Thursday

Trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis is the most underrated member of the Marsalis clan. He is confident and capable enough to re-orchestrate Duke Ellington, cover well-known standards with genteel aplomb, or dig into bop and hard bop like his biggest trombone influence, J.J. Johnson (6 p.m., AARP main stage at Mears Park).

At Vieux Carre, site of the old Artists' Quarter, pianist Jon Weber continues the scintillating tradition of late-night jam sessions each night of the festival (10 p.m. Thu.-Sat.).

Friday

Come early for the all-female band backing Patty Peterson, an ensemble that transcends gender gimmicks (4 p.m., AARP stage). At the Securian stage along Kellogg Park, Hornucopia delivers a tribute to Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire (6 p.m.), followed by the Stax-meets-Motown sound of Sonny Knight and the Lakers (8 p.m.).

At Amsterdam Bar & Hall, the well-named McNasty Brass Band plays at 9:30 p.m. If you dig the "hot club" swing style, there's the Gypsy Mania Hot Club Quartet at Heartland (6 & 8 p.m.).

Saturday

Two kinds of jazz guitar excellence take over AARP stage: soulful Russell Malone in a quartet (Willie Jones III on drums) at 6:30 p.m., followed by interpretations of baby-boomer standards by John Pizzarelli and his quartet (8:30 p.m.).

Michael Franti & Spearhead play Kellogg Park (7:30 p.m.). The high-caliber crew behind Jazz Central play Bedlam Lowertown (10 p.m.). Don't miss the organ jazz of JT Bates' Grain Trio (7 p.m.) and the BZ3 Organ Trio (8:30 p.m.) at Amsterdam.

BRITT ROBSON