The best of the season

Jazz

Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival Despite cutbacks, the annual celebration of music, sculpture and culture continues this year with the Buddy Collette Orchestra, Phil Ranelian and Tribe Renaissance, and bluesman Ray Bailey and Friends. Watts Towers of Simon Rodia/Watts Towers Art Center. Day of the Drum Festival, Saturday. Jazz Festival, next Sunday.

Gonzalo Rubalcaba The Grammy-winning Cuban pianist celebrates the release of his new album, “Paseo,” which takes place on the first day of his run at Catalina Bar & Grill, Sept. 28-Oct. 3.

Coltrane Foundation 2004 Evening of Jazz Annual benefit features John Coltrane’s wife, Alice, and his sons, Ravi and Oran, with guest stars Branford Marsalis and Savion Glover. El Rey Theatre, Sept. 30.

OCTOBER

Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival Twenty-six miles across the sea, Santa Catalina Island will be brimming with smooth jazz over three consecutive weekends. Avalon Casino Ballroom, Oct. 1-3.

Jazz at Drew University The annual event this year features Oscar Brown Jr., Cedar Walton, Jerry Butler, the Chi-Lites, Bobby Womack and Marlena Shaw. Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science, Oct. 2-3.

Al Jarreau The veteran jazz singer continues to balance his dual personas as inventive vocal improviser and smooth-jazz hit-maker. Kavli Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Oct. 3.

David Sanchez Group The Puerto Rico-born tenor saxophonist brings his troupe to town. Jazz Bakery, Oct. 5-10.

Wave Fest The annual two-day event put on by smooth-jazz station KTWV-FM (94.7) features Dave Koz, Roberta Flack and David Benoit on Saturday. Boney James, Brian McKnight, Paul Brown and others round out the bill on Sunday. Greek Theatre, Oct. 9-10.

Hiroshima The Los Angeles-based artists continue their multicultural explorations of jazz and world music. Cerritos Center, Oct. 15.

Tierney Sutton Female vocalist brings her cool sound and focused musicality to the opening performance of the 2004-05 Jazz Club series concerts. Orange County Performing Arts Center, Founders Hall, Oct. 15-16.

Nancy Wilson & the USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra The inimitable vocalist, a true jazz original, concertizes in support of her new album, “R.S.V.P.” USC Bovard Auditorium, Oct. 15.

Joe Sample Keyboardist- composer and founding member of the Crusaders gives a solo concert. Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University, Oct. 16.

Doug Wamble Group, Miguel Zenon Group Guitarist Wamble can take a country swing groove as the launch point for startlingly free improvising. Puerto Rican-born alto saxophonist Zenon is one of the vital new talents on the international jazz horizon. Jazz Bakery, Oct. 19-24.

Marian McPartland Trio Celebrating more than two decades as the host of NPR’s perennially popular “Piano Jazz,” McPartland, at 86, is still a compelling, ever-entertaining jazz pianist. Jazz Bakery, Oct. 26-31.

Lalo Schifrin Big Band Best known as the composer of the theme music for “Mission Impossible,” pianist-composer Schifrin leads his big band. Catalina Bar & Grill, Oct. 28-31.

James Moody Quartet As humorously whimsical as he is musically gifted, saxophonist Moody, 79, is still a world-class artist 55 years after he played the improvisation that eventually became the musical source for the classic “Moody’s Mood for Love.” Lobero Theatre, Oct. 28.

NOVEMBER

Jim Hall Trio with Don Thompson & Terry Clarke Guitarist Hall, a founder of contemporary jazz guitar playing, makes a rare Southland appearance. Jazz Bakery, Nov. 1-3.

Benny Golson Fresh past his small but vital appearance in Steven Spielberg’s “The Terminal,” Golson performs classics from his melodious catalog of tunes. Jazz Bakery, Nov. 4-7.

Christian McBride, John Scofield Bassist McBride, barely into his 30s, has been one of the world’s finest acoustic and electric bassists for a decade. Guitarist Scofield’s all-star trio -- with Jack DeJohnette and Larry Goldings -- celebrates the legacy of percussionist Tony Williams. Cerritos Center, Nov. 6.

Jack Sheldon Trumpeter- singer-humorist Sheldon brings his combination of West Coast bop and no-limits humor to the Founders Hall in the Orange County Performing Arts Center, Nov. 12-13.

Ornette Coleman Free jazz pioneer Coleman makes a rare L.A. appearance on a bill with Charlie Haden’s Land of the Sun, featuring Gonzalo Rubalcaba. Walt Disney Concert Hall, Nov. 12.

Luckman Jazz Orchestra The fine Luckman ensemble, led by flutist James Newton, premieres the first movement of Newton’s new suite dedicated to sculptress-lithographer Elizabeth Catlett. Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Nov. 13.

Which Way Is East: Homage to Master Billy Higgins Saxophonist Charles Lloyd’s quartet performs with percussionist Zakir Hussain in a tribute to pioneering drummer Higgins. Royce Hall, UCLA, Nov. 19.

DECEMBER

Jane Monheit The much-praised jazz vocalist sings material from her newly released album, “Taking a Chance on Love,” her first release since moving to Columbia/Sony. Royce Hall, UCLA, Dec. 3.

Peter Cincotti After topping the charts last year with his debut CD, the young singer-pianist tours in support of his latest release “On the Moon.” Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University, Dec. 4.

Ron Carter Quartet Bassist Carter’s work with the Miles Davis quintet of the ‘60s was only one stop in a prolific musical career. Since then he has been a successful composer, producer, player and leader -- one of the rare bassists to successfully lead his own ensembles. Catalina Bar & Grill, Dec. 16-19.

Paquito D’Rivera & the New York Voices Cuban-born saxophonist-clarinetist D’Rivera’s world-class playing stretches easily from Latin jazz and bebop to classical music and bossa nova. He is joined by the Grammy-winning vocal quartet. Orange County Performing Arts Center, Founders Hall, Dec. 17-18.

Steve Tyrell The frequent voice of the Fabulous 570-AM KFAC, Tyrell has successfully applied his rough-textured, twangy style to the Great American Songbook. Catalina Bar & Grill, Dec. 27-31.