Arturo in the house
A perennial Dakota favorite, Arturo Sandoval still plays trumpet like the blood brother of his formermentor, Dizzy Gillespie, and still frequently blows the bell off his instrument like he was Maynard Ferguson's sorely missed Cuban godfather. But over the years Sandoval, co-founder of the Cuban supergroup Irakere, has also become more of a showman, increasingly delving into keys, percussion and vocals. He has an upcoming disc with vocal guest stars. (7 & 9 p.m. Thu., Dakota, Mpls.; $30-$50, dakotacooks.com)
Free jazz for five bucks
A compelling trio associated with the "free jazz" of Milo Fine throws down this week at Khyber Pass. The ostensible leader is percussionist Alden Ikeda, who is "presenting a night of spontaneous combustion." Don't miss this chance to hear veteran guitarist Steve Gnitka and the innovative tenor sax (plus vocals) of Scott Newell, who has been working on new ways of notating and improvising in his compositions. (9 p.m. Thu., Khyber Pass, St. Paul; $5, khyberpasscafe.com)
Double dip of Wycliffe
Wycliffe Gordon will always be associated with Wynton Marsalis, the mentor who plucked the then-young trombonist from relative obscurity for his sextet and later recruited him for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. But Gordon has become a formidable talent on his own, especially adept at gospel and the swinging, New Orleans-style of jazz that includes Louis Armstrong, smeared notes and vocalese. He'll play two events while in town, first at the Dunsmore Room. (7:30 p.m. Thu., Crooners, Fridley; $30, croonersloungemn.com). One night later, Gordon will perform in a larger venue, kicking off Jazz MN Orchestra's 2017-18 season. (7:30 p.m. Fri., Ordway Concert Hall, St. Paul; $17-$47, jazzmn.org)
Let's get Liquid
Son Lux guitarist Rafiq Bhatia opens Liquid Music's 2017-18 season with the world premiere of "Breaking English," an electroacoustic piece (abetted by two visual artists) co-commissioned with the Walker Art Center and New York's Jazz Gallery. Bhatia's previous solo projects, including last year's "Walk Right Up to the Sun," have been both shimmering and dynamic. Here he'll perform in a musical quartet with Son Lux drummer Ian Chang, who also opens the show with a solo set titled "Spiritual Leader." (8 p.m. Sat., Walker Art Center, Mpls.; $20, walkerartcenter.org)
BRITT ROBSON
