Sine Qua Non, a group of local all-stars under the direction of bassist Michael Bowie. The band will play Dukem Jazz on Thursday. 9 p.m. No cover.

>> Mallet percussionist Roy Ayers is one of the most sampled artists of all time. The soul jazz legend will hold court at Blues Alley on Thursday and Friday. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $45-$50 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> Jazz Night in Southwest honors the jazz masters of yore by hosting a group of DMV veterans on Friday. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5.

>> Tito Puente Jr. and his Latin jazz orchestra will stop by the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club on Friday to lay down the infectious rhythms made famous by his legendary father. 8 p.m. Tickets $30-$35.

>> Saxophonist Donald Harrison grew up in New Orleans and was steeped in its rich musical heritage. His music draws from traditional Crescent City traditions, with an emphasis on what he termed “Afro-New Orleans” culture and the rhythms of New Orleans’ Black Mardi Gras Indians. The Big Chief of Congo Square will be at Bohemian Caverns this Friday and Saturday for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $25.

>> Mr. Henry’s hosts vocalists Aaron Myers (Friday) and Lena Seikaly (Saturday). If you’ll recall, Myers gave metro riders some sage, yet incredibly catchy, advice earlier this year. DCist is also past due in offering its congratulations to Ms. Seikaly, as she is one of three area vocalists (along with Christie Dashiell and Danielle Wertz) to be named a semi-finalist to the prestigious Monk Competition. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.

>> When we first profiled The Flail, way back in 2008, we wrote of how rare it was to have actual jazz bands in today’s world. Nearly 7 years later, the group is still going strong, making it even more of a rarity. The Flail returns to D.C. on Friday and Saturday for performances at Twins Jazz. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> Revive Music has assembled a stellar band under the musical direction of The Roots’ pianist Ray Angry to re-imagine the classic Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown LP in a contemporary setting. The ensemble will play 8 and 10 p.m. sets at the Kennedy Center on Saturday. Stay tuned for a full preview of the show. Tickets $30.

>> The U.S. Air Force’s premiere jazz ensemble, the Airmen of Note, are performing a fall concert series at The Clarice. Friday’s performance will feature trumpeter Marvin Stamm and pianist Bill Mays. 8 p.m. Free.

>> District-based rapper Christylez launched his Washington Sound Museum series several years ago to blend his hip-hop influences with the area’s fertile international music scene. He is staging a “Best of” concert this weekend at the Atlas that brings together Indian, Irish and Brazilian musicians. 8 p.m. on Saturday, 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets $25.

>> Rudresh Mahanthappa is among the most celebrated saxophonists to arise in the new millennium. Many of his past projects have been a hybrid of progressive jazz and South Indian classical styles. His latest album, Bird Calls, is a modern jazz tribute to the great Charlie Parker. The material is not a bunch of Parker covers, but rather an attempt to reflect the spirit of the man. Mahanthappa will draw heavily from this recording as he leads his quintet on Saturday and Sunday at Blues Alley. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $25-$30 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> Baltimore-based saxophonist Dan Wallace leads a trio on Sunday at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> Blue Monday Blues hosts The Moonshine Society. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5.

>> Vocalist Christiana Drapkin and guitarist Mike Gellar co-lead a band on Monday at Blues Alley. The program will celebrate the classic jazz repertoire. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $20 plus minimum and surcharge.

>> 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 conclude his month-long run of Tuesdays at Bohemian Caverns as the historic club’s Artist-in-Residence for October. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $10.