Arts-related programs made possible by the Minnesota Legacy Fund are turning up on public television and radio.

At TPT, the excellent, eclectic “Minnesota Original” is spotlighting sculptors, dancers, spoken word artists, photographers, jewelers, weavers, potters, violin makers, fashion designers, painters and musicians, including jazz musicians (Carei Thomas, Nachito Herrera, Bryan Nichols, the New Standards).

At KBEM, legacy money is supporting “Butch Thompson’s Jazz Bench” and broadcasts of “Jazz from J-Z” concerts, among others. A new program on the history of rhythm and blues in Minnesota is about to begin, another about Minnesota singers is in the works, and Maryann Sullivan is creating a weekly series of “Minnesota Music Moments” featuring Minnesota jazz musicians.

Sullivan is a skilled interviewer who asks good questions, then gets out of the way. In these brief (3-4 minute) segments, the artists talk about themselves, their influences, passions and lives, with their music playing in the background. Each gives you a good sense of an area jazz artist you might be thinking about checking out at the Dakota or the AQ or another venue around town. If you miss the broadcasts, no worries; all Moments are available online anytime.

Jazz picks for this weekend and into the week:

Friday: Lizz Wright and Evan Christopher with the Minnesota Orchestra. You can read an interview with Créole-style clarinetist Christopher here. Lizz Wright is the other half of this unique double bill. A sultry singer-songwriter with a smoldering contralto voice, Wright has three CDs to date with a fourth, “Fellowship,” due out in September. Her music draws from jazz, gospel and R&B; she has been compared to Nina Simone and Abbey Lincoln. I love her takes on “A Taste of Honey” and Neil Young’s “Old Man.” Wright has been to the Dakota twice, first in 2006 and again in 2009; this will be her Orchestra Hall debut. Here she is in performance at NPR. 8 p.m. Friday, July 23, Orchestra Hall,  ($22-$60 VIP). Tickets online or call 612-371-5656.

Friday-Saturday: Laura Caviani. The always swinging pianist brings her quartet to the AQ for two nights of exceptional, enjoyable music. Based here in the Twin Cities, Caviani  has toured with Karrin Allyson and performed with Toots Thielemans, Stan Getz, and Diane Schuur. I enjoy her most when she’s on stage at the AQ, a second home for many area musicians and jazz fans. Expect some Monk and maybe some Mary Lou Williams, the subject of a Caviani tribute in May. She’ll play with Phil Hey on drums, Chris Olson on guitar, Jeff Bailey on bass (Friday) and Gary Raynor on bass (Saturday). Here’s Maryann Sullivan’s “Minnesota Music Moment” with Caviani. 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday, July 23-24, Artists’ Quarter, 408 St. Peter St. (in the basement of the Hamm Building), St. Paul ($10).

Wednesday-Thursday: Roy Ayers. A jazz vibraphonist, composer, and bandleader, Ayers has embraced and influenced many genres during his career: hard bop, fusion, funk, acid jazz, disco, soul jazz, hip-hop, R&B. He’s known as a fine entertainer and storyteller. This will be his debut at the Dakota, which was just named Music Venue of the Year at the Minnesota Black Music Awards. There’s a lot of buzz about these shows; everywhere I go, it seems someone is asking, “Have you heard Roy Ayers is coming to town?” Here’s a classic Ayers track, “Everybody Loves the Sunshine.” 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, July 28-29, Dakota, 1010 Nicollet Mall ($45/$35)).

Finally, if you’ve been considering going to Crave in the Galleria on a Friday night for food and live music, make it quick. The music will stop at the end of July, a budget-cutting measure due to recent expansions into the Mall of America and the Shops at West End. Crave has been a regular gig for Laura Caviani and other area musicians. This Friday starting at 8:30, Charmin Michelle will perform with the Real Tyme Trio. If you’re sorry to hear that the music is going away, show up or pick up the phone (952-697-6000) and let someone know.

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