BERKLEE BEANTOWN JAZZ FESTIVAL, September 27-30 » The former day of celebration has now grown to encompass one long weekend that includes ticketed club and concert events. But the big free bash still takes place Saturday afternoon on multiple outdoor stages between Columbus Ave and Mass Ave from noon to 6 pm. beantownjazz.org
MARC RIBOT AND MOSTLY OTHER PEOPLE DO THE KILLING, September 27 » The quintessential downtown NYC guitar savant leads a double bill with the young jazz quartet with the punk name. Institute of Contemporary Art :: icaboston.org
AARVARK JAZZ ORCHESTRA, October 3 » Boston's own magnificent avant-garde big band (with serious nods to Ellington and Mingus), led by composer/trumpeter Mark Harvey, celebrate their 40th anniversary with the release of Evocations (Leo). Scullers, DoubleTree Guest Suites, Boston :: scullersjazz.com
LIONEL LOUEKE, October 12 » The visionary Beninese guitarist and vocalist celebrates his latest Blue Note CD, Heritage. Regattabar, Charles Hotel, Cambridge :: regattabarjazz.com
PAT METHENY UNITY BAND, October 14 » Metheny's latest powerhouse small ensemble features tenor-sax monster Chris Potter along with bassist Ben Williams and drummer Antonio Sanchez. They killed it at Newport. Berklee Performance Center :: berklee.edu/bpc
RABBIT RABBIT and KOMBUCHA TRIO, October 17 » The extraordinary violinist/songwriter/singer Carla Kihlstedt (Tin Hat, 2 Foot Yard, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum) brings her Rabbit Rabbit project to a double bill with longtime Boston pianist Bert Seager and his Kombucha Trio. Regattabar, Charles Hotel, Cambridge :: regattabarjazz.com
BOB BROOKMEYER MEMORIAL CONCERT, October 18 » The New England Conservatory's Jazz Studies department presents a slew of free concerts this season, including this tribute to the late, great composer, arranger, trombonist, and NEC faculty member. Jordan Hall :: necmusic.edu
CHICK COREA AND GARY BURTON, October 21 » The two stars revive their extraordinary duo collaboration with an assist from the Harlem String Quartet. Symphony Hall :: celebrityseries.org
DAVE DOUGLAS WITH AOIFE O'DONOVAN, November 15 » The peerless jazz trumpeter and composer joins forces with the singer/songwriter from progressive bluegrass band Crooked Still and a positively sick band that includes bassist Linda Oh, saxophonist Jon Irabagon, bassist Matt Mitchell, and drummer Rudy Royston. Regattabar, Charles Hotel, Cambridge :: regattabarjazz.com
CHUCHO VALDÉS QUARTET, November 29 » The legendary Afro-Cuban pianist's grooves seem rooted to the center of the earth. His last Berklee show was a standout. Berklee Performance Center :: celebrityseries.org
