Much of the D.C. jazz scene gave over the summer to celebrating tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter, the music’s greatest living composer and, arguably, bandleader. (Shorter turned 80 in August.) Fitting, then, that the capstone should be an appearance by the man himself, barely a week after receiving an in-person tribute at this year’s Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition. This time he’s the headliner as well as the guest of honor. It’s a low-level affair, of course: Shorter and his acclaimed quartet—pianist Danilo Perez, bassist John Patitucci, and drummer Brian Blade—are fronting the NSO Pops, with guest conductor (and jazz big-band leader) Vince Mendoza, and performing a program that features his National Symphony Orchestra–commissioned composition “Gaia.” Oh, and a special appearance by some young musician named Esperanza Spalding. You know, nothing spectacular.

The Wayne Shorter Quartet performs with Esperanza Spalding at 8 p.m. at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall, 2700 F St. NW. $20–$85. (202) 467-4600. kennedy-center.org.