Rio Nido's comeback returns

West Bank perennials of swing-era vocal jazz, the trio Rio Nido spruced up the '30s and '40s for 1970s and '80s Minneapolis, refashioning the era of Al Jolson, Cab Calloway and the Boswell Sisters with a pinch of counterculture panache and social consciousness. Those values haven't changed. And the trio's musical virtues have aged well, thanks in part to vocalists/guitarists Prudence Johnson, Tim Sparks and Tom Lieberman — all pros with successful careers outside the band who know how to put on a show. (7 and 9 p.m. Wed., Dakota, Mpls., $25-$35, dakotacooks.com)

Making it up as they go

A pair of saxophonists parrying riffs or passing bleats back and forth in a totally improvised setting? That often makes for compelling jazz. Le Voyage is one of the better quartets to emerge this year, with the horns in question being veteran Donald Washington and young'un Matt Trice. The rhythm section is similarly multigenerational with Washington's longtime bassist Dick Studer alongside drummer Steve Hirsh. (9 p.m. Thu., Khyber Pass, St. Paul; $5, khyberpasscafe.com)

The kids are all right

Hoaxer is one of the Twin Cities' better young bands, playing Saturday at Black Dog. Another strong, adventurous young ensemble to watch is the sextet No Exit, featuring bassist Charlie Lincoln and saxophonist Peter Goggin from Hoaxer, as well as the comparably older whiz kid Levi Schwartzberg on vibes and rugged young talents on guitar, drums and trombone. (8 p.m. Fri., Jazz Central, Mpls.; $10, theillicitjazz workshop.info)

Two guitars, one flow

Two guitarists in one jazz ensemble can be dicey, but the way Dean Granros and Zacc Harris braid and diverge with their Tall Tales quartet is a treat. It doesn't hurt that the rhythm section (drummer Jay Epstein, bassist Chris Bates) manages to be incisive and unassuming at the same time. (9 p.m. Fri., Dunsmore Room at Crooners, Fridley; $12, crooners loungemn.com)

Britt Robson