Between now and next Friday, at least 30 live jazz events are scheduled for venues in the Twin Cities and nearby. During the past week, I attended three that weren’t even at jazz clubs: a performance of Monk’s music at Homewood Studio, the Jazz is NOW! NOWnet at the Minnesota Opera Center, and percussionist Tatsuya Nakatami at the Rogue Buddha Gallery. All three were crowded to capacity.

We live where jazz thrives. And now that we have a president who enjoys jazz (Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Charlie Parker are on his iPod), who knows where the music will go in the coming years?

Here’s where you might go in the next few days.

Friday-Saturday, Jan. 23-24: Pete Whitman X-tet. The X in X-tet stands for 10. The Artists’ Quarter’s small stage barely holds all 10 musicians in this "little big band" — pianist Laura Caviani, drummer Phil Hey, bassist Gordy Johnson, Dave Hagedorn on vibes, and a splendid horn section: Dave Karr, Dave Milne and Whitman on saxes, Dave Jensen and Kelly Rossum on trumpets, Jeff Rinear on trombone. Watch a video, make a date. 9 p.m., Artists’ Quarter, St. Paul ($12).

Saturday, Jan. 24: Nick Colionne. The $20 million Burnsville Performing Arts Center opened this week with a sold-out program of local talent. Smooth jazz star Colionne headlines the grand opening on Saturday. Blending jazz, funk and R&B, the guitarist/vocalist will deliver an up-tempo show. His playing has been compared with Wes Montgomery and George Benson; his baritone is yummy. 8 p.m., Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave. S. ($42/$52). Ticketmaster or at the door.

Sunday-Monday, Jan. 25-26: John Pizzarelli. The guitarist, vocalist, and bandleader specializes in standards, ballads and the Great American Songbook. He’s a warm and charming entertainer with more than 20 recordings to his credit. I missed him last time he came through town (in August) but my husband saw him and thought he was "really fun." See a video here. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., the Dakota, Minneapolis ($40/$25).

Find jazz calendars online at Jazz Police. Click on Twin Cities, MN in the black menu bar at the top.