Dec. 31--Jazz in Chicago never stops, and the upcoming winter season proves it. Following are a few of the most enticing attractions:
Paul Marinaro: The superb Chicago singer had to cancel his December appearance at the Jazz Showcase when his father, Joseph Marinaro, died at age 87. So this engagement -- beyond featuring Marinaro's plush baritone -- could be intense. 9 p.m. Jan. 15 and 8 p.m. Jan. 16 at the Green Mill Jazz Club, 4802 N. Broadway; $12 at 773-878-5552 or greenmilljazz.com
"Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah": The annual tribute to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. immerses Handel's famous score in jazz-swing rhythm and gospel-church fervor, featuring orchestra, chorus and soloists. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 and 3 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Parkway; $29-$68 at 312-341-2300 or auditoriumtheatre.org
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis: It's always a great occasion when Marsalis and the JALC Orchestra arrives for a three-concert residency. The band will perform new arrangements of music of Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, the Beatles and more at 8 p.m. Jan. 22; a Jazz for Young People concert exploring "Who Is Duke Ellington?" at 1 p.m. Jan. 23; and a Battle Royale with the Count Basie Orchestra at 8 p.m. Jan. 23; Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.; prices vary; 312-294-3000 or cso.org
Willie Pickens: The Chicago piano titan, who's constantly in demand in everyone else's band, makes a rare appearance leading his own quintet. 9 p.m. Jan. 29 and 8 p.m. Jan. 30 at the Green Mill Jazz Club, 4802 N. Broadway; $12 at 773-878-5552 or greenmilljazz.com
Erwin Helfer: A self-styled connoisseur of blues and boogie traditions, Helfer celebrates his 80th birthday in the company of Barrelhouse Chuck, John Brumbach, Katherine Davis and others. 7 and 10 p.m. Feb. 6 (thought the 7 p.m. show is sold out) at the Old Town School of Folk Music's Szold Music Dance Hall, 4545 N. Lincoln Ave.; $20 at 773-728-6000 or oldtownschool.org
Juan Pastor's Chinchano: One of the most attractive new voices in Chicago jazz, percussionist-bandleader Pastor has been collaborating with pianist Stu Mindeman and other colleagues to intertwine music of Pastor's native Peru with American jazz idioms. He'll be celebrating the release of his latest album, "Un Cambio." 8:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at Constellation, 3111 N. Western Ave.; $10 at constellation-chicago.com
Ambrose Akinmusire: Chicagoans heard trumpeter Akinmusire at the Hyde Park Jazz Festival, where he showed his prowess as a composer in the world premiere of "banyan." Based on the sonic beauty of that work and the innovative qualities of Akinmusire's previous offerings, the chance to hear him in an intimate venue should not passed over easily. 8:30 and 10 p.m. Feb. 20 at Constellation, 3111 N. Western Ave.; $15-$20 at constellation-chicago.com
Duke Ellington's First Concert of Sacred Music: Ellington's sacred scores are not performed often enough, in part because of the resources and scholarship involved. That makes this event a rare opportunity, with Jeff Lindberg's Chicago Jazz Orchestra joined by Tammy McCann, Robert Sims and the Lakeside Singers. 8 p.m. Feb. 27 at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville; $40-$45 at 630-637-7469 or northcentralcollege.edu
Sheila Jordan: The 87-year-old jazz singer never stops inventing, her stage shows as creative as they are inspiring. She returns to her Chicago venue of choice. 9 p.m. March 4 and 8 p.m. March 5 at the Green Mill Jazz Club, 4802 N. Broadway; $15 at 773-878-5552 or greenmilljazz.com
Bobby Lewis: This will be a big year for the much-admired Chicago trumpeter, for with this engagement he'll be celebrating his 80th birthday, his 70th year playing the trumpet, his 55th year in Chicago and, most important, the release of his 10th album, "Play On." March 10 to 13 at the Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth Court; prices vary; 312-360-0234 or jazzshowcase.com
Howard Reich is a Tribune critic.
hreich@tribpub.com
