Stephan Crump leads his band, Rhombal, on Sunday at the Atlas (photo via Bandcamp).
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15
Mala Waldron is a soulful pianist and leads a trio with locals Herman Burney and Nasar Abadey on the Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. Free.
Nicholas Payton is among the most respected trumpeters of his generation and very much embodies the jazz tradition of his native New Orleans. Payton and his band come to Blues Alley tonight and tomorrow to celebrate the release of their latest album, Afro-Caribbean Mixtape. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $25-$30 plus minimum and surcharge.
Veteran area saxophonist Marty Nau leads his group through 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
Bossa hosts a cross-cultural collaboration featuring the West African griot sounds of Amadou Kouyate and the guitar/mandolin work of Nathaniel Braddock. 9:30 p.m. $10 at the door.
THURSDAY, MARCH 16
Brad Mehldau is among the most respected jazz pianists of his generation. For tonight’s solo performance at Sixth & I Synagogue, he’ll draw inspiration from J.S. Bach, juxtaposing his own new composition, Three Pieces After Bach, with several canonical pieces from Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier, and a selection of original jazz compositions. 8 p.m. Tickets $47.
The Twins Jazz Orchestra plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets at the U Street venue. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
Mosché Band brings its jazz-funk groove to the Bossa Bistro & Lounge for a 9:30 p.m. set. $5 at the door.
FRIDAY, MARCH 17
Saxophonist Arnold Sterling was a giant in Baltimore’s jazz scene before he passed in 2015. A group of his favorite collaborators pay tribute at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
The Quartet plays Mr. Henry’s. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
Smooth jazz guitarist Peter White begins a 3-night run of 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. Tickets $40-$45 plus minimum and surcharge.
Excellent area trumpeter Michael Thomas leads his quintet on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. Tickets $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
Big Sam’s Funky Nation headlines the Millennium Stage’s 20th anniversary celebration on Sunday (photo via Facebook).
SATURDAY, MARCH 18
Julia Nixon was one of the principals in the celebrated Broadway production of Dreamgirls. Her music straddles the line between jazz and R&B, and the WAMMIE and Helen Hayes award winner will perform an intimate show at Mr. Henry’s. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $14 to $19 with a $15 food and beverage minimum.
Jazz patriarch Ellis Marsalis was one of Loston Harris‘s chief mentors, and Harris has forged an impressive career for himself. He performs solo at AMP, and will play selections from the Great American Songbook. 8 p.m. Tickets $35-$45.
Halley Shoenberg‘s Hot Swingtet provides the music for an evening of swing dancing at Glen Echo’s Spanish Ballroom. 8 p.m. Tickets $18 or $14 with student ID.
Vocalist Shacara Rogers plays The Alex from 8 to 11 p.m. $20 minimum, reservations recommended.
Lenny Robinson has long been one of the area’s first call drummers. He leads a band at Jojo’s, featuring the stellar vocalist, Alison Crockett. 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. No cover.
SUNDAY, MARCH 19
The Millennium Stage is one of D.C.’s great cultural resources. Part of Kennedy Center’s Performing Arts for Everyone initiative, the venue offers a free performance every evening at 6 p.m., 365 days per year. The Millennium Stage celebrates its 20th anniversary on Sunday with a 5 p.m. happy hour followed by performances from the Celtic rock band, Scythian and the New Orleans funk band, Big Sam’s Funky Nation. Free.
Veteran local drummer Howard “Kingfish” Franklin brings a quartet to Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Stephan Crump is one of New York’s star bassists and rose to prominence as a long standing member of Vijay Iyer’s trio. He leads his own band, Rhombal, which recently put out its critically acclaimed debut recording. Crump’s collaborators include Ellery Eskelin on tenor saxophone, the rising young trumpeter, Adam O’Farrill, and longtime collaborator TyShawn Sorey on drums. The band plays 7 and 8:30 p.m. sets at the Atlas. Tickets $20-$22.
Saxophonist Rick Alberico plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz. Tickets $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
World jazz outfit, The Fourth Stream, plays the Bossa Bistro & Lounge. 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. No cover. (Author’s note: This is my project).
MONDAY, MARCH 20
Harmonica player Lou Jerome brings a band to Blue Monday Blues. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Chris Botti started his career as a trumpeter playing traditional jazz and experimental music. After a stint in Sting’s band, he’s become a successful crossover artist with one foot in the jazz world and the other in pop. He plays The Birchmere on Monday and Tuesday, an unusually intimate space for him. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $105.
Guitarist/vocalist Vinicius Cantuaria plays the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim on Monday at Blues Alley. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $25 plus minimum and surcharge.
TUESDAY, MARCH 21
Rhizome presents an evening of experimental music with a triple bill that features Sahba Sizdahkhani, Barbiero-Byrd-Ghaphery, and Jim Strong. 8 p.m. $10 suggested donation.
Dayna Stephens is one of the most talked about young saxophonists in New York’s cutthroat jazz scene. He brings an outstanding quintet of heavyweights to Blues Alley for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $25 plus minimum and surcharge.
