Last week's jazz picks included the front-end of Richard Johnson's two-night engagement at the Dunsmore Room at Crooners. That first gig featured Johnson's piano trio. This concluding gig has Johnson providing support for the soulfully sublime vocalist Debbie Duncan, who is prepping for her live recording at the Dakota later this summer. The versatility of both pianist and singer should produce a set list of surprises as well as standards. (7 p.m. Wed., Crooners, Fridley; $15-$45, croonersloungemn.com)

Playing the hits

Bassist Jay Young has a special talent for gathering musicians with jazz chops and a natural taste for groove and rhythm & blues. Young's band Lyric Factory includes such notables as vocalist Yolande Bruce and drummer Kevin Washington, who thrived as a last-minute replacement for Christian Sands last week. They'll cover Herbie Hancock, Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson and Earth, Wind & Fire, among many others. (7 p.m. Sat., Dakota, Mpls.; $15, dakotacooks.com)

Global jazz group

It's been a couple of years since Mauilotus: The Marilyn Allysum Group played the Twin Cities. Formerly known as Quintessence, the band has a blend of New Age spirituality, global instrumentation and earnest scholarship that can bring out the cynic in jazz purists. Yet there is both grandeur and simplicity to their style — not to mention creativity to their interactions — which merits respect. Allysum is the leader on piano, flute, Chinese harp and vocals, while David Wolfe plays a mean santoor (Persian harp). Bassist Charles Fletcher and drummer Mike Hurley round out the quartet. (8 p.m. Sat., Jazz Central, Mpls.; $20, jazzcentralstudios.org)

Solo Keezer at Crooner's

Pianist Geoff Keezer just belongs in the Dunsmore Room. He established his hard bop credentials as the last pianist for Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, followed by a slew of headlining albums and sideman gigs with top-notch personnel. And he recently backed singers including Diana Krall, Dianne Reeves and, twice at Crooners, Gillian Margot. This solo set in the elegant room is long overdue. (7 p.m. Mon., Dunsmore Room at Crooners, Fridley; $15-$45, croonersloungemn.com)