Keyboardist Robert Glasper performs at The Birchmere on Thursday as part of Our Point of View, a supergroup of artists from Blue Note Records.
>> The Smithsonian Folklife Festival kicks off today and this year’s themes include Basque culture, the sounds of California, and the impacts of human migration on the arts. Performances and events will take place in and around the National Mall, as well as on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage. See the full schedule for more details.
>> Vocalist Kristine Key plays the Jazz & Cultural Society tonight with her band. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
>> We referred to Be Steadwell as a “revelation” when we saw her last spring at AMP. Now a Strathmore artist-in-residence, Steadwell brings her soulful blend of vocals and electronics to the venue this evening. 7:30 p.m. $17.
>> Rodrigo y Gabriela brought an entirely new approach to the acoustic guitar. Drawing from metal, jazz, and flamenco influences, their performances are energetic, prodigious, and engrossing. The duo will make their Kennedy Center debut tonight. 8 p.m. $29-$59.
>> Saxophonist Bob Schwartz leads his group through 8 and 10 p.m. sets tonight at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Born in Tigzirt-sur-Mer, Algeria, singer-songwriter Kamel Zennia‘s music is rooted in the Kabyle Berber culture. He will bring his rich sound to the Bossa Bistro & Lounge tonight. 9:30 p.m. $5 at the door.
>> Blue Note Records is the most storied and celebrated record label in jazz. It has assembled a super group from its deep roster of talent. The band, dubbed Our Point Of View, plays The Birchmere on Thursday and features trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, keyboardist Robert Glasper, bassist Derrick Hodge, guitarist Lionel Loueke, drummer Kendrick Scott, and tenor saxophonist Marcus Strickland. The repertoire draws from each of these artists’ own work as well new spins on Blue Note classics. 7:30 p.m. $65.
>> The Twins Jazz Orchestra plays 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets at the club on Thursday. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Brazilian vocalist Cissa Paz takes the stage on Thursday at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. 10 p.m. $10 at the door.
>> Vocalist Janine Gilbert-Carter leads her band on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
>> Mr. Henry’s hosts Dial 251 for Jazz (Friday) and vocalist Barbara Papendorp (Saturday). 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
>> Saxophonist Rick Alberico leads his band through 9 and 11 p.m. sets on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> A native of Italy, Roberta Gambarini is a jazz chanteuse in the most classic and timeless sense. She begins a three-night run of 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley on Friday with a stellar band that includes drumming legend Jimmy Cobb. Tickets $25-$30 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Pianist Chris Grasso continues his Sunday spotlight series at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club with vocalist/bassist Nicki Parrott and vibraphonist Chuck Redd. 1 p.m. Tickets $20 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Vocalist Tarea Anderson plays the Jazz & Cultural Society on Sunday with her band. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
>> Saxophonist Nathan Reising plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Sunday at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Domingues & Kane plays music that is a hybrid of centuries-old-classical and electronic sounds. The duo will be at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge on Sunday, playing material from its recent album, Gut + Voltage: Viola da Gamba & Electronics in Synthesis. James Wolf opens. 9 p.m. $10 at the door.
>> Trombonist Shannon Gunn teams up with D.C. stalwarts Allyn Johnson (keys) and Tony Martucci (drums) on Tuesday to interpret Charles Earland’s album, Cookin’ with the Mighty Burner. 8 to 11 p.m. No cover.
>> Alan Baylock is the chief arranger for the Airmen of Note, the U.S. Air Force’s jazz ensemble. He will lead his own big band on Tuesday at Blues Alley. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $20 plus minimum and surcharge.
