Live Jazz in Washington, D.C.

U.S. Navy Commodores saxophonist Justin Mendez brings military tightness to his straight-ahead performances.

Saxophonist BJ Simmons performs as part of Blues Alley’s Emerging Artist series, playing tracks from his recently released album, Trapped In, as well as selections from previous projects. Simmons music is heavily layered, bridging elements of jazz, hip-hop and soul. His compositions feature a mixture of spoken word, velvety R&B style vocals, rich improvisational melodies, abstract soundscapes and chilled syncopated beats.

The Morel Trio – Grant Fisher on guitar, Mike Gambone on drums and Ian Trusheim on bass – plays a mix of jazz inflected with Americana and rhythm and blues.

Trumpeter Joseph Brotherton’s confident, full-voiced trumpet sound can be heard in bands of all kinds across the District (and abroad). His horn’s sound wouldn’t be out of place in the first chair of a latin big band, but his experience in small groups allows him to execute jazz lines with care. He leads a small combo every Monday at St. Vincent Wine.

Led by amateur vocalist Tibyron Quinn, the weekly jam at the Marx Cafe welcomes players of all stripes to sit in on Tuesday nights.

Jazz vocalist Emily Davies performs.

Silver Spring-based saxophonist and multi-reedist Matt Rippetoe maxes jazz heavily influenced by electronic music: his tunes can breeze along with lo-fi vibes or hit hard with an industrial force. He also leads the Calypso-focused Kingman Island Trio, featuring Eric Harper on bass and Larry Ferguson on drums.

D.C. guitarist Knox Engler plays what he calls progressive math rock – think rhythms and beats complex enough to make Dave Brubeck’s experimentations in “taking five” seem like four on the floor.