Back in June, the quartet Hoaxer played a very successful gig at Vieux Carre in support of their debut CD, "Crash Test." With summer over, these four precocious young'uns are due back soon at their respective colleges. But first, Hoaxer will reprise their "Crash Test" rollout along with some standards, demonstrating how much they've grown in the ensuing 11 weeks. Here's your chance to say you heard them while they were still promising up-and-comers. (9 p.m. Fri., Vieux Carre, St. Paul; $8, vieux-carre.com)
Bridge from New Orleans
The Bridge Trio has a strong New Orleans jazz pedigree, with stints in the bands of Donald Harrison, Christian Scott and organist Lonnie Smith on their résumés. They're known to deliver the Crescent City funk with Conun Pappas Jr. on electric keyboards beside drummer Joe Dyson and bassist Max Moran. They're also known for their brisk rendition of the standard "Body and Soul" with Pappas on piano. A versatile, tuneful young ensemble. (8 p.m. Fri., Jazz Central, Mpls.; $10, jazzcentralstudios.org)
Happy Apple returns
Happy Apple splashed onto the local jazz scene a little more than 20 years ago with a disregard for musical boundaries and an affinity for risk. Their semi-rare Twin Cities reunion gigs are always touchstones with, as always, Dave King on drums, Michael Lewis on saxophones and Erik Fratzke on bass. (8:30 p.m. Sat., Black Dog, St. Paul; $10 suggested donation, saturdaynightjazzattheblackdog.info)
The sage of cool
Two months shy of 90, saxophonist Lee Konitz was there when Miles Davis was birthing "cool" jazz and when Lennie Tristano was creating new ways to organize and improvise. Konitz has inhaled the best of the music — with an emphasis on the inimitable swing of Lester Young — and made a dry, wise catalog all his own. He'll be with Dan Tepfer, an accomplished pianist more than a half-century younger, who has earned his place onstage beside the master. (5 & 7 p.m. Sun., 7 & 9 p.m. Mon., Crooners, Fridley; $20-$55; croonerslounge mn.com)
