A CD release show is part gallery opening, part christening, part leap of faith. It draws more family members and friends than the usual gig. The focus is on the little newcomer, the CD on which the band has spent months (or years) and probably their own money. A girlfriend or boyfriend, spouse or parent stands guard over a stack of discs and a cashbox with change for twenties.

Then what? Does the CD sink or swim? Does a track or two enter regular rotation at KBEM? Does the band get more bookings? Does the music maybe even go national? Will anyone find it on iTunes?

During the break between sets at his CD release on Wednesday at the Artists’ Quarter, Dan Frankowski wondered aloud what would happen next. There’s buzz about his debut CD, “Thought versus Emotion.” A lot of people like it. Frankowski’s band, Frankhouse, is solid. It’s a self-described pop-influenced jazz band; most of the 16 tunes on the CD are on the short side, with catchy hooks. Very listenable but not at all lite. So a little optimism does not seem out of line. Frankhouse plays again at the Black Dog on July 24. Mark your calendar and go if you can.

A CD release leads this week’s picks.

Friday and Saturday, June 12-13: Jay Epstein, Bill Carrothers and Anthony Cox “Easy Company” CD Release. A don’t-miss for so many reasons. This sterling trio’s last CD, “Long Ago,” came out in 1996 and 13 years is too long to wait for a second. “Easy Company” starts with a lush version of “Imperial March” (a.k.a. Darth Vader’s Theme) by John Williams. Other tracks include Carla Bley’s “Ida Lupino,” a piece with teeth by Dean Magraw called “N.R. Chi,” a delicious take on Cream’s “White Room” and an aching “Never Let Me Go.” It ends with four tracks that together form the “Forgotten Soldier Suite.” Part homage to Epstein’s father, who fought in the Battle of the Bulge as a sergeant in the Combat Engineers, part nod to Carrothers’ abiding interest in history, it will likely end the evening, the better to send you thoughtful into the night. “It’s not for my father specifically,” Epstein explains, “but for any of our ancestors or contemporaries who have gone to war and come back from it. They bring the residue of war home and it touches all of us.... How easily these guys are forgotten.” Epstein on drums, Carrothers on piano and Cox on bass. 9 p.m., Artists’ Quarter,($12).

Friday, June 12: Monty Alexander Trio. This show is at the State Theatre but don’t worry about ending up in the nosebleed section. The entire audience will be seated on stage near Alexander’s piano as the jazz great performs with his working trio: Herlin Riley on drums, Hassan Shakur on bass. It seems reasonable to expect some tunes from “Concrete Jungle” (2006), Alexander’s reinterpretations of compositions by fellow Jamaican Bob Marley. There’s a pre-show, on-stage cash bar cocktail hour from 7-8 and an after-show meet-and-greet with the artists. Top-price tickets get premium seating and a CD, either “Monty Alexander: Calypso Blues: The Songs of Nat King Cole” (2009) or “The Good Life: Monty Alexander Plays the Songs of Tony Bennett” (2008). 8 p.m., State Theatre, ($50/$35). Buy tickets at the box office and avoid fees. Dakota patron members and friends of the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, check your email for special offers.

Friday and Saturday, June 12-13: Ginger and Bobby Commodore. It’s wedding anniversary weekend for Ginger and Bobby -- 32 years and counting. Toast the Twin Cities’ jazz-soul couple for their long marriage and their considerable musical gifts. If you haven’t heard Bobby play drums or Ginger sing, you’re missing something. With Richard Johnson on piano, Thom West on organ, Deevo on guitar and Mark Weisberg on bass. 8 p.m., Dakota, ($10).

NOTE: The Twin Cities Jazz Festival starts next week in St. Paul. Check the website for the schedule.

Pamela Espeland keeps a live jazz calendar and blogs about jazz at Bebopified. She throws out the occasional jazz-related tweet.