Gary Burton & Generations / Brad Mehldau

Two generations of progressive jazz share the stage, elder statesman Burton bringing his latest group of young discoveries and do-no-wrong pianist Mehldau playing a solo set.

Jan. 27, Verizon Hall, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999, www.kimmelcenter.org.

Keeping the spirit of Art Blakey alive, Harper propels his own band of Jazz Messengers into incendiary hard-bop eruptions.

Jan. 28, Chris' Jazz Café, 1421 Sansom St., 215-568-3131, www.chrisjazzcafe.com.

The hard-charging Chicago quintet is one of the tightest bands plying the avant trade today, and the replacement of trombonist Jeb Bishop by cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm promises a whole new textural dynamic.

Feb. 2, The Cinema, 3952 Walnut St., www.arsnovaworkshop.com.

Ars Nova's continuing celebration of the AACM's 40th brings two small combos, both longtime partnerships of inventive improvisers.

Feb. 3, International House, 3701 Chestnut St., 215-387-5125, www.ihousephilly.org.

Speaking of the Jazz Messengers, Jackson was a member of its final incarnation, and the tenorist continues to celebrate the tradition.

Feb. 3-4, Zanzibar Blue, Broad and Walnut sts., 215-732-5200, www.zanzibarblue.com.

Geri Allen

The Detroit pianist has an uncanny knack for digging surprising nuances from whatever she's playing, whether comping for Betty Carter or soul-searching with Charles Lloyd. At the Kimmel she'll be joined by Wallace Roney.

Feb. 11, Perelman Theater, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999, www.kimmelcenter.org.

She's the most soulful jazz vocalist of her generation, but if that's not reason enough to check out Bridgewater's Valentine show, keep in mind that she was the siren who tempted the Brother from Another Planet.

Feb. 11, Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St, 215-898-3900, www.pennpresents.org.

Tribute to the music of the late alto legend, led by drummer Louis Hayes, the last surviving member of Adderley's band.

Feb. 25, Chris' Jazz Café.

Joe Lovano

With each of his copious releases, the fedora-clad reedman seems to go in a completely different, though always compelling direction, from sax summits with his contemporaries to tribute discs for Sinatra and Caruso.

March 3, Gershman Hall, Broad and Pine sts., 215-569-8080.

John Zorn's Masada book has spun off into a dizzying variety of side projects; this "Jewish power trio" rocks it up.

March 16, The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., 215-573-3234, www.foundationarts.org.

Go. Just go. Trust me. A wholly unique blend of advanced jazz theory, marching band tempos and carnival exuberance, Threadgill's oddly instrumented sextet is one of the most exhilarating live acts on the planet. A must-see.

March 17, International House.

The Collective is a get-together of the Bay Area's best, any one of whom could headline on their own.

March 24, Verizon Hall.

The power couple of Latin Jazz, the Brazilian vocal/percussion duo have played with, and can count themselves among, the greats of the last few decades.

March 24-25, Zanzibar Blue.

Perhaps the most politically relevant show of the Bride's Jazz Jaunts series. The Iraqi-American trumpeter adds Middle Eastern instruments to his jazz combo to experiment with maqam, a traditional form of improvisation he discovered during a trip to Baghdad.

March 25, Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., 215-925-9914, www.paintedbride.org.

The technically dazzling Japanese pianist becomes more emotionally expressive with each release.

March 31-April 1, Zanzibar Blue.

Great opportunity to see one of the most envelope-pushing jazz artists on the scene in an intimate setting. Moran is a restless experimenter possessed of that most important quality: He's not afraid to stumble.

April 2, Chris' Jazz Café.

The trio that taught The Bad Plus how to convince the non-jazz world they were rock stars.

April 7, Verizon Hall.

The name pretty much says it all, and the lineup is first-rate.

April 21, Verizon Hall.

From Japan by way of the NYC downtown scene, Nagai will augment her piano experimentation with traditional Japanese instruments.

May 6, Painted Bride Art Center.