The JazzMN Big Band recently announced its 2009-2010 concert series, the 11th season for a nonprofit organization people thought would never last. Thanks to a strong board, loyal patrons, smart programming and consistently fine performances by a Who’s Who of area musicians, the JazzMN is something we can all be proud of.

Here’s what’s on the schedule. All concerts are at the Hopkins High School Performing Arts Center (free parking).

• Saturday, Sept. 26: High Voltage! Saxophonist Ernie Watts, last heard here in February with Kurt Elling, is the guest for the opening concert.
• Saturday, Nov. 21: The Three Tenors: Dave Karr, Pete Whitman and Dale Mendenhall. The JazzMN’s own tenor sax section takes the spotlight.
• Saturday, March 20: A Composer for Our Time: Fred Sturm. Grammy-nominated composer Sturm leads some of the finest jazz ensembles in North America.
• Saturday, April 24: The Shew Horn: Bobby Shew, trumpet. Grammy winner Shew has played with Tommy Dorsey, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, and Louis Bellson. 

Tickets are available through Ticketworks (no handling fees). An “early bird” offer saves money and assures preferred seating.

Shows worth seeing, coming up sooner:

Friday and Saturday, May 15-16: Lucia Newell’s Birthday Tribute to Betty Carter. Newell is a terrific singer, expressive and emotional. (See and hear her improvise on the old tune “Autumn Leaves” and make it new.) Personally I can’t wait to hear what she’ll do with the Betty Carter songbook. Will she sing “Droppin’ Things”? “Tight”? Newell’s trio will include Chris Lomheim on piano, Terry Burns on bass and Phil Hey on drums. 9 p.m., Artists’ Quarter ($10).

Sunday, May 17: Marcus Roberts. In case you haven’t noticed, the past few weeks have been jazz piano heaven in the Twin Cities, with McCoy Tyner at Orchestra Hall, Brad Mehldau at the Dakota, Jason Moran at the Walker, Omer Klein at the St. Paul JCC, and now Marcus Roberts at the Dakota. These will be rare and precious solo performances by the former member of Wynton Marsalis’ band. Get a taste here.  7 and 9:30 p.m, Dakota ($25/$18).

Thursday, May 21: Dakota Combo Spring Concert. Along with leading MacPhail’s jazz program, performing in his own and other bands, writing music, recording acclaimed CDs, teaching students and now preparing for his move to New York City at summer’s end, trumpeter, player and composer Kelly Rossum leads the Dakota Combo, a group of very talented high school jazz musicians chosen each year by audition. They gave their fall concert at the Dakota with special guest Irvin Mayfield. This Thursday, they’ll be on their own at MacPhail. Come hear the kids play: pianist Joe Strachan, trombonist Carson King-Fournier, trumpeter Jake Baldwin, saxophonists Ryan Freitas and Tony Pistilli, bassist Cory Grindberg, drummer Cameron LeCrone. The future of jazz sounds bright indeed. 8 p.m., MacPhail Center for Music, Antonello Hall. Free.

Pamela Espeland tweets a daily jazz calendar on Twitter and blogs about jazz at Bebopified. Find Twin Cities jazz calendars and more jazz news online at Jazz Police. In the Main Menu at the left, click on Twin Cities. Jazz radio station KBEM 88.5FM posts a live music calendar each week; view it online in the Events menu.