ABOUT THE EVENTS

Following are many of the upcoming jazz concerts and jazz-related events in the Atlanta area. As you'll see, I focus primarily on straight-ahead jazz. Additional events may be found at AtlantaJazz.Info, or Eventful.com's Atlanta Jazz listings. Also, if you'd like to see some of the best jazz musicians in Atlanta, I'd definitely visit the calendar page at Churchill Grounds' website.

In addition to the events shown below, one of Atlanta's best jazz pianists, Louis Heriveaux, has a nightly trio gig at Houston's Restaurant in Buckhead (2166 Peachtree Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30309). You can catch them Sunday-Thursday from 6:30pm to 9pm and Friday-Saturday from 7pm to 10pm.

Here's an RSS feed for Atlanta jazz concerts and events.

Justin Chesarek Trio at Churchill Grounds
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 9:30pm
Cost: $7 cover, $5 minimum per set

Atlanta jazz drummer, Justin Chesarek, will perform at Churchill Grounds jazz club. Justin usually plays in a trio setting that will likely include Akeem Marable on saxophone and Craig Shaw on bass. This is a great band of young and talented musicians, be sure to check them out. This event repeats every Wednesday night. More information...

Jazz jam session at Queen of Sheba Restaurant
Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 8pm
Cost: Varies/restaurant

Queen of Sheba Restaurant hosts a jazz jam session. This event repeats every Thursday night. More information...

Takana Miyamoto at High Museum
Friday, May 18, 2012 from 5pm-10pm
Cost: $18; free to members

Jazz pianist, Takana Miyamoto, will perform at the High Museum of Art. The performance will also include vocalist, Laura Coyle. More information...

Joe Gransden Big Band at Cafe 290
Monday, May 21, 2012 at 8:30pm
Cost: $10

Atlanta jazz trumpeter, Joe Gransden, has assembled 16 of the finest jazz musicians in the southeast to bring you an evening of great Big Band music at Cafe 290. You'll hear arrangements from the songbooks of Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Count Basie, Ray Charles and others along with Joe's originals. Rick's comments: When they say "16 of the finest jazz musicians in the southeast" they aren't kidding... On a recent night, the band included Kevin Bales, Mace Hibbard, Brian Hogans, John Sandfort, Justin Varnes, Melvin Jones, Lester Walker, Wes Funderburk, just to name a few. Don't miss this fantastic band! This event will repeat on the first and third Monday of each month. More information...

Jazz jam session at Georgia Shrimp Company
Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at 7pm-10pm
Cost: FREE!

The Georgia Shrimp Company will feature a jazz jam session at its restaurant in Peachtree City. This event repeats every Tuesday night. More information...

Jazz jam session w/ Joe Gransden at Twain's Billiards & Tap
Tuesday, May 22, 2012, 9pm-midnight
Cost: FREE!

Atlanta jazz trumpeter, Joe Gransden, will host a jazz jam session at Twain's Billiards and Tap in Decatur. The house band includes Tyrone Jackson on piano, Chris Burroughs on drums, Craig Shaw on bass, and Joe Gransden on trumpet. First set starts around 9pm. Read my comments about this excellent jazz jam session. This event repeats every Tuesday night. More information...

Jazz jam session w/ Danny Harper at Churchill Grounds
Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at 9:30pm
Cost: $7 cover, $5 minimum per set

Atlanta jazz trumpet player, Danny Harper, leads a jazz jam session at Churchill Grounds. Read my comments about this jazz jam session. This event repeats every Tuesday night. More information...

2012 Atlanta Jazz Festival
Saturday-Monday, May 26-28, 2012
Cost: FREE!

The 2012 Atlanta Jazz Festival will take place on Saturday-Monday, Memorial Day weekend, at Piedmont Park. Following is the schedule for the main stage:

• Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 1pm - Youth Jazz Band 3rd Place Winner
• Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 3pm - Dwight Andrews
• Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 5pm - Cyrus Chestnut Trio
• Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 7pm - Kathleen Bertrand
• Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 9pm - Roy Ayers

• Sunday, May 27, 2012 at 1pm - Youth Jazz Band 2nd Place Winner
• Sunday, May 27, 2012 at 3pm - Mushy Windmaier Quintet
• Sunday, May 27, 2012 at 5pm - Gregoire Maret
• Sunday, May 27, 2012 at 7pm - Lionel Loueke Trio
• Sunday, May 27, 2012 at 9pm - Tito Puente Jr. Orchestra

• Monday, May 28, 2012 at 1pm - Youth Jazz Band 1st Place Winner
• Monday, May 28, 2012 at 3pm - Yolanda Rabun
• Monday, May 28, 2012 at 5pm - Russell Gunn & Elektrik Butterfly
• Monday, May 28, 2012 at 7pm - Grace Kelly Quintet
• Monday, May 28, 2012 at 9pm - Robert Glasper Experience

Following is the schedule for the international stage:

• Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 2pm - Tropical Breeze
• Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 3:30pm - Andre Rievers
• Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 5pm - Ernest EC3 Coleman
• Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 6:30pm - Eddie Martinez & Jazz Orchestra

• Sunday, May 27, 2012 at 2pm - Mace Hibbard
• Sunday, May 27, 2012 at 3:30pm - Laura Coyle Quintet
• Sunday, May 27, 2012 at 5pm - Son Jazzy Orchestra
• Sunday, May 27, 2012 at 6:30pm - Omer Avital Quintet

• Monday, May 28, 2012 at 2pm - Saunders Sermon
• Monday, May 28, 2012 at 3:30pm - Marea Alta
• Monday, May 28, 2012 at 5pm - Melvin Jones
• Monday, May 28, 2012 at 6:30pm - Mausiki Scales & Common Ground

Jam session at Elliot Street Pub
Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 12am
Cost: FREE!

Elliot Street Pub will host a jam session after the Atlanta jazz festival. More information...

Sounds from the Underground at Elliot Street Pub
Monday, June 11, 2012 at 9pm
Cost: $5 suggested donation

Atlanta jazz musicians unite to perform at Elliot Street Pub. This week features Will Goble and Ede Wright. This event repeats on the second and fourth Monday of each month. More information...