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Joey D is on a roll

What a fine time to catch Joey DeFrancesco and his trio. The B-3 organist from Philly is fresh off a Grammy nomination for his "Project Freedom," his politically tinged deep dive into his soul-jazz roots. DeFrancesco tackles such iconic songs as Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" and the gospel standard "Lift Every Voice and Sing," plus he's penned seven originals including his return to trumpet on "One." The band features two of the three sidemen from "Project Freedom," Troy Roberts on sax and Jason Brown on drums, but the main draw is DeFrancesco himself. (7 and 9 p.m. Wed., Dakota, Mpls., $20-$40, dakotacooks.com)

The Caviani Sessions, Part II

Pianist Laura Caviani entered the Creation Audio studios in south Minneapolis this summer to record two discs with her trio of bassist Chris Bates and drummer Dave Schmalenberger. The first, a tribute to Thelonious Monk titled "Mysterious Thelonious," received a bravura coming out party in Hopkins this fall with vocalist Karrin Allyson. Now comes the second disc, a collection of Caviani originals titled "Confluences." (7:30 p.m. Wed., Crooners, Fridley, $15, croonersloungemn.com)

Universals soldiers

The Universals might be pianist Nachito Herrera's most versatile and accessible vehicle. This "world music" ensemble includes a violinist who used to play with Yanni (Karen Briggs), a Senegalese bassist who performed beside the great African singer-songwriter Baaba Maal (Chelkh Ndoye), funky Latin powerhouse drummer Raul Pineda, saxophonist and vocoder singer Mike Phillips and Herrera himself, master of both Afro-Cuban jazz and Euro-classical composition. (7 & 9:30 p.m. Sat., Dakota, Mpls., $35-$45, dakotacooks.com)

Solo Benny

Pianist Benny Green holds tight to his storied lineage, which includes tutelage by two great bandstand mentors: drummer Art Blakey and vocalist Betty Carter (Green was one of the last keyboardists in Blakey's hard-bop haven the Jazz Messengers). The pianist stays on the road, honing his marvelous chops, and will put all of that experience and talent to good use for this series of solo concerts. (5 and 7:30 p.m. Sun., 7 and 9 p.m. Mon., Crooners, Fridley; $25-$30, croonersloungemn.com)

Britt Robson