Brazilian percussionists leads his Banquet of Spirits on Friday at the Atlas. Photo by Eleonora Alberto.>> 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. 10 p.m. Tickets $5 at the door.
>> Hugh Masekela is a giant of South African music, being politically outspoken during the apartheid era and a world-renowned trumpeter. He encountered legendary jazz pianist Larry Willis more than 50 years ago, and they continue their on-again-off-again partnership on Thursday at AMP. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets. Tickets $35-$50.
>> Dial 251, a local jazz sextet, takes to the Twins Jazz stage on Thursday for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Smooth jazz guitarist/vocalist Jonathan Butler comes to Blues Alley on Thursday to start a four night run of 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $50-$55 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> John Kocur is an award winning composer, educator and saxophonist who plays in a variety of settings around town. He will be leading his band through on Thursday at Dukem Jazz. 9 p.m. to midnight. No cover.
>> The Anderson Brothers, comprised of saxophonist Frankie and drummer Tony, co-lead a band on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5.
>> Dorado Schmitt is arguably the world’s foremost torchbearer of the Gypsy Jazz tradition that started with the great Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club of Paris. He will lead a group of international musicians who have also mastered this language on Friday at the Kennedy Center. 7 and 9 p.m. sets. Tickets $30.
>> Cyro Baptista is one of the most dynamic percussionists to come out of Brazil’s rich musical landscape. He brings his Banquet of Spirits, one of his many ensembles, to Atlas Arts on Friday for an 8 p.m. performance. The band plays sophisticated and experimental music while also drawing on the tribal and theatrical aspects of Brazilian culture. Tickets $20-$28.
>> Tedd Baker is most often seen playing saxophone with the Airmen of Note, the premiere jazz ensemble of the U.S. Air Force. He is also a sought-after sideman who has performed with the likes of George Duke and David Sanborn. He will lead his own band of local A-listers on Friday and Saturday at Bohemian Caverns. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $18 in advance/$23 at the door.
>> Mr. Henry‘s hosts trumpeter Kevin Cordt (Friday) and the Brazilian sounds of Batida Diferente on Saturday. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
>> Trumpeter Kenny Rittenhouse is seen most often playing with the U.S. Army Blues, the Army’s premiere jazz ensemble. He also leads his own band, recalling the classic hard bop of the ’50s and ’60s. His band will play 9 and 11 p.m. sets on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Three of today’s rising jazz artists—Lynne Arriale, Carla Cook, and Grace Kelly—take the Kennedy Center stage on Saturday to honor the legacy of three women who have served as their musical inspiration: Abbey Lincoln, Nina Simone, and Joni Mitchell. 7 and 9 p.m. sets. Tickets $39.
>> Chucho Valdés is among the top handful of most influential Afro-Cuban jazz musicians of the past half century. He rose to prominence in the ’70s with his groundbreaking ensemble, Irakere. Valdés will celebrate that band’s legacy on Sunday at the Music Center at Strathmore, where the legendary pianist will re-visit Irakere’s classic material with a group of young musicians. 7 p.m. Tickets $28-$58.
>> Kenny Wesley‘s music combines elements of funk, classical, folk, and jazz with a deeply soulful voice and strong piano chops. He will perform at Bohemian Caverns on Sunday. 7 and 9 p.m. sets. Tickets $18 in advance/$23 at the door.
>> Louisiana blues man Tab Benoit comes to the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club on Sunday. Not only is Benoit a highly respected guitarist, but he is also a noted environmentalist who has made the preservation of Gulf Coast wetlands into a personal mission. 8 p.m. Tickets $30 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> The Jazz & Cultural Society recently acquired a grand piano that will require regular upkeep. Chris Grasso, Lyle Link, and other top-notch local talent have generously donated their services for a special maintenance fundraiser at JACS. The performance takes place on Tuesday, 6 to 9 p.m. $10 suggested donation. This is an important event for this neighborhood space.
>> Youssou N’Dour is the most internationally-renowned musician to come out of Senegal. Taking that country’s mbalax style of music and mixing it with funk and reggae, he has created a truly global sound. N’Dour and his band will be at the Lisner Auditorium on Tuesday for an 8 p.m. show. Tickets $35-$75 with student discounts available.
>> Madeleine Peyroux‘s earthy and understated vocal style is a vehicle for interpreting a wide range of material, from traditional blues to torch song to the Great American Songbook. She will likely display all of these influences during her Tuesday evening performance at the Barns of Wolf Trap. 8 p.m. Tickets $42-$45.
