Guitar master John Jorgenson is best known these days for sublime acoustic “Hot Club” swing, but he’s just as well regarded for his Americana, roots-rock, country and pop work, principally with the Desert Rose Band, Elton John and the Hellecasters. Amazingly versatile, he’s accompanied everyone from Barbra Streisand to Luciano Pavarotti to Benny Goodman to Earl Scruggs. And it’s a special treat when he whips out the clarinet, offering licks as liquid as his fretwork. (7 p.m. Wed., Dakota Jazz Club. $20.) (T.S.)

A parade of stars stops by Willie's American Guitars in St. Paul for strings, repairs or some serious guitar shopping. Now, two of the store's better customers and its star employee will help Willie's celebrate its 20th anniversary. Texas troubadour Joe Ely, a star in his own right and member of the supergroups the Flatlanders and Los Super Seven, will join Los Lobos singers David Hidalgo and Louie Perez, who were terrific opening for Leo Kottke last year. Willie's employee Molly Maher, Minnesota's great Americana hope, will be among a host of local acts performing to raise money for a musicians' help fund at Springboard for the Arts, Breanna's Gifts (for kids with cancer) and the Salvation Army food bank. (8 p.m. Wed., Cabooze, $20.) (J.B.)

In the eight years since its El Paso, Texas-reared co-leaders splintered off from their influential band At the Drive In, the Mars Volta has become the '00s nearest thing to Rush, a loved/hated prog-metal band with metaphysical lyrics and über-outlandish rock jams that sound like they either came from another planet or a 10-car pileup. What the band doesn't have are Rush's radio hits. Its new album, "Octahedron," is the Volta's nearest thing to an accessible album, but most rock fans will still find it way too out-there. That is, unless you know what the song title "Cotopaxi" refers to. (7 p.m. Thu., First Avenue. All ages. $30.) (C.R.)

There have been novelty songs about Willie Mays and Harmon Killebrew, but never has a band devoted itself to a repertoire of ditties about our national pastime. In song, the Baseball Project celebrates everyone from outfielders Ted Williams and Curt Flood to pitchers Jack McDowell and Harvy Haddix. Steve Wynn (of Dream Syndicate renown) wrote most of the tunes, but the team includes power hitters Peter Buck and Scott McCaughey of R.E.M., plus Twins fan Linda Pitmon (formerly of Zuzu's Petals) on drums. Baseball Project will open for McCaughey's side project the Minus 5, whose new "Killingsworth" (featuring Buck and many of the Decemberists) is more somber than previous Minus 5 efforts. (8 p.m. Thu., Turf Club, $12.) (J.B.)

In July, Twin Cities singer/songwriter Keri Noble debuted a new song, "Loves Me Crazy," on Cities 97's "Oake on the Water." It's a soulful, seductive slow burn about a man putting a spell on her, sung with her world-weary voice with just a hint of churchiness. The new tune may be better than anything on "Keri Noble," the impressive album she released this year. (8 p.m. Thu., Varsity Theater, $20.) (J.B.)

It sounds like a battling-robots sort of thing, but the Clapperclaw Festival is another innovative hybrid of the music, film and art scenes. The headliner on the outdoor stage for its third year is Free Energy, the poppier, Philadelphia-based offshoot of almost-famous local band Hockey Night. Underrated, bubbly Missouri quartet Somebody Still Loves You, Boris Yeltsin also performs outside along with local edge-cutters Kristoff Krane, City on the Make, Guante and No Bird Sing. Electronic acts including Tarlton and The Show Is the Rainbow will perform inside afterward. Beyond the music, look for screen-printing specialists Anthem Heart and other visual artists to showcase their work, a new documentary on "All Tomorrow's Parties" will be shown, and the Beer Dabbler crew is also taking part, charging $20 for sample servings from 18 breweries. (2 p.m.-close Sat., Intermedia Arts Center, 2822 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls. $15-$20. Full schedule at ClapperclawFestival.com) (C.R.)

For its fifth annual "awards show," the folks behind Minneapolis Punk-Rock Bowling may have rolled a strike by landing the Dwarves as a headliner. The diabolical Chicago area band, led by Blag Dahlia and "formerly deceased" guitarist He Who Cannot Be Named, still tour sporadically and reportedly have a new album in the works, tentatively titled "The Dwarves Are Born Again." (9 p.m. Sat., Triple Rock. 21 & older. $12.) (C.R.)

A screamo/metalcore band that's more Warped Tour than Ozzfest, Every Time I Die is back on the road to hype its fifth album, "New Junk Aesthetic" (due Sept. 15). The Buffalo, N.Y., quartet is breaking in a new rhythm section for its tour, a co-headlining trek with fellow Epitaph labelmates Bring Me the Horizon, from Sheffield, England. Oh, Sleeper and Architects open. (7:30 p.m. Tue., Epic. All ages. $16-$20.) (C.R.)

Jon Pemberton's annual "Tribute to Lee Morgan" is a smokin' weekend of classic Blue Note Records hard bop. His trusty trumpet should get great support from a quintet including pianist Chris Lomheim, who was "en fuego" (as they say on ESPN) at last week's Charlie Parker tribute, and saxman Jim Marentic. (9 p.m. today-Sat., Artists' Quarter. $10.) (T.S.)

Fresh from the Hollywood Bowl and the Detroit Jazz Festival, pianist Chick Corea, bassist Stanley Clarke and drummer Lenny White will settle in to the intimate Dakota Jazz Club for two nights. Not only does this mighty trio represent three-fourths of jazz fusion giants Return to Forever, but it commands the highest ticket prices ever at the Dakota. And deservedly so. See an interview with Clarke in Sunday's Variety A+E section. (7 & 9:30 p.m. Mon.-Tue., Dakota, $50-$110.) (J.B.)

Los Angeles indie-rapper Busdriver (Regan Farquhar) has a funny family tie to old-school hip-hop: His dad was the screenwriter behind "Krush Groove." On "Jahil Beam," his eighth album in 10 years -- prolific much? -- the rapid-fire wordsmith proves he's one of today's more innovative rappers and beatmakers. Fans of local kindred spirits Kill the Vultures and Doomtree would be wise to check this guy out. Rhymesayers' own L.A. export, Abstract Rude, opens. (9 p.m. Mon., Triple Rock. 18 & older. $10.) (C.R.)

Legendary music exec Jerry Wexler once called Oakland belter E.C. Scott "one honest-to-god soul singer" -- high praise from a man who produced Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and Wilson Pickett. The blues diva has been busy, distributing a blues TV show called "The Jook Joint" and inviting fans to join in a "Challenge to Be Fit" and become "stronger, healthier, more vibrant persons." Hmm, we already thought E.C. was plenty vibrant. (9 p.m. today, Famous Dave's Uptown. $5.) (T.S.)

One of the nation's finest blue-eyed soul singers, Curtis Salgado is also skilled when it comes to harmonica playing, bandleading, songwriting and pleasing a crowd. The Portland bar warrior has bounced back from a liver transplant, and is touring behind the award-winning 2008 CD "Clean Getaway." (9 p.m. Sat., Famous Dave's Uptown. $5.) (T.S.)

Originally an R&B saxophonist, CJ Chenier eventually found his familial calling as a squeezebox-playing king of zydeco, leading his legendary father's Red Hot Louisiana Band. Chenier has carved out a nice career of his own, occasionally working in the studio with rock stars (Paul Simon, the Gin Blossoms) and country purists (Tarbox Ramblers). His calling card is infectious blues-drenched party music with a Bayou beat, but his live sets and CDs make room for some surprising covers -- his "Desperate Kingdom of Love" album gets its title track from PJ Harvey. (7 & 9:30 p.m. Sun., Dakota. $12-$20.) (T.S.)

When it comes to old rock bands whose music is timeless, do we care how many original members are left? Last weekend, Lynyrd Skynyrd had only one; this weekend, REO Speedwagon still boasts three guys from its "Hi Infidelity" heyday, including singer Kevin Cronin, whereas Styx has three from its glory years, including Tommy Shaw and James Young (singer Lawrence Gowan joined in 1999). Opening is .38 Special, which brings another Van Zant singer, Donnie, to the grandstand. (7 p.m. Sat., grandstand, $34.) (J.B.)

Contributors: Staff critics Jon Bream and Chris Riemenschneider and freelancer Tom Surowicz.