Raison d'etre : Among my friends I have a reputation of being a bit of a jazz hound. "Don's picks" was started when my friends asked me to let them know about good live jazz performances around town. This sight is not an exhaustive list of live jazz performances. Check the gigs listing at www.tcjs.org for that. These are my personal recommendations for shows that I either plan to attend, or would attend if I could. My criteria for inclusion is very subjective. Things that influence this are artists that I know I like, artists about whom I have heard good things who perform in a genre I like. I have a bias toward Hard bop, bebop and B3 organ. Although I also enjoy and list some trad jazz, blues, post bop, free jazz and swing.

Show times: Standard-jazz-time means shows usually start about 1/2 hour late, but some punctual performers defy the rules. Unless noted otherwise, shows are scheduled for 9 PM. Blue Star Room shows start at 8. National acts at the Dakota are in two sets, one at 7 and one at 9:30.