“The cubs meet the lions.” It’s not a zoo attraction or a sports playoff — it’s the first-ever Easthampton Jazz Festival, which will feature student and younger professional groups during the afternoon (“the cubs,” playing the 121 Club in Eastworks), followed by established ensembles at night (“the lions,” performing at Easthampton High School), on Saturday from noon to 10 p.m.
The evening show starts at 7 p.m., emceed by NEPR’s Tom Reney, host of the long-running program Jazz a la Mode. First up is bassist/arranger George Kaye (member of the esteemed Green Street Trio) and his Sextet, performing his adaptation of selections from Miles Davis and Gil Evans’ 1958 take on George Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess.” Kaye’s all-star group includes vocalist Samirah Evans, pianist Miro Sprague, reed man Michael Zsoldos, trombonist Eric Miller and drummer Claire Arenius.
Following at 8:30 p.m. is The Andy Jaffe Octet — with Wallace Roney, Jimmy Greene, Kris Allen, John Clark, Bruce Williamson, Marty Jaffe and Jonathan Barber joining educator/composer/author/bandleader Jaffe (above) — premiering his new CD, “Arc,” performed live in its entirety.
The afternoon performance is free and begins at noon, a bill full of younger and local musicians and singers, including Kimaya Diggs and friends; progressive jazz/funk quartet Ginja Low Main; The Ellington Trio; Lizzie Meier and Stephen Kerr; the Darryl Kniffen Sextet; plus the Expandable Brass Band, the Holyoke Community College Jazz Band and the Northampton Community Music School Jazz Band.
Carol Abbe Smith, the founder of the new festival, is a longtime Easthampton resident, vocalist, talent booker, event organizer and jazz fan.
For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page or EasthamptonJazzFestival.squarespace.com.
Comedian/actor/author Eugene Mirman — best known for his voice acting on “Bob’s Burgers” and his acting-acting on “Flight of the Conchords” and “Delocated” (and of course his own stand-up work and comedy albums) — was a Hampshire College student in the mid-‘90s, and he’ll head back to the Valley for a show at the Shea Theater in Turners Falls on Friday at 8 p.m. Maeve Higgins will start off the night.
The Hartford-based, ten-piece funk band West End Blend, fronted by vocalist Erica Bryan, plays The Root Cellar in Greenfield on Friday at 8 p.m. Peace & Rhythm’s DJ Andujar and Studebaker Hawk will spin groovy vinyl before and between band sets.
It’s a night of jazz when Now’s the Time (playing upbeat modern sounds, drawing heavily on hard-bop standards) teams up with the Doug Hewitt Group (playing originals as well as classics by Miles Davis and Duke Ellington) at The Wheelhouse in Greenfield on Friday at 8 p.m.
Indie-folk band River Whyless (from the fabulous town of Asheville, NC) headlines a show that also features local favorite Mikey Sweet at The Parlor Room in Northampton on Saturday at 8 p.m.
The Springfield Mandolin Orchestra makes a sound unlike any other, and the many-stringed ensemble plays the acoustically inviting First Congregational Church in South Hadley on Saturday at 7 p.m. The program includes Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik,” original works by Jim Armenti, Michael Bell and Victor Kioulaphides, plus some traditional Irish tunes in celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day on its way. Children under 12 can attend for free.
Bill Nace’s Open Mouth label has a monthly concert series at The Root Cellar in Greenfield, bringing adventurous listeners cutting-edge avant-garde, noise, out-pop, free-jazz, art-core and more. This weekend his curated cavalcade includes “harsh” techno star Valerie Martino (formerly known as Unicorn Hard-On), free-form guitarist Kieran Lally (one half of out-rock improvisers Horse Spirit Penetrates), surreal-power-noise artist Noise Nomads, experimental bowed sounds from Jen Gelineau and DJ sets by Boy Harsher. At The Root Cellar in Greenfield on Saturday at 8:30 p.m.
Beach Honey, The frost heaves and hales., and Ex-Temper play an indie pop/rock triple-bill at The Wheelhouse in Greenfield on Saturday at 8 p.m.
The OGJB Quartet — saxophonist Oliver Lake, cornetist Graham Haynes (son of drummer Roy), bassist Joe Fonda and drummer Barry Altschul — kicks off the 28th season of the Magic Triangle Jazz Series at Buckley Recital Hall at Amherst College on Sunday at 7 p.m. Free and open to the public.
Indie-rockers The Head and the Heart (who jumped from Sub Pop to Warner Bros. with their latest record, “Signs of Light”) play John M. Greene Hall at Smith College on Tuesday at 8 p.m. Mt. Joy opens.