What can be said about talent? Well, a lot—a whole heck of a lot. Unfortunately, I am bound to a tweet’s worth of writing, and have thus wasted 46 words on introducing Erin McKeown to you, dear reader, dear music fan, dear appreciator of talent. Let me waste no more! With her sensitive mezzo soprano that whispers before belting and her big Gretsch guitar that dances and swings like a good Virginia gal should—not to mention her fantastic backing band and her slick fashion sense—McKeown’s brand of folk- and jazz-inspired music would be a shame to miss. An uptown version of Ani DiFranco, McKeown will get you hooked when she sings songs from her latest album Hundreds of Lions or rips out her charming arrangements of beloved jazz standards such as “Paper Moon” or “Something’s Gotta Give.” Of course, with first-rate talent, it’s the artist’s own voice that is always the best, and of that, McKeown has got plenty.

ERIN MCKEOWN PERFORMS AT 6 P.M. AT KENNEDY CENTER MILLENIUM STAGE, 2700 F ST. NW. FREE. (202) 467-4600.