Must-see shows at Twin Cities Jazz Fest: Terence Blanchard, Eric Kamau Gravatt, McCoy Tyner

Main Stage in Mears Park

Emmet Cohen: Cohen is among the bevy of impressive young jazz pianists steeped in both classical scholarship and jazz history. (6:30 p.m. Thu.)

Terence Blanchard: A former member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, this trumpeter/composer has scored a number of Spike Lee film projects. He will appear with his electronic-oriented E-Collective, which recorded part of its upcoming live record at the Dakota in January. (8 p.m. Thu.)

Eric Kamau Gravatt: This Twin Cities resident has a stupendous résumé — he was the original drummer for Weather Report and has played extensively with McCoy Tyner, Joe Henderson and other bebop titans. Yet he keeps a low profile. His band, Source Code, is too seldom seen on the local landscape. (6 p.m. Fri.)

Anat Cohen: With buoyant phrasing and impeccable tone, Cohen has become one of the pre-eminent clarinetists of her generation. She also plays a mean tenor and soprano sax. She will play with her hand-picked Brazilian band, Choro Adventuroso, for the first time in the United States outside of NYC. (8:30 p.m. Fri.)

Bobby Lyle: An all-purpose keyboardist on B-3 organ and acoustic and electric pianos, Lyle brings a natural blend of jazz, pop and rhythm & blues. That led to work with George Benson and Ronnie Laws as well as his own successful album in the late '70s. (6 p.m. Sat.)

McCoy Tyner: Recent Tyner gigs have been doubly shocking. First, it's seeing how frail Tyner has been made by a variety of physical setbacks. Second, it's hearing the energy pour out of the influential pianist — known as one of John Coltrane's most reliable partners — as he surmounts his challenges in performance. Special guest Joshua Redman will add to the frolic on tenor sax. (8:30 p.m. Sat.)

Connie Evingson: The Twin Cities vocalist brings poise and élan to material ranging from Hot Club swing to American Songbook standards to contemporary pop. She'll be with an all-star band that includes venerable saxophonist Dave Karr and former Joe Lovano percussionist and jazz fest headliner Francisco Mela. (9 p.m. Thu., Vieux Carre, 408 St. Peter St., St. Paul)

Jazz Fest Jam Session: This late-night jam fest is a wonderful TCJF tradition that began when this venue was called the Artists' Quarter. Pianist Jon Weber is a superb ringleader for this nightly ritual that always produces memorable music and glorious guests sitting in. (Thu.-Sat. 10:30 p.m., Vieux Carre)

Yolande Bruce: Before committing to the lawn chair scrum at Mears Park, get yourself some ribs or pulled pork at Big Daddy's Old Fashioned Barbeque, which goes so well with the soulful pipes of this singer. (5 and 7 p.m. Fri., 625 W. University Av., St. Paul)

Friday at Black Dog: This Lowertown cafe boasts a compelling lineup that includes the innovative semi-big-band Fall of the House of Usher (8:30 p.m.) and continues with two sets by the Bryan Nichols Quintet, led by one of the more reliably creative pianists on the local scene. (10 and 11:30 p.m., Black Dog, 308 Prince St., St. Paul)

Saturday at Black Dog: The Black Dog again looks good, especially early, with the Donald Washington Group (5:30 p.m.) and Davu Seru's No Territory Band (7 p.m.)