Cyrus Chestnut will play a four night run at Blues Alley beginning on Thursday.
>> Bruce Swaim, a veteran area saxophonist, leads a band this evening at Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
>> THREE, with violinists Kanako and Mariko Shimasaki, along with pianist Luke Gillespie, is an ensemble that plays a collage of jazz and classical music. The trio plays the Millennium Stage this evening. 6 p.m. Free.
>> Kitt Lyles is a Chicago-based saxophonist and he will lead his band, the Real Talk Collective, tonight at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Jelly’s Last Jam is a theater piece based on the life and times of legendary pianist Jelly Roll Morton, who in this production is portrayed by area pianist Mark Meadows. The production is currently running at the Signature Theatre through September 11. Tickets $40-$103.
>> Cristian Perez is an acoustic guitarist who plays jazz that is infused with all manner of international influences, most notably those of Latin America. The former Strathmore artist-in-residence will play 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Thursday at Twins Jazz in support of his new album, Anima Mundi. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Cyrus Chestnut is one of the finest pianists of his generation, bringing together impeccable technique with the soul of the blues, jazz, and gospel traditions. The local music community received a huge boost when he accepted a teaching position in Howard University’s storied jazz program. Chestnut will begin a four night run of 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley on Thursday. Tickets $30-$35 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Sin Miedo, the long-running local Latin jazz outfit, will play Jazz in the Garden on Friday. 5 to 8:30 p.m. Free.
>> Vocalist Sendy Brown and bassist Ephraim Wolfolk will co-lead a group of local veterans on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
>> Wynton Marsalis is one of jazz’s great ambassadors and as director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, holds a high profile position in terms of promoting jazz at the institutional level. Marsalis will direct the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra on Friday at Wolf Trap. 8 p.m. Tickets $25-$50.
>> Rhizome will host an evening of experimental music on Friday. The bill will include solo performances from guitarist Ava Mendoza and violinist Jessica Pavone. The cello/guitar duo of Janel & Anthony will round out the bill. 8:30 p.m. $10 suggested donation.
>> Mr. Henry’s will host ensembles under the direction of trombonist Reginald Cyntje (Friday) and vocalist Coniece Washington (Saturday). 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
>> Saxophonist Caroline Davis took New York’s crowded jazz scene by storm when she moved to the Big Apple in 2013. She has played with some of the genre’s most respected players and has drawn heaps of critical praise. Davis will lead a chord-less quartet on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz, and the band will include area mainstay Kris Funn on bass. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Sur Sudha is a group specializing in the Himalayan folk and classical melodies of Nepal. The band is currently touring the U.S. and will make a stop at Theater J on Saturday. Proceeds from the concert will benefit on-going earthquake relief work in Nepal. 7 p.m. Tickets $35.
>> Fred Foss is an elder statesman of the local jazz community, having mentored many of the area’s best musicians. The respected saxophonist will play Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society on Sunday. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
>> The Jegna School of Music presents a trio on Sunday at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
>> Subcontinental Grooves is a first-time collaboration between a group of local South Asian musicians, including Thievery Corporation’s Ashish Vyas on bass, saxophonist Tissa Khosla, and MC Navid Azeez. The group will play an all-improvised set on Sunday at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. 8:30 p.m. No cover.
>> The worlds of tap dance and jazz are very much entwined, and there is no doubt that tap pioneer Savion Glover will draw from this rich history on Monday during his performance at The Howard Theatre. 8 p.m. Tickets $35-$75.
>> Bassist Ameen Saleem is probably best known for his work with trumpeter Roy Hargrove. Saleem is also a D.C. native and will bring his own band, The Groove Lab, into town for 8 and 10 p.m. sets on Monday at Blues Alley. Tickets $22.50 plus minimum and surcharge.
