Pioneering clarinetist Don Byron (left) will join Baltimore’s Todd Marcus for a performance on Thursday at the Mansion at Strathmore.
>> John Lamkin, trumpeter and director of the music department at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, will lead a band this evening at the Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
>> Tenor saxman Harry Allen plays with a cast of fellow sax players, including Eric Alexander, Grant Stewart, and Gary Smulyan tonight at Blues Alley. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $25 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Veronneau, the 2013 WAMMY winners for Best Jazz Group, moves effortlessly from samba to gypsy jazz. The group is built around the vocalist Lynn Veronneau, whose dexterity allows her to sound authentic in a number of styles. Veronneau will play 8 and 10 p.m. sets tonight at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 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 tonight at The Wonderland Ballroom. 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. No cover.
>> Herman Burney is a first-call bassist who’s been one of the local scene’s mainstay for years. He has assembled a cast of local heavyweights, including Allyn Johnson (p), CV Dashiell III (dr), Reginald Cyntje (tb), Tom Williams (tr), and Paul Carr (sax), to pay tribute to Miles Davis on Thursday at the Smithsonian American Art Museum‘s Kogod Courtyard. 5 to 7 p.m. Free.
>> Todd Marcus is a Baltimore-based bass clarinetist whose sound is steeped in tradition, but wholly contemporary and often draws from his Egyptian heritage. He will play the Mansion at Strathmore on Thursday with fellow clarinetist Don Byron as a special guest. The collaboration is fitting, as Byron changed the relationship between jazz and the clarinet in the same way that Marcus is attempting to do for his instrument. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $30.
>> JoJo’s on U Street is becoming a go-to spot for jazz these days. In addition to saxophonist Tedd Baker and trumpeter Joe Brotherton having residencies on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, Marshall Keys will now take over Thursday nights. His run begins on Thursday with a trio that includes keyboardist Federico Gonzalez Peña and drummer Mark Prince. 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. No cover.
>> The Sultans of String is a Toronto based global fusion ensemble that draws from Celtic, flamenco, gypsy-jazz, Arabic, and South Asian influences. The band will be at AMP on Thursday. 8 p.m. Tickets $22-$32.
>> Kino Musica blends sounds from across the African diaspora to take its audience on a journey that is both soulful and entertaining. The band will be at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge on Thursday. 9:30 p.m. $8 at the door.
>> Crossover guitarist John Pizzarelli comes to Blues Alley on Thursday to begin a four night run of 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $40-$45 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Warren Wolf is a world-class vibraphonist who can more than hold his own on drumset and piano as well. He will focus on the vibes on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest, where he will lead some of the DMV’s finest, including vocalist Irene Jalenti, pianist Mark Meadows, and bassist Kris Funn. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
>> Vocalist and bandleader Eric Felten leads his septet through an evening of classic standards on Friday at AMP. 8 p.m. Tickets $30-$40.
>> Veteran area singer Steve Washington will perform the next two Fridays at Old Engine 12. 8 to 11 p.m. No cover. Dinner service begins at 7.
>> Trombonist Shannon Gunn leads her Firebird Quintet on Friday at Roofers Union. Kenny Rittenhouse, the fantastic trumpeter of the Army Blues, will be a featured guest. 10 p.m. No cover.
>> Mr. Henry’s hosts saxophonist Herb Scott (Friday) and vocalist Di Daly (Saturday). 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
>> Tim Whalen has emerged as one of the D.C. area’s most distinctive pianists. Equally respected for his composing and arranging as he is for his improvising, Whalen’s septet is sure to create some intriguing sounds on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Slash Run is hosting a fundraiser on Saturday that will benefit the Petworth Jazz Project. From 5:30 p.m. to midnight, there will be live local jazz and 15% of sales will be donated to the free community performance series.
>> Elijah Cole is just 18-years old, but the young guitarist’s future is bright. He will be hosting a house show on Saturday that will include and all Beatles setlist. $8 at the door.
>> The Jazz & Cultural Society hosts vocalist Warren Fisher on Sunday. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
>> The duo of pianist Jarrett Cherner and vocalist Sarah Elizabeth Charles performs 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Sunday at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Grammy-winning vocalist Diane Schuur will play The Birchmere on Sunday. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $35.
>> Saxophonist Lionel Lyles and his band will hold court at Columbia Station on Tuesday. 8 to 11 p.m. No cover.
