George Garzone and the Fringe at NEC's Jordan Hall, Sept. 25. Tenor saxophonist Garzone's passionate, explosive, nuanced playing has been featured in bands led by such names as Buddy Rich, Gil Evans, Ron Carter, and Joe Lovano. And for more than three decades, as a member of premiere free-jazz trio the Fringe, he has brought unbridled expression to a succession of Monday night residencies at local clubs and performance spaces. concerts.newengland conservatory.edu
Marty Ehrlich/Myra Melford at the Lily Pad, Oct. 27. Multi-reed player Ehrlich and pianist Melford, both distinguished composers and bandleaders in their own right, are heralded left-of-center jazz musicians. Ehrlich is known as one of the downtown New York scene's MVPs. Melford is among her generation's most adventurous pianists, yet possessed of a rigorous sense of compositional architecture. lily-pad.net
The Bad Plus at the Regattabar, Nov. 2-3. Pianist Ethan Iverson, bassist Reid Anderson, and drummer David King form the acoustic piano trio the Bad Plus, who achieved notoriety a few years ago for their rock-influenced dynamics and for covering tunes by the likes of Nirvana, Blondie, and Aphex Twin. But the real gems are their own intriguing compositions. And their music puts as much classical in the mix as it does rock. regattabarjazz.com
Chris Enright Quintet at Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Nov. 15. Jazz returns to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum after more than two years' absence, with the inauguration of a Thursday night series presenting Berklee College of Music students and young alumni. The opening evening features the quintet of promising pianist Enright, who composes and performs original music. gardnermuseum.org
"The Music of Don Byron" at NEC's Jordan Hall, Nov. 15. Super-eclectic clarinetist and bandleader Byron has recorded tributes to, among others, klezmer cutup Mickey Katz, novelty composer Raymond Scott, and seminal jazz tenor saxophonist Lester Young. From swing to avant-garde to funk to classical, he engages it all with surprising results. He returns to his alma mater for a week of seminars and workshops, culminating with a concert of his music. concerts.newenglandconservatory .edu
KEVIN LOWENTHAL
