Rugged, radiant duets

This gig stands as the latest endorsement for the feisty nonprofit venue Jazz Central. Cellist Tomeka Reid and saxophonist Nick Mazzarella are stalwart Chicago musicians touring behind "Signaling," their new disc of improvisational duets. The album is a tribute to '70s and '80s avant-garde jazz — the lead track, "Blues for Julius and Abdul," is specifically for legends Julius Hemphill and Abdul Wadud — but updates that storied era with passion, intelligence and incisive interaction. (8:30 p.m. Wed., Jazz Central, Mpls.; $15, jazzcentralstudios.com)

Joyfire at Icehouse

The sprawling yet cohesive songcraft on Ted Olsen's new album, "Joyfire," attests to why he won an American Composers Forum award five years ago and followed it up as a finalist for the ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Awards in 2015. Working with a local core quartet (he's the bassist), Olsen's first five cuts average more than 10 minutes, refreshing the hard bop and post-bop traditions, before moving into more jazz-pop and vocal songs. He celebrates the CD release with the album's working quartet. (9:30 p.m. Wed., Icehouse, Mpls.; $8, icehousempls.com)

No knock on Wood

FinnFest brings a double dip of Finnish-American Chicago saxophonist Juli Wood and her quartet. First she'll play a club gig at Vieux Carre on Wednesday. Next is a Friday show featuring jazz takes on Finnish folk songs. The versatile former Paul Cebar sidewoman can play bop, R&B and swing, plus she can sing. (8 p.m. Thu., Vieux Carre, St. Paul, $12, vieux-carre.com; 10:30 p.m. Fri., Orchestra Hall, Mpls., $10, finnfest.us)

Marsalis on Ellington

Wynton Marsalis has parlayed his impeccable jazz scholarship and masterful mien to the point where he arguably is the foremost ambassador of American jazz for mainstream audiences. The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra has thrived under his sway. It's a polished, veteran big band full of remarkable instrumental voices, an ideal group to do justice to Duke Ellington on this program. (7:30 p.m. Sun., Orchestra Hall, Mpls.; $43.50-$93.50, minnesotaorchestra.org)

Steele of the night

The high point of any Steeles concert is when Jearlyn or Jevetta sinks into a pop hook or gets seized by the Holy Ghost. Rare are the occasions when the sisters perform without their brothers. (7:30 p.m. Mon., Crooners, Fridley; $40, croonersloungemn.­ticketfly.com)

Britt Robson