Summer Concerts 2010: Jazz, Folk and Blues

June 4

Azar Lawrence Quartet: The tenor saxophonist who was 21 when he performed on the Miles Davis live album “Dark Magus” performs from his latest release “Mystic Journey.” Vibrato, 2930 Beverly Glen Circle, Bel Air. 9 p.m. (310) 474-9400.

June 7

Leszek Mozdzer: Part of the still-itinerant Jazz Bakery’s “Moveable Feast” series, the pianist is a leading light in Polish contemporary jazz. Ivy Substation, 9070 Venice Blvd., Culver City. 7:30 and 9 p.m. $25. https://www.jazzbakery.com

New England Conservatory Celebration: The prestigious music school celebrates 40 years of jazz with performances by Roger Kellaway, Gabe Johnson, Jimmy Earl and more. Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. $15 (323) 466-2210.

June 10

Billy Childs Jazz-Chamber Ensemble: The Jazz Bakery’s “Moveable Feast” continues with this pianist-composer’s thoughtful, chamber-minded excursions into the meeting point between jazz and classical music. Roy and Edna Disney CalArts Theater (REDCAT), 631 W. Second Street, L.A. 8 and 9:30 p.m., $30. https://www.jazzbakery.com

June 12-13

The Playboy Jazz Festival: The 32nd annual summer music party returns, with performances by Chick Corea, George Benson, Kurt Elling, Esperanza Spalding, Bobby Hutcherson, the Manhattan Transfer and more. The Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave. L.A. Sat., 2:30, Sun., 2 p.m. $20-$150. (310) 450-1173.

June 12

Tortoise: The influential instrumental combo straddles the line between jazz and groove-heavy post-rock. The Troubadour, 9081 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. 8 p.m. $25. (310) 276-6168.

June 13

Dionne Warwick: The pop and R&B vocalist performs from a songbook that includes “Do You Know the Way to San Jose” and “Walk on By” Levitt Pavilion, 85 E. Holly St., Pasadena. 8 p.m. $40-75. https://www.levittpavilionpasadena.org

June 17-20

Keiko Matsui: The Japanese keyboardist walks a line between smooth jazz and new age. Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. $20-35. (323) 466-2210.

June 18-20

Big Bear Lake JazzTrax Summer Music Festival: Smooth jazz and blues featuring Mindi Abair, Jackiem Joyner and more. Big Bear Lake Marina Resort, 40770 Lake View Drive, Big Bear. $110-250. https://www.jazztrax.com/jazz/bigbear.html

June 19

Ernie Watts: The tenor saxophonist has performed with Buddy Rich and Charlie Haden’s Quartet West. Café Metropol, 923 E. 3rd St., L.A. (213) 613-1537

June 22 - 23

Cassandra Wilson: The sultry vocalist is equally comfortable in the worlds of pop, R&B and traditional jazz. Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m., $35-40. (323) 466-2210.

June 26

Greg Brown: The gravel-voiced folk singer-songwriter counts Gillian Welch and Ani DiFranco among his fans with a blend of earthy storytelling and witty turns-of-phrase. McCabe’s Guitar Shop, 3101 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. 8 p.m. $34.50 (310) 828-4497.

July 7

Femi Kuti & Positive Force, Terence Blanchard: The Nigerian Afrobeat scion shares a bill with the acclaimed jazz trumpeter, who will perform a collaborative work with the Lula Washington Dance Theater. The Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave. L.A. 8 p.m. $8-$99 (323) 850-2000.

July 15

Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra: The cracking house band for the Tony-nominated musical “Fela!” performs from its own catalog of incendiary Afropop, including 2007’s excellent “Security,” produced by Tortoise’s John McEntire. The Echoplex, 1154 Glendale Blvd. 8:30 p.m. (213) 413-8200.

July 16

Caravan Palace: The French group performs a manic, electronics-flecked take on Gypsy jazz. Grand Performances at California Plaza, 350 S. Grand, L.A. Free. https://www.grandperformances.org

July 18

Kneebody: The category-defying ensemble adventurously ping-pongs between the worlds of jazz, funk and progressive rock. Levitt Pavilion, 85 E. Holly St., Pasadena. 8 p.m. Free. https://www.levittpavilionpasadena.org

July 21

Lee Ritenour with Dave Grusin: The jazz favorites who teamed on Ritenour’s 2008 album “Amparo” take on Ritenour’s latest, “Six String Theory,” joined by fellow guitarists John Scofield, Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’. With Dianne Reeves. The Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave. L.A. 8 p.m. $8-$99. (323) 850-2000.

Jamie Cullum: The energetic British singer and pianist deftly swings between poppy jazz and jazzy pop dusted with contemporary electronics. John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, L.A. $29.50-49.50. https://www.livenation.com.

July 23

Miguel Atwood-Ferguson: The LA-based violinist-composer-arranger moves from free jazz to hip hop and funk to abstract electronic music. He’s arranged the late rap producer J Dilla’s work for orchestra, has contributed to the avant jazz collective Build an Ark, and added his touch to the highly praised new Flying Lotus album. California Plaza, 300-350 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. 8 p.m. Free. https://www.grandperformances.org

July 28

Count Basie Orchestra: The Bowl thinks big with this date headlined by the long-running jazz institution, which also features large ensembles led by the reliably adventurous bassist Dave Holland and trumpeter Dave Douglas. The Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave. L.A. 8 p.m. $8-$99. (323) 850-2000.

Aug. 5-7

Kenny Burrell Quintet: The 60-year recording veteran and director of UCLA’s “Ellingtonia” program helped define the sound of jazz guitar in the post-bop era. Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A. $25-30. (323) 466-2210

Aug. 11

B.B. King and Buddy Guy: Two musical titans who have influenced just about every guitarist in rock transform the Bowl into the nation’s largest blues club. The Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave. L.A. 8 p.m. $8-$99. (323) 850-2000.

Ken Peplowski Quartet: The veteran clarinetist and favorite of the long-running West Coast Jazz Party performs as part of that festival’s new summer concert series. Newport Beach Marriott Hotel and Spa, 900 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. (949) 759-5003. https://www.newportbeachjazzparty.com

Aug. 13-15

Long Beach Jazz Festival: Three days of crowd-pleasing jazz and R&B with Boney James, Dave Koz, the Original Jazz Crusaders featuring Joe Sample, Marcus Miller with Christian Scott and more. Rainbow Lagoon Park, E. Shoreline Dr. and Linden Ave., Long Beach. $45-180. (562) 424-0013. https://www.longbeachjazzfestival.com

Aug. 15

Vijay Iyer: A fiery, gifted improviser who topped a number of year-end lists with his 2009 album “Historicity,” this pianist is equally comfortable with his own knotty originals as he is with inside-out covers of artists ranging from M.I.A. to Andrew Hill. Levitt Pavilion, 85 E. Holly St., Pasadena. 8 p.m. Free. https://www.levittpavilionpasadena.org

Aug. 18

Neville Brothers: The New Orleans institution leads a lineup of Crescent City favorites including Preservation Hall Jazz Band, the Trey McIntire Dance Project and second line heavy-hitters the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. The Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave. L.A. 8 p.m. $8-$99 (323) 850-2000.

Aug. 22

Christian Scott: The fiery young trumpeter’s latest album “Yesterday You Said Tomorrow” is a mix of atmospheric, adventurous jazz and social consciousness. Levitt Pavilion, 85 E. Holly St., Pasadena. 8 p.m. Free. https://www.levittpavilionpasadena.org

Aug. 25

Gershwin Across America: A diverse roster of musicians including Jason Mraz, BeBe Winans, St. Vincent and others come together to celebrate the composer. The Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave. L.A. 8 p.m. $8-$99. (323) 850-2000.

Norah Jones: The singer attempted to break out of her breezy, jazz-informed comfort zone with her rock-leaning recent album “The Fall.” Corinne Bailey Rae opens. The Greek Theater, 2700 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. $35-65. (323) 665-5857.

Aug. 26-29

Lenny White Band: The drummer for Chick Corea’s fusion ensemble Return to Forever performs from his latest album “Anomaly.” Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A. $20-35. (323) 466-2210.

Sept. 1

Herbie Hancock: Seven Decades The ever-restless jazz giant celebrates his 70th birthday with guests from across the musical spectrum, including Wayne Shorter, the Allman Brothers Band’s Derek Trucks and others. The Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave. L.A. 8 p.m. $8-$99. (323) 850-2000.

Sept. 3-6

Sweet & Hot Music Festival: The 15th annual jazz festival dedicated to the classic sound of swinging jazz, big bands and blues returns. Los Angeles Airport Marriott, 5855 W. Century Blvd, L.A. $25-100. (909) 983-0106.

Sept. 11

Jazzmopolitan: Filipino Gentlemen of Jazz Jazz merges with Filipino culture with performances by vocalist Mon David, saxophonist Ner de Leon and more. John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, L.A. $25-45. (323) 461-3673.

Sept. 24

Tony Bennett: Now more than 80 years old, the legendary crooner still has an unparalleled way with the Great American Songbook. Gibson Amphitheater, 100 Universal City Plaza. $40.50-147.50 (818) 622-4440.

Oct. 3

Angel City Jazz Festival: The boundary-pushing festival returns for its second year, this time featuring performances by Ravi Coltrane, Wadada Leo Smith, Nels Cline and more. John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, L.A. 5 p.m. (323) 461-3673. www.angelcityjazzfestival.com.

Compiled by Chris Barton