We're having a heat wave ...

It’s getting hot this week … and we’re not talking about the weather! Lots happening for jazz lovers – get out and support local musicians.

Thursday, April 23
Alan Holdsworth opens a four-night arpeggio-fest at Iridium in Manhattan. Tix are $30 – get some at www.iridiumjazzclub.com, see him and be prepared to be amazed … he’s adding two shows at The Turning Point, Monday. That’s at 468 Piermont Ave., Piermont, N.Y. 10968; 845-359-1089

Friday, April 24
Trumpeter Gordon James will be at the Salt Creek Grille in Princeton Forrestal Village from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Gordon’s got a new release – "In Joy" on Caress Music – coming out and he’s booking dates in area clubs (he’ll be in new Brunswick Sunday).
Guitarist Dick Gratton will be at the Chambers Walk Cafe on main Street in Lawrenceville, with sets at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
The Trenton Marriott at 1 West Lafayette, always features live jazz music from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. No cover.

John Scofield and Chris Potter’s Underground at McCarter Theater. ‘Nuff said. Check here for details.

Saturday, April 25
The Watchung Arts Center will feature Brazilian pianist Adriano Santos, with composer Helio Alves, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $16; $8 for students. Click here, e-mail to wacenter@optonline.net, or call 908-753-0190 to reserve yours.
If you miss Santos’ Watchung show, don’t fret – he’s playing Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola from April 28 to May 3 in "Samba Jazz and the Music of Jobim," a tribute to Jobim. He’ll join Eddie Gomez, Claudio Roditi and Toninho Horta, Duduka Da Fonseca on drums, and singer Maucha Adnet. Click here for more details.
John Nobile's Summer Swing Orchestra will be at the Indigo Ballroom, 17 Division St. in Somerville at 8:30 p.m. There’s a $20 cover charge, but that includes a one-hour swing dance lesson, and refreshments. Call 908-218-9418 for more information.

Sunday, April 26
Salt Creek Grille in Forrestal Village has a jazz brunch, with live music, starting this weekend. The brunch is offered from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Dick Gratton makes his regular appearance at Hightstown's Sunday Jazz Brunch at Bistro Soleil, 173 Mercer St. Sets at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The Somerset Jazz Consortium hosts a jam session from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. every Sunday at PJ's Coffee on Raritan Avenue in Highland Park.
Gordon James kicks off what he hopes will become a regular Sunday night event — Smooth Sensual Sunday — 6 p.m. at the Progressive Temple 186 Hale St. in New Brunswick. He’ll have his band, a light show and "visual motion photography" by Funkologist. Tickets are $15.
The New Jersey Jazz Society meeting will begin at 2 p.m. at Trumpet's Jazz Club, 6 Depot Square, Montclair. Today’s meeting will feature pianist-singer-educator Dena DeRose in the NJJS’s Intimate Portrait Series features. Click here for details.

Monday, April 27
The Justin Derman Jazz Trio will perform at the Bound Brook Library at 7 p.m. Monday. Justin Derman is a Bound Brook resident who studied at Kean University and New Jersey City University. The concert is free, thanks to the Friends of the Bound Brook Library.

Tuesday, April 28
Shanghai Jazz in Madison has Russell Malone – if you haven’t seen Malone on stage, you really haven’t heard him. He’s got a great musical presence on stage, playing with more energy than on many of his releases. There’s no cover charge, but $35 per person for food and drink minimum at all tables ($10 to sit in the bar). Call 973-822-2899 to make the required reservations.