Charlie Parker has been Frank Morgan's idol since childhood. Unfortunately, Morgan emulated not only his mentor's alto playing, but also his heroin addiction, derailing his music career for thirty years while he spent time in and out of prison. Leaving behind his San Quentin big band in 1985, Morgan made the comeback that Bird was unable to and will pay tribute to his bebop heroes, backed by John Swana's quartet.

—Shaun Brady

Fri., Feb. 17, 9 p.m., $15, Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom St., 215-568-3131, www.chrisjazzcafe.com.

With their moronic name and industry experience, Chantal Claret and her all-man band are just asking for a drubbing. But the worst you can say about Morningwood's music is that they steal riffs and attitude from solid sources (Pixies, Yeah Yeah Yeahs) and sing about stupid sex. Which also explains why they're so fun.

—M.J. Fine

Mon., Feb. 20, 8 p.m., $14, with Head Automatica, Kamu and We Are the Fury, The TLA, 334 South St., 215-922-1011, www.thetla.com.

Thelonious Monk once referred to a disappointing bout of improvisation as having made "the wrong mistakes." The implication that there are right mistakes is not lost on composer/improviser Carl Stone; he delights in the skips, stutters, blips and buzzes that would have average consumers reading up on their warranties. Clarinetist Gene Coleman thrives on the same juxtapositions, often interrupting precise, complex material with sudden bursts of noise.

—Shaun Brady

Sat., Feb. 18, 8 p.m., $10, Slought Foundation, 4017 Walnut St., 215-222-9050, www.slought.org.

The Music: The heavy, head-on rock of this Ween offshoot is full of images of oppression in the homeland and sexual depravity. The Band: Vocalist Guy "Dickie Moist" Heller looks like an Iggy Pop/Kevin Bacon cloning experiment gone horribly wrong. The Venue: The Khyber, simply put, is the best hole-in-the-wall in the universe. Listen: Ugly is the new beautiful.

—Gary Sullivan

Fri., Feb. 21, 8 p.m., $10, Wineskin and 18 Wheels Burning, the Khyber, 56 S. Second St., 215-238-5888, www.thekhyber.com.

Cajun faves The Mamou Playboys draw such a crowd for Allons Danser that the dance is moving to a larger hall for Mardi Gras. Their new double CD, Dominos (Rounder), shows live concert evidence of how these guys keep the music fresh: acoustic trios, lush country harmonies in French and a gyspy jazz variation on the zydeco favorite "Tu Peut Cogner" (Keep a-Knockin').

—Mary Armstrong

Fri., Feb. 17, 8 p.m., $20, Holy Saviour Club, 432 E. Main St., Norristown, 610-272-2921, www.allonsdanser.org.

Something about the trumpet attracts a sense of humor. Lester Bowie was the clown prince of the AACM, fond of boisterous displays and as likely to interpret tunes by Marilyn Manson and the Spice Girls as by Louis Armstrong. Steven Bernstein, inveterate wise-ass of the NYC downtown scene, pays tribute with his own jazz vaudeville trio, completed by Marcus Rojas (tuba) and Dave Tronzo (slide guitar).

—Shaun Brady

Mon., Feb. 20, 8 p.m., free, Houston Hall, University of Pennsylvania, 3417 Spruce Street, www.arsnovaworkshop.com.