Since 1991, the Twin Cities Jazz Society has presented an annual series of concerts in a variety of venues. In the past, the series has seemed a bit big-band-heavy, but the organization has widened its scope in recent years. This year, for example, the series includes what I suspect is its first-ever free jazz event. (TCJS historians, you’re welcome to counter; I only looked back as far as 2004.)

About the new season, TCJS board member Andrea Canter says, “We’re trying to be more inclusive of a broader audience for jazz and more types of jazz. If [the free jazz ensemble] brings in enough of an audience, it may be an annual thing, a way of attracting new members who think all we do is big band.”

Sept. 26, Bloomington Center for the Arts: CC Septet: “She’s Big in Egypt.” Musicians connected to Century College in White Bear Lake will perform standards and originals from their recording “She’s Big in Egypt.”

Oct. 10, Bloomington Center for the Arts: Butch Miles and the Wolverines Big Band with Judi Donaghy. A former drummer with the Count Basie Band, Miles was here last October to perform with the Wolverines and vocalist Donaghy. Expect another swinging night when they reconvene.

Oct. 14, Ted Mann Concert Hall: U of M Jazz Ensemble I. The U’s top jazz ensemble’s annual fall concert will focus on the music of arranger/composer/valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer.

Nov. 21, Woman’s Club of Minneapolis: Rhonda Laurie, Connie Olson and Tommy Bruce, “Something Cool.” Cool jazz performed by cool vocalists and a chill trio: Phil Aaron on piano, Steve Pikal on bass, Nathan Norman on drums.

Jan. 23, 2011, Bloomington Center for the Arts Black Box Theater: East Side, “From Miles to Astor.” Jazz guitarist Reynold Philipsek, chromatic harmonica player Clint Hoover, percussionist Michael Bissonnette, and bassist Matt Senjem merge 1960s Blue Note jazz with tango and other Latin styles.

Feb. 20, Bloomington Center for the Arts: Laura Caviani & Friends, “Songs of Alec Wilder.” Pianist/composer Caviani honors the man who wrote more than 200 songs, including “Sing Our Song of Love” and “J.P. Dooley.” Wilder’s music blends jazz with pop and classical, a challenge Caviani and her quartet (Gordy Johnson on bass, Phil Hey on drums, Gwen Anderson on French horn) will likely enjoy. Wait a minute ... French horn?

March 3, St. Paul Central High School Auditorium: Ticket to Brasil, Evening of Bossa Nova, Samba and Brazilian Jazz. Guitarist Pavel Jany leads his ensemble through Brazilian music from the early 20th century to the present day. The St. Paul Central High School Jazz Band will open.

March 20, Studio Z: Milo Fine. This is the series’ free jazz offering. Multinstrumentalist/composer/iconoclast Fine will bring two of his trios to the intimate Lowertown space that is home to Zeitgeist and frequent host of improvisational jazz.

(Brief but meaningful digression: This Thursday, July 29, AntiGravity will perform at Studio Z. The group is Dean Granros on guitar, Jacqueline Ultan on cello, Steve Goldstein on laptop, Scott Fultz on saxes, and Pat O’Keefe on clarinets, with guest Viv Corringham on improvised vocals. Studio Z, 8 p.m., $5.)

April 3, Woman’s Club of Minneapolis: French 75 Featuring Maud Hixson, “Beyond the Sea: Jazz from the Continent.” Singing in French and English, Hixson explore music of the Parisian hot clubs of the 1930s (think Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli). Clarinetist Tony Balluff leads an ensemble that includes saxophonist Gus Sandberg, guitarist Robert Bell, bassist Steve Pikal, and drummer Nathan Norman.

May 14, Hopkins Center for the Arts: The Brubeck Brothers. Brothers Dan and Chris, son of Dave (“Take Five”), mix their straight-ahead jazz with touches of funk, blues, and world music. With guitarist Mike DeMicco and pianist Chuck Lamb.

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