September 4

Vocalist Imani Grace plays the Wild Days rooftop bar at the Eaton DC. 8 p.m.-10 p.m. No cover.

Smooth jazz bassist Michael Fields, Jr. brings a band to Blues Alley for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $22 + minimum surcharge.

September 5

Pianist/vocalist Marcia Ball’s boogie woogie style is in the vain of Jerry Lee Lewis and Fats Domino. She comes to AMP for an 8 p.m. show. $35-$55.

Guitar virtuoso Stanley Jordan kicks off a five night run of solo performances at Blues Alley. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $30-$35 + minimum/surcharge.

September 6

The Flash Of The Spirit Music Festival returns to D.C. for its third iteration, presenting global sounds throughout the city during September and October. The festival opens tonight at Tropicalia with Boukman Eksperyans, one of Haiti’s most beloved bans. Crank LuKongo, a band that infuses go-go with afrobeat influences, opens the bill. 8 p.m. $20. The full festival schedule is available here.

Area mainstays Paul Carr and Marshall Keys co-lead a band at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $5 at the door.

The What Cheer? Brigade is a 20-piece brass band out of Providence, R.I. that brings the party to any venue. The band comes to Rhizome along with local openers Cool People and Clear Channel. 8 p.m. $10.

John Patitucci is a master bassist who has spent considerable time playing with jazz icons like Chick Corea and Wayne Shorter. He comes to AMP with a trio that includes pianist Jon Cowherd and drummer Adam Cruz for a show to benefit the Salla Treatment and Research Foundation. 8 p.m. $25-$200.

Dial 251 for Jazz returns to Mr. Henry’s. 8 p.m.-11 p.m. $15 per person minimum.

Saxophonist Antonio Parker pays Jojo’s with his band from 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover.

September 7

One of the biggest cultural happenings this month in D.C. is the 16-day festival that the Kennedy Center is hosting to celebrate the opening of its new expansion The REACH. Tickets to see the over 1000 performers participating are free, but must be reserved in advance. Notable performers include Robert Glasper, Thievery Corporation, Renee Fleming, and De La Soul. The festival begins today and runs through September 22. Visit the festival website for full schedule and ticket information.

The 29th annual Rosslyn Jazz Festival comes to Gateway Park from 1 p.m.-7 p.m. The Suffers, a Houston-based soul band, headlines this year’s event. The bill also includes New Orleans brass band Cha Wa, singer/cellist Leyla McCalla, and the local JoGo Project. FREE

The Birchmere hosts over a dozen of the area’s best guitarists—including Dave Chappell, Tommy Lepson, and Tom Principato—as they pay tribute to the late local legend Danny Gatton. 7:30 p.m. $25.

Nicole Saphos did not take long to become a regular performer at local jazz venues. The talented young bassist and vocalist plays 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. sets at Sotto. $20.

Trumpeter Luke Brandon, who is a member of the Airmen of Note, the U.S. Air Force’s jazz big band, leads a band at Marvin. 8 p.m. No cover.

Mr. Henry’s hosts the Brazilian sounds of Batida Diferente. 8 p.m.-11 p.m. $15 per person minimum.

Veteran area pianist/organist Bill Heid leads his band at Jojo’s. 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover.

September 8

Vibraphonist Chris Barrick plays Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $10 at the door.

September 9

Les Filles De Illighadad is breaking new ground by being one of the very few female-led bands that specializes in the Tuareg music of West Africa. The ensemble comes to the U.S. from Niger as part of Flash Of The Spirit and plays Rhizome at 7:30 p.m. $20. The band also plays a free show at the Coolidge Auditorium in the Library of Congress on Thursday, September 19. 12 p.m.

Area pianist Joshua Espinoza celebrates the release of his new album, Journey Into Night, with 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $22 + minimum/surcharge.

September 10

Che Apalache plays a 7 p.m. show at the Hill Center as part of Flash Of The Spirit. The band blends the bluegrass of Appalachia with various South and Central American influences. $18-$20.

September 11

The Messthetics, a critically acclaimed ensemble that pairs Fugazi’s powerhouse rhythm section with Anthony Pirog’s guitar wizardry is set to release a new album. The band plays the Black Cat mainstage with openers Janel Leppin and Mock Identity. $15 in advance/$18 at the door. 7:30 p.m. doors.

Vibraphonist Chuck Redd leads a group at Twins Jazz. 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + minimum/surcharge.

September 12

Snarky Puppy is more of a musical collective than a band. Leader and bassist Michael League and his rotating cast of musicians have become a draw on the touring circuit due to a combination of infectious grooves, instrumental prowess, and willingness to blend genres. Snarky Puppy comes to The Music Center at Strathmore for an 8 p.m. show along with vocalist Alina Engibaryan. $29-$69.

Christian Sands is a gifted pianist and composer who already has three Grammy nominations to his credit. He’ll be at Blues Alley for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $25 + minimum/surcharge.

September 13

Vocalist Lavenia Nesmith plays Jazz Night in Southwest from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $5 at the door.

Saxophonist and local jazz mainstay Marshall Keys comes to Sotto with his band for 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. sets. $20.

Herb Scott, one of the area’s busiest saxophonists, brings a band to Marvin. 8 p.m. No cover.

Trumpeter Kevin Cordt leads a band at Mr. Henry’s from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. $15 per person minimum.

Shemekia Copeland is considered one of the finest blues singers of her generation. She comes to AMP for an 8 p.m. show. $25-$45.

Trumpeter JS Williams, who is based in New York but maintains strong ties with D.C., comes to Jojo’s with his group from 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover.

Following in the footsteps of a legendary parent is always a risky proposition, but Ravi Coltrane has managed to carve out a niche for himself in the jazz world and play with his own voice. He begins three nights of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $40 + minimum/surcharge.

Bassist Steve Arnold leads the Sea Change through 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. sets at Twins Jazz tonight and tomorrow. $15 + minimum/surcharge.

September 14

Violist/violinist Jason Kao Hwang comes to Rhizome with two fellow mainstays of New York’s experimental music scene, guitarist Anders Nilsson and drummer Michael T.A. Thompson. Performing under the name Critical Response, the trio plays a 4 p.m. show at Rhizome. $20.

Veteran area hard bop trumpeter Michael Thomas brings his long-running quintet to Sotto for 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. sets. $20.

Ace local drummer Tyler Leak leads his band Free Form at Marvin. 8 p.m. No cover.

Vocalist Knanh Ngo is relatively new to the local scene. You can check him out from 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m. at Jojo’s. No cover.

September 15

Bassist Michael Bisio, cornetist Kirk Knuffke, and cellist Fred Lonberh-Holm released the intriguingly named recording Requiem for a New York Slice earlier this year. The album ranges from challenging avant-garde sounds to mournful drones that have an almost spiritual quality. The trio and record have made waves in the New York experimental music community and they come to D.C. for a show at Rhizome. 8 p.m. $20.

September 16

Pianist Spike Willner leads a trio at Blues Alley. 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $22 + minimum/surcharge.

September 17

Chicago-based Eli Winter headlines an evening of modern acoustic guitar music at Rhizome. Fellow pickers Yasmin Williams and Kevin Coleman also perform. 8 p.m. $10.

Saxophonist Owen Broder pays tribute to the collaboration between Duke Ellington and his favorite sax man, Johnny Hodges, with 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $22 + minimum/surcharge.

September 18

Vocalist and pianist Amy K. Bormet plays the Wild Days rooftop bar at the Eaton DC. 8 p.m.-10 p.m. No cover.

Trumpeter Theo Croker brings a band to Blues Alley for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $25 + minimum/surcharge.

September 19

Drummer-vocalist Dante Pope brings his soul jazz groove to Marvin. 7 p.m. No cover.

Billy Cobham is a drumming legend who rose to prominence in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s through his work with Miles Davis and the groundbreaking Mahavishnu Orchestra. Cobham is touring with a new group, The Crosswind Project, to celebrate his 75th birthday and the band comes to The Howard Theatre with special guest trumpeter Randy Brecker. 8 p.m. $35-$40.

Vocalist and NEA Jazz Master Dee Dee Bridgwater sets up shop at Blues Alley for a four-night run of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets. $60-$65 + minimum/surcharge.

September 20

Marvin hosts another member of the Airmen of Note as saxophonist Tedd Baker leads a band starting at 7 p.m. No cover.

The Bossa Bistro + Lounge hosts La Inedita as part of Flash Of The Spirit. The Peruvian band mixes its native cumbia with Jamaican rhythms and other contemporary sounds. 7 p.m. $10 at the door.

Love Movement is a band that combines original music with the tap dancing of its leader, Michela Marino Lerman. The ensemble comes to AMP for an 8 p.m. show. $18-$38.

Drummer Philip Thomas leads a quintet at Mr. Henry’s from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.

Brian Settles is one of the area’s most forward-thinking jazz musicians. The saxophonist brings a group to Jojo’s from 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover.

September 21

Vocalist Christie Dashiell plays Jazz at the Parks at Walter Reed from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. FREE

Saxophonist Kenneth Whalum blends the soul of his native Memphis with hip-hop, blues, and more than a little jazz. He celebrates the release of his new album, Beautiful Ending, with 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. sets at Sotto. $20. Discounted standing room tickets available.

Ubiquitous area vocalist Aaron Myers comes to Jojo’s from 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover.

September 22

Vocalist W. Allen Taylor leads a quintet at Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $10 at the door.

September 23

Guitarist Shawn Purcell celebrates the release of his new album, Symmetricity, with 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $22 + minimum/surcharge.

September 24

Pianist/vocalist Chris Urquiaga plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $22+ minimum/surcharge.

September 25

Banjoist Abigail Washburn and Wu Fei, who plays the guzhem (a 21-string Chinese zither), weave together traditional Appalachian and Chinese songs, singing in both English and Mandarin. Their songs and the storytelling that takes place between them are aimed at kids and families, so all are welcome to their 7 p.m. set at Rhizome. FREE. The duo will also perform the following night at MilkBoy ArtHouse at 8 p.m. $30-$35.

Terell Stafford is a world class trumpeter who runs the jazz program at Temple University. He’s assembled a stellar ensemble that includes saxophonist Tim Warfield and drummer Billy Williams for his 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $35 + minimum/surcharge.

Area violinist Nistha Raj returns to the Bossa Bistro + Lounge for her monthly District of Raga showcase and jam session. This month’s featured artist is steelpan artist Josanne Francis. 9 p.m. $10 at the door.

September 26

Blues master Robert Cray takes the stage at The Birchmere. 7:30 p.m. $59.50.

A sextet comprised of members of the Airmen of Note comes to the Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum to play the music of Raymond Scott, whose idiosyncratic compositions were featured in countless classic cartoons from the ‘30s, ‘40s, and ‘50s. 7:30 p.m. FREE

Jazz guitar legend Mike Stern teams up with a group of all-stars, including drummer Dennis Chambers, keyboardist Jeff Lorber, and bassist Jimmy Haslip, for four nights of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $40-$45 + minimum/surcharge.

September 27

Vocalists Dred “Perky” Scott leads an ensemble at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $5 at the door.

Skilled area vocalist Deborah Bond comes to Sotto for 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. sets. $20.

Trumpeter Joe Herrera and his band, Remix, continue their monthly residency at Marvin. 8 p.m. No cover.

September 28

Jazz Night in Southwest hosts its annual Jazz Preservation Festival at Westminster Church from noon-6 p.m. FREE

The Good Ones is a trio of musicians from Rwanda who all survived that country’s bloody 1994 genocide. The ensemble headlines a bill at Rhizome that includes Time is Fire and The Mauls. 8 p.m. $10-$20. Part of Flash Of The Spirit.

Vocalist Maija Rejman leads a band at Mr. Henry’s from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. $15 per person minimum.

George V. Johnson has been a regular at local clubs for decades. The vocalist comes to Jojo’s from 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover.

September 29

Pianist/vocalist Jenny Wilson plays Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. $10 at the door.

September 30

Local Brazilian and gypsy jazz favorites Veronneau plays 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley to record a forthcoming live album. $22 + minimum/surcharge.