A voice with depth
Gregory Generet is a big man with a large voice. At first it seems there is more depth than breadth to his range — his low, easy rumble makes the most significant initial impression. But once he's delivered a tender ballad in a higher register (such as "Once You've Been In Love" from his first album, "(Re) generat-ion") and then growled and semi-shouted his way through a blues staple (such as "Hoochie Coochie Man") listeners will appreciate the pliability. (7:30 p.m. Wed., Crooners, Fridley, $15, croonersloungemn.com)
Chris Bates surveys the masters
The music of Ornette Coleman has become the hip canon of choice for scads of ensembles since the legendary saxophonist's death three years ago. Meanwhile, the work of the late Sam Rivers — a renegade kindred spirit to Coleman — remains outrageously obscure. Bassist Chris Bates has had the good sense to play songs by both, and will intensify the focus with his Acoustic Concussion quartet. (8:30 p.m. Wed., Jazz Central, Mpls., $10, jazzcentralstudios.org)
A big band's big debut
Another great big band joins the local scene. The 18-piece Inatnas Orchestra was assembled by the powerhouse wife-and-husband team of NYC transplants Asuka Kakitani and JC Sanford, co-founders of the Twin Cities Jazz Composers' Workshop. A trombonist who conducted the John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble, Sanford has performed locally with his own big band. A wonderful composer-arranger reminiscent of Maria Schneider, Kakitani will conduct Inatnas. The lineup is chock-full of top-notch locals, beginning with the Bates brothers in the rhythm section. (8:30 p.m. Sat., Black Dog, St. Paul, $10 suggested donation, saturdaynightjazzattheblackdog.info)
Speed thrills
There is an improvisational intimacy to the Chris Speed Trio, one of many quietly magnificent New York City ensembles steadily moving jazz into both more chamber-oriented and avant-garde directions. The leader is a melancholy-sweet saxophonist with superb taste in free-range drummers, including Jim Black and, for this long-standing trio, local polestar Dave King. Bassist Chris Tordini rounds out a group that can play standards, David Bowie covers and spontaneous originals. (7 p.m. Mon., Crooners, Fridley, $20, croonersloungemn.com)
Britt Robson
