Despite its name, the festival's 12th year takes place in downtown St. Paul, with its best lineup ever. There's a slew of worthy hometown acts, but the big lures are the visiting dignitaries appearing for free in Mears Park (6th & Wacouta Streets; more info at hotsummerjazz.com):
Tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano consistently challenges himself, making wonderful recordings befitting his restless creativity, and playing compelling, soulful live sets. He'll showcase his latest band, US Five, co-starring excellent pianist James Weidman plus two drummers, Francisco Mela and Otis Brown III. (8:30 p.m. Fri.)
Our pick for revelation of the Fest is the Aakash Mittal Quartet, a terrific Colorado band led by a multi-reedman who deftly combines Indian raga-inspired sounds with crucial modern jazz, making music that's avant yet accessible. Their new CD, "Videsh," is a magic rickshaw ride. (7:30 p.m. Fri.) Night owls can catch Mittal in Minneapolis the following night. (11:30 p.m. Sat., Dakota Jazz Club, $5.)
Young trumpet titan Sean Jones will have a take-no-prisoners band of heavyweight post-bop modernists. Watch out for pianist extraordinaire Orrin Evans and the unstoppable rhythm section of bassist Luques Curtis and drummer Obed Calvaire. (6 p.m. Fri.)
Always among the grooviest of jazz guitar stars, whose playing can be as visceral as it is brainy, John Scofield gives us his cool take on gospel music gems with Piety Street, an all-star unit featuring Meters funk bass legend George Porter Jr. and Britain's gift to New Orleans music, Jon Cleary, on keyboards and vocals. (8:30 p.m. Sat.)
New York City sax man John Ellis taps some young Crescent City marvels with his combo Double-Wide, notably sousaphone virtuoso Matt Perrin and drum star Jason Marsalis. (6 p.m. Sat.)
Saxophone stalwart Bobby Watson, a longtime favorite of Twin Cities clubgoers, has been making vital, immediate music since his fertile days with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. (4 p.m. Sat.)
TOM SUROWICZ
