V.I.P. trumpeter

Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass owned radio and pop charts during the 1960s, selling more records than the Beatles in 1966. Touring with his wife of 42 years, singer Lani Hall (from Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66), further broadens the tropical appeal of Alpert's frothy, melodic style. A philanthropist, visual artist and record company mogul (he was the "A" in A&M Records), the trumpeter exudes warmth and contentment working with a small ensemble. He and Hall will cover their hits along with songs by Jobim, Cole Porter and Burt Bacharach. (7:30 p.m. Wed., Pantages Theatre, Mpls.; $53.50-$63.50, 1-800-982-2787 or hennepintheatretrust.org)

Maqam meets jazz

Amir ElSaffar is one of the more fascinating and intrepid pioneers of global jazz fusion, pairing the kaleidoscopic avant jazz of Cecil Taylor's big bands with the ancient maqam traditions of the Middle East. His 17-piece Rivers of Sound Large Ensemble will perform his 80-minute "Not Two" suite in this rare appearance. Read an interview with ElSaffar in Thursday's Variety section. (8 p.m. Sat., McGuire Theater at the Walker, Mpls.; $25, walkerart.org)

Andres from the Andes

The CD release party for the eponymous album by the group Mississippi brings guitarist Andres Prado back to town from his native Peru, one of many reasons to celebrate. On "Mississippi," the quintet puts its best foot forward — the opening track, "El Persequidor," is by turns a Blue Note Records revue, a fusion rave-up and some funky Latin clave, with sharp sax by Pete Whitman tacking the seams. Peter Schimke (piano), Kevin Washington (drums) and Jeff Bailey (bass) are the rock-solid rhythm section. (7 p.m. Mon., Dakota, Mpls.; $15, dakotacooks.com)

Piano prodigy

Cuban pianist Harold Lopez-Nussa has the classical and jazz chops of a prodigy — he already has seven records under his belt at age 33. If his set under the hot sun this past Labor Day at the Detroit Jazz Festival is any indication, Lopez-Nussa has already found the right mix of flash and feeling working in a trio with his younger brother Ruy Adrian Lopez-Nussa on drums and Senegalese electric bassist and vocalist Alun Wade. (7 p.m. Tue., Dakota, Mpls.; $22, dakotacooks.com)

BRITT ROBSON