The week's best Twin Cities jazz: Winter Jazz Fest at Studio Z, David Sanborn at Dakota

Schimke Trio update

Pianist Peter Schimke was one of the steadfast musicians who elevated the level of play at St. Paul's old Artists' Quarter. Among his many ensemble configurations was the Peter Schimke Trio with AQ owners Kenny Horst and Billy Peterson. This week the trio returns with a younger but equally formidable and flexible rhythm section in bassist Chris Bates and drummer Cory Healey. (9 p.m. Thu., Reverie, Mpls.; donations accepted, thursdaynightjazzatreverie.info)

Collaborations are all the rage in the cross-currents between hip-hop, electronica, modern jazz and new-classical chamber music. One of the more ingenious yet seamless partnerships arises from dexterous jazz-rock quintet Kneebody and electronica sound-scaper Daedelus (aka Alfred Darlington), collectively known as Kneedelus. Moods range from ambient relaxation to gnarly but smooth fusion jazz, playing as if a crazy-talented ghost is tweaking the drumbeats and horn bleats. (8 p.m. Fri., Cedar Cultural Center, Mpls.; $28, walkerart.org)

Three acts on the Shifting Paradigm label dominate the lineup for the fourth annual Winter Jazz Fest at Studio Z. A headliner of sorts is Tall Tales, an ensemble helmed by Dean Granros twinning guitars with Zacc Harris (who runs Shifting Paradigm) as Chris Bates and Jay Epstein work the rhythm section. The Adam Meckler Quintet features the ace trumpeter/composer with his smaller group. And a pair of inventive duos bookend the itinerary, including the drums-sax interplay of Drobka/Weller and the sublime textural sleuthing of star percussionists Dave King and JT Bates, billed as Real Bulls. (5 p.m. Sat., Studio Z, St. Paul; $10-$16, studiozstpaul.com)

Saxophonist David Sanborn is one of those rare artists who can please all of the people at least some of the time. Sanborn's alto has a gilded tone that blends with his affinity for melody to create seductively catchy fare anchored by blues, funk and jazz improvisation. He has impeccable taste — he's recorded with David Bowie, Stevie Wonder and Todd Rundgren, plus he hosted the hippest TV music show ever, "Night Music," in the late '80s. He can deliver "smooth jazz," but is known to recruit the likes of Bill Frisell and Jack Dejohnette to plumb deeper. (7 and 9 p.m. Mon.-Tue., Dakota, Mpls.; $40-$70, dakotacooks.com)