Samuel Prather leads his Groove Orchestra on Friday and Saturday at the Jazz & Cultural Society to celebrate the release of his new holiday album.
>> The Jazz & Cultural Society hosts guitarist Tom Newman tonight. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
>> Legendary operatic soprano Renée Fleming will be at the Kennedy Center tonight, performing selections by jazz pianist/composer Patricia Barber. Fleming and Barber performing an assortment of holiday favorites. 7 and 9 p.m. sets. Tickets $75-$85.
>> The jazz program at the University of Maryland has been the training ground for many of the area’s top musicians. Brendan Schnabel is a saxophonist who is currently pursuing a graduate degree at UMD and he will be leading a band tonight at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Vocalist Jackson Caesar performs an evening of holiday music tonight at Blues Alley. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $20 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Amadou Kouyate performs on the 21-string kora, an instrument native to West Africa. He will perform tonight at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge with a repertoire that includes traditional African songs dating back to the 13th century as well as more contemporary sounds. 9:30 p.m. No cover.
>> The Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) was founded 50 years ago in Chicago at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, acting as an incubator for cutting edge African American artists. Two of the leading young voices from Chicago’s AACM, Tomeka Reid (cello) and Mike Reed (drums), join rising local musicians, Jamal Moore (reeds/percussion) and Luke Stewart (bass/percussion), on Thursday in the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Kogod Courtyard. 5 p.m. Free.
The trio will perform another free show on Sunday at the Logan Fringe Arts Space with an opening duo of vocalist Akua Allrich and bassist Kris Funn. 7 p.m.
>> Tosin, a locally based Nigerian drummer and composer, will lead his Afro-Groove Revival on Thursday at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. The band draws from afrobeat, jazz, and other international influences. 8 p.m. $10 at the door.
>> Pianist/vocalist Freddy Cole lived for many years under the shadow of his legendary brother, Nat King Cole. In his later years, however, the broader public has become aware of his talents and his career has seen a major resurgence over the past decade or so. Cole will begin a four night run of 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Thursday at Blues Alley, marking his annual holiday residency at the club. Tickets $27.50 to $32.50 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Qais Essar plays the rabab, a traditional Afghan stringed instrument. Blending ancient and modern sounds, his music tells his life story of living as an Afghan refugee in America. Essar plays the Millennium Stage on Friday. 6 p.m. Free.
>> Jazz Night in Southwest hosts a big band under the direction of drummer Phil Butts. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
>> Saxophonist Stan Killian has a muscular sound that has led to his working with many of the up-and-coming musicians in New York’s crowded jazz scene. He’ll be in town on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. Among the players joining him will be pianist Benito Gonzalez and bassist Corcoran Holt, both with strong local ties. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Sam Prather is a talented multi-instrumentalist who is comfortable in just about any genre. His band, the Groove Orchestra, is comprised of some of the best talent this area has to offer. Prather & Co. will hold court on Friday and Saturday at the Jazz & Cultural Society on Friday and Saturday to celebrate the release of A Groove Orchestra Christmas. 7 and 8:45 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 in advance (through Prather’s website), $20 at the door.
>> Sax Appeal brings together a powerhouse line-up led by Javon Jackson, who is joined by fellow saxophonists Jimmy Heath, Bobby Watson, and Donald Harrison. This all-star group will perform 7 and 9 p.m. sets on Friday and Saturday at the Kennedy Center. Tickets $35-$45.
> Saxophonist Kenneth Whalum, III is a rising star whose debut album, To Those Who Believe, features a who’s who of New York’s Nu Jazz scene. He has also played sessions for the likes of Jay-Z, Beyonce, and Mary J. Blige. Whalum will be at Bohemian Caverns on Friday and Saturday, leading a group through 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $22 in advance, $28 at the door.
>> Aaron Myers gave Metro riders sage advice earlier this year in the catchiest of ways. He has released a new holiday album, Snowing in Vegas, and will likely play selections from it on Friday at Mr. Henry’s. Vocalist Barbara Papendorp plays the venue on Saturday. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
>> Vocalist Indigo Love pays tribute to Sarah Vaughan with an afternoon performance at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. 1:30 p.m. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> George V. Johnson has long been a familiar face in local clubs. The singer will celebrate his 65th birthday on Sunday with an afternoon set at Bohemian Caverns. 3 p.m. Tickets $20.
>> Vocalist Rob Zappulla will also pay tribute to Ol’ Blue Eyes on Sunday at The Carlyle Club, performing Sinatra’s arrangements of holiday classics. 7 p.m. Tickets $28 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> The Washington City Paper named Noble Jolley, Jr. the area’s best pianist in 2013. Jolley will lead a group of D.C.’s best young players as well as a string section on Sunday at Bohemian Caverns, interpreting holiday favorites. Vocalist Christie Dashiell will be a featured performer. 8 p.m. Tickets $18 in advance, $23 at the door.
>> Up-and-coming bassist Nicole Saphos leads her band on Sunday at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Jazz Is Phish is an instrumental tribute to Phish inspired by the popular tribute to The Grateful Dead, Jazz is Dead. Jazz is Phish features members of The Giant Country Horns (Phish), Snarky Puppy, Victor Wooten Band, Sun Ra Arkestra, Strange Design, and more. The band plays The Howard Theatre on Sunday. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door.
>> Innov Gnawa is a traditional Moroccan gnawa band based in New York City. The group will come to the District on Sunday to play the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. 9:30 p.m. $10 at the door. The band will also play a free 6 p.m. show on the Millennium Stage.
>> Blue Monday Blues hosts vocalist Shirleta Settles and her band. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
>> The Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra will perform its annual holiday program on Monday at its historic home venue. Duke Ellington’s take on The Nutcracker is often the centerpiece to this night, and it generally sells out, so get your tickets ahead of time. 8 to 11 p.m. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door.
>> Trumpeter Dave Detweiler spent 26 years as a member of the U.S. Army Blues. Now retired, he continues a strong teaching practice and still performs regularly. On Monday, he’ll play a holiday show at Blues Alley. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $20 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Saxophonist Marshall Keys has long been a mainstay of the local jazz community. He will play a selection of seasonal classics on Tuesday at Blues Alley. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $20 plus minimum and surcharge.
