The rising son
Septeto Santiaguero blends the traditional Cuban idioms of son, guaracha, bolero and rumba with the infectious clave groove of Latin and Afro-Cuban jazz. Despite the name, the band from Santiago de Cuba often grows beyond its core septet into an octet or nonet, while generating a festive braid of strings, horns, percussion and vocals. (7 p.m. Wed., Dakota, Mpls.; $30-$35, dakotacooks.com)
Sweet swing jazz
Cornetist Warren Vaché keyed a revival of small-ensemble swing jazz in the late '70s and '80s, especially when working alongside saxophonist Scott Hamilton. As with Hamilton, Vaché combined a warm tone with a commanding sense of time and a way of tweaking tradition that provided fresh seasoning to venerable standards without sacrificing their abiding virtues. Now in his mid-60s, Vaché remains a formidable soloist on trumpet and fluegelhorn as well as cornet. He'll lead a quartet for this gig. (7:30 p.m. Sun., Crooners, Fridley; $20-$45, croonersloungemn.com)
Best of the Artists' Quarter
The legacy of the Artists' Quarter is burnished once again as saxophonist Bob Rockwell and pianist David Hazeltine — stalwart out-of-town guest stars at the late St. Paul club — team up with the old venue's august house rhythm section and co-owners bassist Billy Peterson and drummer Kenny Horst. This is straight-ahead bop and postbop served with panache by pros who share taste and hours together on the bandstand. (7 & 9 p.m. Mon.-Tue., Crooners, Fridley; $15-$50, croonersloungemn.com)
Adventurous trio
Bassist Lindsey Horner has popped up alongside a bushel of great players, including pianist Myra Melford, trumpeter Dave Douglas, guitarist Bill Frisell, composer Muhal Richard Abrams and guitarist Chris Cunningham, who brings Horner to town to fill out a trio that also includes drummer Greg Schutte. Let's hope they all live up to their distinguished résumés. (8 p.m. Mon., Black Dog, St. Paul; $10 suggested donation, blackdogstpaul.com)
