Joel Harrison returns to San Diego

Monday 17
NYC-based guitarist Joel Harrison returns to San Diego with an all-star group featuring former Pat Metheny sideman Cuong Vu on trumpet, Paul Hanson on bassoon, Jeff Denson on bass, and current Wayne Shorter Quartet member Brian Blade on drums, performing music from his latest album, Spirit House, at Dizzy’s (4275 Mission Bay Drive) beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets run $20 cash at the door.

Wednesday 19
Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos starts his double-shift at Panama 66 (1450 El Prado) at 6 p.m. when he hosts the Young Lions Series, this week featuring the Sean Lambert Quintet outside on the patio before heading inside to lead the jam session from 8:30 to 11 p.m. All ages, no cover, musicians bring your horns… Bonnie Wright’s Fresh Sound series brings Sandbox Percussion with Victor Caccese, Jonathan Allen, and Ian Rosenboom to Bread & Salt (1955 Julian Avenue) at 7:30 p.m. $15 general admission, $10 students… Vocalist Leonard Patton performs in duo with pianist Hugo Suarez at the La Valencia Hotel (1132 Prospect Street) from 6 to 10 p.m.

Thursday 20
The Gary Rich Jazz Jam goes down at Harbor Music Hall (1506 India Street) with Dean Hulett and Ed Kornhauser from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. No cover charge… San Diego CityBeat’s 15th Annual “A Night at the Besties” features the Gilbert Castellanos B-3 Quartet with Bobby Cressey, Tyler Kreutel, and Bob Boss performing on the Hornblower Inspiration as it sails around the bay, departing at 7:15 p.m. and returning at 9:30. You must be 21+ and tickets run $35, which covers drinks and food sampling.

Friday 21
Lower Left with Mikan Zlatkovich, Mack Leighton, and Barry Farrar play the Happy Hour at the Handlery Hotel (950 Hotel Circle Drive) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. No cover, validated parking… The Steph Johnson Band has a record-release concert with Rob Thorsen, Kamau Kenyatta, Tonga Ross-Mau, and Gregory Moore at Bread & Salt. There is a 7 p.m. VIP party and preshow ($45) and the concert begins at 8:30 p.m. $15 general admission… The Christopher Hollyday Quartet performs at Dizzy’s with Jason Shatill, Mack Leighton, and Duncan Moore at 8 p.m. Tickets run $20 cash at the door.

Saturday 22
Pianist Richard Thomson leads a quintet featuring Derek Cannon, Tim Nunnink, Mack Leighton, and Charles Weller at Dizzy’s at 8 p.m. $20 cash at the door… Vocalist Allison Adams Tucker’s Saturday Spotlight goes down at the Westgate Hotel Plaza Bar with Jaeryoung Lee and Dean Hulett at 8 p.m. $20 food/drink minimum.