Vocalist Gregory Porter plays The Howard Theatre on Monday.
>> Grant Langford currently serves as saxophonist for the Airmen of Note, the premiere big band of the U.S. Air Force. He will lead a band this evening at the Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
>> Trumpeter Leo Maxey plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets tonight at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> The Creative Music series at Union Arts continues tonight with a triple bill that includes guitarists Daniel Wyche and Dura. 8 p.m. $7 at the door.
>> Smooth jazz saxophonist Geno Marriott plays the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club tonight. 8 p.m. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Azar Lawrence, like many saxophonists, is unabashed in putting John Coltrane’s influence on full display. In fact, Lawrence was often the saxophonist of choice for McCoy Tyner, ‘Trane’s longtime pianist. Lawrence will be at Blues Alley tonight with a fiery band that includes former D.C. resident, Benito Gonzalez, on piano, as well Marvin “Smitty” Smith, the former drummer on Jay Leno’s The Tonight Show. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $25 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Twins Jazz hosts the Cold Spring Jazz Quartet on Thursday. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Jane Monheit is a singer whose classic and timeless style has made her one of the most celebrated jazz vocalists of her generation. She will be at Blues Alley on Thursday to begin a four night run during which she will pay tribute to Ella Fitzgerald. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $40-$45 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> The Feedel Band combines jazz, funk, and traditional Ethiopian music to create a truly groovy sound. They play the Bossa Bistro & Lounge on Thursday. 9:30 p.m. $10 at the door.
>> The Carate Urio Orchestra, from Belgium, brings together seven improvisers that weave together post-rock, noise, lo- fi, psychedelia, and ambient sounds. The septet will be upstairs at Bossa on Friday. 8 p.m. $5-$10 suggested donation.
>> The Washington Jewish Music Festival kicks off on Friday. Notable shows include performances by Yemen Blues and the Hadar Noiberg Trio. Visit the festival website for full schedule and ticket information.
>> Deanna Bogart plays Jazz in the Garden. 5:30 to 8 p.m. Free.
>> Jazz Night in Southwest has assembled a band of local all-stars to preview area musicians who will be featured at the upcoming DC Jazz Festival. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
>> Ronnie Laws began his career with Earth Wind & Fire when it was still a fledgling group. In the 70s, he helped pioneer a blend of R&B, funk, and jazz that eventually became the bedrock of smooth jazz. Laws will be at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club on Friday. 8 p.m. Tickets $45-$55 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Henry Butler is Crescent City legend, bringing together all the rich cultural traditions that make up New Orleans’ musical gumbo. He’ll be at AMP on Friday for an 8 p.m. show. Tickets $30-$40.
>> The Brass-A-Holics is among the most entertaining of a new generation of New Orleans brass bands that are incorporating contemporary funk and hip-hop into a rich musical legacy. The band will be at The Hamilton on Friday with The Trongone Band opening. 8:30 p.m. Tickets $19.50-$25.
>> Mr. Henry’s hosts Dial 251 for Jazz (Friday) and vocalist Tacha Coleman Parr (Saturday). 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
>> Dr. John R. Lamkin II directs the music program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. He will be on town on Friday and Saturday to lead a quintet at Twins Jazz. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Shaolin Jazz is a collective that formed to explore the intersections between jazz and hip-hop. Gerald Watson, the head of the group, was awarded a grant to visit Ethiopia and his latest project will incorporate some of the musical influences he absorbed while there. Shaolin Jazz will perform at Tropicalia this Saturday. 9 p.m. Tickets $15 in advance/$20 at the door.
>> Integriti Reeves is one of the area’s best young jazz vocalists. She will lead a group on Sunday at the Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
>> Pianist Joe Vetter plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Sunday at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Few jazz singers have garnered as much critical acclaim in recent years as has Gregory Porter. A crossover artist in the best sense of the term, he will perform material from his latest album, Take Me to the Alley, on Monday at The Howard Theatre. 8 p.m. Tickets $42.50-$95.
>> Though rooted in jazz, area vocalist Loide‘s music draws from a variety of traditions, most notably her own Mozambican and Guinea-Bissauan heritage. She will lead a band through 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Monday at Blues Alley. Tickets $20 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Trombonist Shannon Gunn returns to Columbia Station on Tuesday for her weekly residency. Her trio will perform organist Jimmy Smith’s album, Prayer Meetin’, in its entirety. 8 to 11 p.m. No cover.
