From Duke Ellington to the Howard Theatre, Washington D.C. played a pivotal role shaping the sound and stylings of jazz — a legacy that’s endured in the city’s clubs, concert venues, and, now that it’s summer, its festivals. With multi-act events returning to the music calendar after a pandemic-induced hiatus, we’ve highlighted our favorite places to catch acts celebrating one of the district’s favorite musical pastimes.

If you only see one show this month:

HOME RULE MUSIC FESTIVAL: Several organizations, including CapitalBop and the Home Rule Music and Film Preservation Foundation, are partnering to stage this day-long affair celebrating D.C.’s home grown music and culture. James Branch, known on stage as Plunky, will perform with his band, Plunky & The Oneness of Juju, along with venerated saxophonist David Murray‘s octet. Branch co-founded D.C.-based Black Fire Records with local jazz DJ Jimmy Gray in the 1970s, which took the more avant-garde stylings of spiritual jazz and added a groove that would help birth go-go. The bill also includes keyboardist Doug Carn, who recorded a number of albums for the Black Jazz Records, a west coast label that operated under a similar ethos to Black Fire. The event opens with DJs, includes a record fair, and concludes with a screening of a new documentary on Black Fire Records. (June 11 at The Parks at Walter Reed, 3-9:30 p.m.; FREE)

If you want to see local talent:

D.C.’S JAZZ MENTOR: As a director in Howard University’s celebrated jazz program, Charlie Young has spent decades mentoring students, many of whom are mainstays of the local jazz community. He pays tribute to the greatest jazz musician to come out of D.C., Duke Ellington, with some of the finest musicians this city has to offer. Joining Young on stage are trumpeter Kenny Rittenhouse, trombonist Reginald Cyntje, bassist Michael Bowie, and others. (June 17 at Jazz Night in Southwest, 6 to 9 p.m.; $10 at the door)

JAZZ4JUSTICE: Juneteenth is now a federally recognized holiday and Jazz4Justice is marking the occasion with a festival to benefit the Eviction Defense Project at the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia. Curated by area trombonist and bandleader Shannon Gunn, the inaugural Jazz4Justice Juneteenth Festival features performances from the Fairfax Swing Band,
dynamic vocalist Akua Allrich, and an all-star band featuring musicians associated with the Washington Women in Jazz Festival. A community jazz jam session takes place after the scheduled acts. (June 20 at Gallery O on H, 3 to 8 p.m.; $20 suggested donation)

A SINGER’S SINGER: Sharón Clark is a jazz vocalist in the most classic sense and she has a monthly residency at Blues Alley where she shares the stage with wonderful guest artists. This month, she welcomes saxophonist Houston Person to share the stage. Person has the big tenor sound associated with the soul-jazz movement that arose during the 1960s and his playing is firmly rooted in that tradition. He is perhaps best known for the many performances and albums where he accompanied the late vocalist Etta Jones. Clark and Person will no doubt recreate that sound during their sets in this intimate club setting. (June 20 at Blues Alley, 8 and 10 p.m. sets; $30 + minimum/surcharge)

JAZZ GUITAR: Detroit native Dave Manley cut his teeth playing with respected elders in the Motor City. He gained wider recognition in the mid-’90s through collaborations with a number of the neo-soul artists that arose during that time, including Jill Scott, Raheem DeVaughn, and others. Now living in the D.C. area, the guitarist is a familiar face in local clubs and keeps a busy schedule. Tonight, Manley’s band features a group of young musicians who represent the cutting edge of D.C.’s jazz scene. The ensemble includes Tyler Leak on drums, bassist Eliot Seppa, and vibraphonist Chris Barrick. (June 25 at Takoma Station, 7-10 p.m.; $15 in advance, $20 at the door)

If you prefer the concert hall to the club:

A MUSIC LEGEND: At 82-years old, Herbie Hancock is going strong despite the 60 years that passed since he gained prominence playing with Miles Davis’s second great quintet. Like his iconic mentor, Hancock has long refused to abide by limitations associated with any genre, and is a pioneer in jazz, funk, and electronic music. The keyboardist and 14-time Grammy winner comes to D.C. with his latest ensemble. (June 10 at The Kennedy Center, 8 p.m.; $49-$119)

VOODOO THREAUXDOWN: New Orleans is commonly recognized as the birthplace of jazz, but that history does not mean that music coming out of the Crescent City does not continuously evolve. This mini festival brings traces the past 50 years of sounds coming out of the Big Easy with some of the city’s biggest names. Performers include members of The Meters and Neville Brothers, Tank & The Bangas, Big Freedia, and The Uptown Ruler. Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue headlines, performing in support of its latest recording, Lifted, the April 2022 release that garnered rave reviews. (June 18 at Wolf Trap, 7 p.m.; $42-$87)

If you want to get out of your comfort zone:

OUTSIDER, OUTLIER: New York bassist Hannah Marks draws from punk, noise, and free jazz influences with her band, Outsider, Outlier, a quintet that arose out of video projects she created for the The Jazz Gallery during the lockdown. Her compositions, which include vocals and lyrics, focus on themes of empowerment and belonging. No Trick Pony, a trio featuring local pianist Amy Bormet and saxophonist Brian Settles, opens the bill. (June 2 at Rhizome, 7 p.m.; $15-$20)

POWER TRIOS: Harriet Tubman formed in New York City almost 35 years ago and is comprised of bassist Melvin Gibbs, guitarist Brandon Ross, and drummer J.T. Lewis. Before coming together, the three musicians independently performed or recorded with artists ranging from Henry Rollins, to Sting, to Whitney Houston. The band embraces the exploratory nature of free jazz but infuses it with the energy and drive of hard rock. Harriet Tubman shares the stage with The Messthetics, a local trio comprised of bassist Joe Lally and drummer Brendan Canty of Fugazi, along with guitar wiz Anthony Pirog. (June 17 at St. Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal Church, 7 p.m. doors; $15 suggested donation)

If you’re in search of global sounds:

LATIN JAZZ: David Sánchez is considered one of the finest saxophonists of his generation. The native Puerto Rican has spent his career tracing a musical lineage from the African diaspora through the Caribbean and into American jazz. Among his many accolades are six GRAMMY nominations, work with the celebrated SFJazz Collective, nine albums as a bandleader, and dozens more as a guest artist. Sánchez comes through town for a weekend of performances at Blues Alley. (June 18-19 at Blues Alley, 8 and 10 p.m. sets; $40 + minimum/surcharge)

DISTRICT OF RAGA: Local violinist Nistha Raj curates this monthly event that brings classical Indian music to the heart of the District. June’s iteration features sitarist Snehesh Nag with Monir Hossain on tabla. Attendees can remain for the jazz performance that follows the set at no additional charge. (June 22 at Bossa Bistro + Lounge, 7:30 p.m.; $15)