For six years, the War on Terror has been fought against ... musicians. If you follow jazz, you know that includes Cuban musicians.

In September 2002, the Omar Sosa Septet performed at the Walker Art Center without its vocalist, Martha Galarraga, because she couldn’t get a visa. Twenty-two Cuban musicians, including Grammy-winning pianist Chucho Valdés, were unable to get visas in time for that year’s Latin Grammy Awards. (Valdés once frequented the Dakota. No more.)

In 2004, 77-year-old pianist Ibrahim Ferrer of Buena Vista Social Club fame was denied entry into the United States to accept his second Grammy. He had come here in 2000 to claim his first, for best new artist; by 2003, he was a threat to America. He died in 2005.

Not one of the Afro-Cuban All-Stars who toured the States earlier this year (40 cities, including a performance at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis) is a resident of Cuba. All are expats with passports in other nations.

Times may be changing. Recently, singer Omara Portuondo, also of the Buena Vista Social Club, was granted a travel visa for two performances in California this month. Her visa came a few days after her 2008 recording, “Gracias” (World Village), was nominated for a Latin Grammy. No word yet on whether she’ll be allowed to attend the Grammy festivities in Las Vegas on Nov. 5.

In Portuondo’s words: “Jose Marti, our great Cuban poet, once said that ‘music is the soul of the people’ ... Perhaps, through these performances, I could be a good will ambassador.” She already is. Here’s a recent video featuring “La Diva de Cuba” at the 2009 Jazz Fest Wein (Vienna).  And here’s a brief career-spanner made in honor of her Grammy nomination, featuring the title song.

This week’s jazz picks should present no visa problems.

Friday and Saturday: Eric Alexander. Tenor saxophonist Alexander usually comes to the Artists’ Quarter once a year, his visits eagerly awaited by fans, including yours truly. Barely over 40, he has made 24 recordings as leader and somewhere around 70 as sideman; he admits to losing count. His tone is warm and golden, his swing impeccable, and when he lets loose, watch out. One of his fairly early albums (1999) is called “Alexander the Great,” which is no stretch. It’s likely you can buy his latest, “Revival of the Fittest,” from Davis at the door and have it signed. Here’s a video from last year’s AQ visit with pianist David Hazeltine. 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23 and 24, Artists’ Quarter ($15).

Saturday and Sunday: Hot Jazz! Harlem Night! During the 1920s and ’30s, jazz was the heartbeat of Harlem. Go back in time and deep into the music with the first program in the Capri Theater’s 2009-2010 “Legends” series. Conceived by Charmin Michelle and directed by Dennis Spears, it features both fine vocalists plus pianist Rick Carlson, a seven-piece jazz orchestra, costumes, dancers and poets. The newly renovated Capri is a gem of a venue. 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 ($25), 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25 ($20), Capri Theater. Tickets online or call 866-411-8111.

Sunday: Joan Griffith and Laura Caviani. Feeling strapped for cash? You can still hear live music — really good live music. Guitarist Joan Griffith and pianist Laura Caviani will play selections from their latest CD, the beautiful “Sambanova,” at the Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center at Macalester College in St. Paul, where Griffith is on the faculty. They’ll also mine their repertoire for other Brazilian tunes and originals. No cover, no donations, no bar, no food. Just you and the afternoon and the music. 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Building, 130 Macalester St., St. Paul. Free.

Pamela Espeland keeps a Twin Cities live jazz calendar and blogs about jazz at Bebopified. She tweets about jazz on Twitter.