Sharón Clark plays Blues Alley on Tuesday night to celebrate the release of a new album.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31
Veteran bassist Kent Miller leads a band at Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Area trumpeter Joe Brotherton continues his weekly residency at Jojo’s. 8 p.m. to midnight. No cover.
Saxophonist and smooth jazz star Boney James plays Wolf Trap. 8 p.m. Tickets $25-$60.
Marty Nau has been a familiar face on the local scene since the 1980s. The alto saxophonist and former Navy Commodores member will lead a group at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. 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.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
Saxophonist Marshall Keys continues his weekly residency at Jojo’s. 8 to 11 p.m. No cover.
Thursday marks the opening night of Satchmo at The Waldorf, a play set at New York’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel in 1971, when the great Louis Armstrong was finishing a run there. The play deals with how Armstrong’s career reflected, and in some cases was in tension with, the social change of the time. Satchmo at The Waldorf runs at the Atlas from September 1 to September 22.
Guitarist Chris Thomas King is best known for the Robert Johnson-esque character he portrayed in the hit Coen Brother’s film, O Brother, Where Art Thou? While that role recreated a certain place and time, he has devoted his career to bringing the blues into the 21st century. King will bring his contemporary sound to Blues Alley on Thursday for a four-night stand of 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $25-$30 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. 9:30 p.m. $10 at the door.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
The 2016 season of Jazz in the Garden concludes with a performance from the Fred Hughes Trio. 5 to 8:30 p.m. Free.
Michael Bowie has long been one of the city’s first-call bassists, and his resume includes a host of world class artists including Betty Carter and Dee Dee Bridgewater. While Bowie’s music moves in many directions, straight-ahead jazz will be the call of the day as he leads a fine quintet at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
The morin-khuur, also known as the horsehead fiddle, is a Mongolian instrument whose strings are made with horsehair. Khatanbold Urlagbataar will demonstrate the range of the morin-khuur on the Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. Free.
Percussionist Ben Bennett will serve as the artist-in-residence at Rhizome from September 1-10, with several performances over that period. He will perform with local musicians Luke Stewart (bass) and Jamal Moore (sax) at the art space. 8 p.m. $10 suggested donation.
Vocalist Steve Washington plays Mr. Henry’s. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
John Lamkin III is one of the area’s best drummers, having played with greats like Abbey Lincoln, Lionel Hampton, and Pharoah Sanders. He doesn’t lead his own band often, but will do just that on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. The ensemble will include guitarist Paul Piper and pianist Andrew Adair. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
Virtuoso bassist Richard Bona brings his new group, Mandekan Cubano, to The Howard Theatre on Tuesday.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
As has been the case for over 25 years, if it’s the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, that means that the Carter Barron Amphitheater in Rock Creek Park will host the D.C. Blues Festival. This year’s event, featuring headliner Slam Allen, takes place from noon to 7:30 p.m. Family activities and workshops will also be on hand for those looking to take a stroll between sets.
Singer Denyse Pearson plays Mr. Henry’s. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
Trumpeter Al Strong leads a band at Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Pianist Joe Vetter brings his band to Twins Jazz for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
Rajab Suleiman and Kithara specialized in the Zanzibar-based tarrab music, characterized by its mix of Arabic and western instruments and almost operatic vocals. The ensemble plays a free 6 p.m. show on the Millennium Stage.
Saxophonist Tedd Baker continues his weekly residency at Jojo’s. 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. No cover.
Richard Bona has become one of the music world’s most sought-after collaborators. A virtuoso bassist and vocalist, he is comfortable in any style, from the music of his native Cameroon to working with jazz guitarist Mike Stern or John Legend’s R&B sounds. His latest album, Heritage, explores Afro-Cuban traditions and his band, Mandekan Cubano, comes to The Howard Theatre. 8 p.m. Tickets $25-$45 plus minimum.
Sharón Clark is a jazz singer’s jazz singer, making her one of the DMV’s best vocalists. She has assembled a stellar group of local musicians to help celebrate the release of her new album at Blues Alley. The band includes Paul Carr (sax), Chris Grasso (piano), Zack Pride (bass), and Lenny Robinson (drums). 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $25 plus minimum and surcharge.
