Everywhere jazz man
Some people can't sit still. Pianist Steven Hobert pairs with an oud player in the duo Oudyano, plays accordion in the chamber-jazz quartet Lulu's Playground and also clutches the squeezebox in the gumbo-Americana band FireFlyForest. The Steven Hobert Quartet, or SH4, is his nifty swirl into a more raucous style of jazz. (8 p.m. Thu., Vieux Carre, St. Paul; $7, vieux-carre.com)
Hey there, daredevil
When Phil Hey puts his name on a band, you expect mainstream quality with a crucial dollop of daredevil mischief. Hey's mates in the Phil Hey Quartet are stalwart pros whom he has played with frequently. Even so, it will be interesting to hear pianist Phil Aaron and vibraphonist Dave Hagedorn negotiate their interplay, with Hey and bassist Tom Lewis the ever-swinging anchors. (9 p.m. Thu., Reverie, Mpls,; free, thursdaynightjazzatreverie.info)
Almost a big band
Shaun Johnson splits the difference between the dulcet urbanity of Michael Bublé and the campy yowl of the Stray Cats' Brian Setzer. He fronts a brassy octet he dubs Shaun Johnson's Big Band Experience (he's also the lead singer in Tonic Sol-fa). A retro nerd of Rat Pack vintage, his performances go for the gut in rousing fashion. (7 p.m. Fri., Dakota, Mpls.; $35, dakotacooks.com)
An elegant songbook
If you like your Great American Songbook adorned with creamy jazz vocals and plush orchestration, check out this Minnesota Orchestra program featuring vocalists Tony DeSare (doubling on piano) and Hilary Kole. The concert also features DeSare's rhythm section, not to mention Prince collaborator Tommy Barbarella. But the real treat here is Kole. She has a wonderful vocal ability to both hover and penetrate in her delivery. (8 p.m. Fri., Orchestra Hall, Mpls.; $30-$70, minnesotaorchestra.org)
Britt Robson
