The Ches Smith Trio performs at Bohemian Caverns on Sunday.
>> Saxophonist Vaughn Ambrose leads his band tonight at the Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
>> Saxophonist Bob Schwartz leads his group through 8 and 10 p.m. sets tonight at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Blues guitarist Tinsley Ellis plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets tonight at Blues Alley. Tickets $25 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Keyboardist Will Rast is best known for his work leading The Funk Ark, the infectious local afrobeat band, which in turn led to his touring with Antibalas. He will return to his small group roots tonight at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge with his new group, Cosmic Travelers. 9:30 p.m. No cover.
>> The Potter’s House is launching a monthly jazz series with performances taking place from 7 to 9 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of every month. Pianist Mark Meadows and his group, Something More, kick off the series this week.
>> Antone “Chooky” Caldwell has played bass for the likes of Mariah Carey, Macy Gray, and Snoop Lion. He will lead his own contemporary jazz ensemble on Thursday at AMP. 8 p.m. Tickets $25-$35.
>> Mallet percussionist Roy Ayers is one of the most sampled artists of all time. The soul jazz legend will hold court at Blues Alley from Thursday through Sunday. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $43-$48 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> The Harry Bells is a group that local 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 a 9 p.m. set on Thursday at Boundary Stone. No cover.
>> Songbyrd is launching The Preparation on Thursday. This monthly series will feature cutting edge and experimental music, and the opening night will serve as an album release for Trio OOO with Baltimore’s Organix Trio opening. 9 p.m. $10 at the door.
>> Brazilian vocalist Cissa Paz takes the stage on Thursday at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. 10 p.m. $10 at the door.
>> Janis Siegel, nine-time Grammy winner and founding member of The Manhattan Transfer, leads her other project, Requinte Trio on Friday at AMP. 8 p.m. Tickets $35-$45.
>> The INTERSECTIONS Festival is a wonderful annual event that takes place at the Atlas. The multi-disciplinary showcase, which occurs over the next three weekends, offers movement, stories, and music that showcase the city’s cultural diversity. Among the performances this weekend are West African sounds from Amadou Kouyate, a blend of Indian and western influences from Conflux, and the fusion of jazz with Irish music from saxophonist John Kocur. Visit the festival web site for ticket and schedule information.
>> Lena Seikaly is one of the area’s best vocalists and she’ll lead an excellent group of local artists, including pianist Chris Grasso, on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
>> 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 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Friday at Bohemian Caverns. Tickets $18 in advance/$23 at the door.
>> Mr. Henry’s hosts vocalists Aaron Myers (Friday) and Coneice Washington (Saturday). 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
>> Bassist Cheney Thomas leads his ensemble through 9 and 11 p.m. sets on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Akua Allrich, one of DCist’s favorite area vocalists, will be at Bohemian Caverns on Saturday along with The Tribe. The band includes bassist Zack Pride, Carroll Dashiell III on drums, and pianist Mark Meadows. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $20 in advance/$25 at the door.
>> The Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club is celebrating its 3rd anniversary on Sunday with a special performance from the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Area vocalist Sharon Clark will be the featured guest soloist during the 12:30 and 5 p.m. sets. Tickets $35 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Saxophonist Herb Scott leads his band on Sunday at the Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
>> Drummer Ches Smith is among the most sought after collaborators in New York’s underground jazz scene. He recently released The Bell, his debut on ECM Records, the celebrated European jazz label. He will be at Bohemian Caverns on Sunday with the group featured on the album, which includes pianist Craig Taborn and violist Matt Maneri. 7 and 8:30 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
>> Versatile area saxophonist Bobby Muncy leads one of his several bands at Twins Jazz on Sunday. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Herb Alpert has had one of the most impactful careers on the history of music. The 80-year old trumpeter founded the Tijuana Brass in the ’60s when “world music” was just beginning to establish itself as a genre. He went on to co-found A&M Records, whose roster included everyone from The Carpenters to The Police. Alpert has returned to playing, and will be at the Barns of Wolf Trap on Monday and Tuesday with his wife, vocalist Lani Hall. 8 p.m. Tickets $55-$65.
>> Gene Bertoncini is considered a master on both acoustic and electric guitar. Catch the respected musician on Tuesday for 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $25 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> After civil war forced them from their native country, the members of Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars came together in Guinea. Coming from humble beginnings in West African refugee camps, they’ve since toured worldwide performing on some of the world’s most prestigious stages. The band will be at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge on Tuesday. 9:30 p.m. $10 at the door.
