Listening to old pros

Pat Moriarty and Phil Hey began playing together in 1973. They have been dedicated jazz musicians and teachers ever since, performing in ensembles medium-sized and small. But their sax-drum duos make for a refreshing, intrepid, tightrope walk — always tricky and unpredictable, yet at this stage in their careers, well within their collective grasp, even as they extend their reach. (8:30 Wed., Jazz Central, Mpls.; $10, $5 for students, jazzcentralstudios.org)

All women, all stars

Fresh off an enthusiastically attended set at the Winter Jazz Fest, Patty Peterson & Jazz Women All Stars take their diverse talents to the club stage, fronted by vocalists Peterson and Ginger Commodore. Pianist Mary Louise Knutson and Kathy Jensen on sax are the primary soloists. Joan Griffith eschews the bass for a guitar feature or two. And Jendeen Forberg completes the band on drums. Most of these women have headlined their own gigs, but their "supergroup" act is a shrewd marketing ploy in a male-dominated genre. (7 and 9 p.m. Fri., Dakota, Mpls.; $20, dakotacooks.com)

Another Chicago winner

Twin Talk is a Chicago trio anchored by the penetrating bass and delicately lofted vocals of Katie Ernst. Saxophonist Dustin Laurenzi and drummer Andrew Green complete an ensemble equally adept at patient balladry and the knottier excursions associated with Windy City jazz. They have a disc on the highly respected Eyes & Ears label. (9:30 Mon., Icehouse, Mpls.; $10, icehousempls.com)

Living history

At 93, Bob Dorough possesses the sort of deadpan vocal style that ages well. Some know Dorough for his nimble vocal rendition of Charlie Parker's "Yardbird Suite" more than 60 years ago. Some know his fine Blue Note albums from the late '90s. Others cherish his launching of the Saturday morning musical cartoon series for children, "Schoolhouse Rock." In any event, he's a treasure (who influenced masters such as Kurt Elling and the late Mose Allison) and will perform with a trio for this two-night engagement. (7 p.m. Mon.-Tues., Dunsmore Room at Crooners, Fridley; $25, croonersloungemn.com)

Britt Robson