Critic's picks - jazz music

JOVINO SANTOS NETO TRIO After a decade in composer and multi-instrumental wizard Hermeto Pascoal’s sonic laboratory, Brazilian pianist Santos Neto lit out for America, settling in Seattle and forging his own lavishly melodic, rhythmically coruscating sound. His trio draws on Berklee faculty, featuring well-traveled Argentine-born bassist Fernando Huergo and supremely versatile drummer Mark Walker. 9 p.m. June 2. $10. Ryles, Cambridge. 617-876-9330, http://www.rylesjazz.com/

JOYCE MORENO Hailed by Jobim and revered by fellow jazz musicians, Rio singer-songwriter Joyce is a mesmerizing performer who accompanies herself with supple acoustic guitar. Though she lived in New York City for several years and fellow Brazilian stars have extensively covered her songs, she’s still something of an undiscovered treasure in North America. 7:30 p.m. June 11. $24. Regattabar, Cambridge. 617-395-7757, http://www.regattabarjazz.com/

FRANCOIS BOURASSA Quebec’s vibrant music scene is too easy to overlook in the Anglophone world, but language is no excuse for sleeping on Montreal piano virtuoso Bourassa, who’s marking the release of “Rasstones’’ and the 25th anniversary of his startlingly lyrical quartet. 10 p.m. June 16. Lily Pad, Cambridge. $10. 617-395-1393, http://www.lily-pad.net/

STANLEY CLARKE WITH HIROMI Sparks fly and jaws drop when bassist extraordinaire Clarke joins forces with wildly inventive Japanese-born pianist Hiromi. Equally expressive whether performing on acoustic or electric instruments, they’re a prodigious team who keep the pressure mounting on Clarke’s young band. 7 p.m. June 20. Berklee Performance Center, Boston. $33-$50. 800-745-3000, http://www.ticketmaster.com/

TAYLOR EIGSTI TRIO At 25, Bay Area pianist Eigsti has been leading bands for more than half his life, honing a fluid, post-bop approach that doesn’t shy away from experimental pop and funk. Deeply involved with vocalists (he’s a regular collaborator with Gretchen Parlato), Eigsti presents a new group featuring the sublime jazz/folk singer, songwriter and guitarist Becca Stevens. 8 and 10 p.m. June 23. Scullers, Boston. $22. 617-562-4111, http://www.scullersjazz.com/

NOAH PREMINGER QUARTET Since his impressive 2008 debut release “Dry Bridge Road,’’ Brooklyn tenor saxophonist Preminger has established himself as an exceptionally adroit bandleader whose expressive palette runs more toward subtle tonal shifts than grand extroverted gestures. His talent-laden band is for the ages, with pianist Frank Kimbrough, bass legend Cecil McBee and drum master Billy Hart. 8 and 10 p.m. June 24. Scullers, Boston. $20. 617-562-4111, http://www.scullersjazz.com/

JOÃO GILBERTO Far more than bossa nova’s indispensable catalyst, Gilberto is the great miniaturist of our era, an elusive artist who distills the essential pulse, melody, and harmony of every tune he interprets. In perfect equilibrium with his guitar, he caresses a chord, whispers a lyric and creates a world of sadness and beauty. 8 p.m. June 25. Boston Symphony Hall. $40-$75. 888-266-1200, http://www.bostonsymphonyhall.org/

REVOLUTIONARY SNAKE ENSEMBLE There is a cure for the summertime blues, and it comes via a bracing, bone-shaking dose of the relentlessly funky RSE, the horn-driven, polyphonous, fabulously besequined Boston combo led by saxophonist-composer Ken Field. This is what happens when a Mardi Gras parade collides with Sun Ra’s Arkestra. 10 p.m. July 3. The Plough and Stars. $6. 617-576-0032, www.ploughandstars.com. Also 10 p.m. Aug. 24. The Plough and Stars, Cambridge

DAVID BINNEY A muscular alto saxophonist who improvises with gale force intensity, Binney has collaborated with many of the most exciting players on the New York scene. His rambunctious quartet featuring pianist Craig Taborn, Norwegian bassist Eivind Opsvik and drum maestro Brian Blade is a case in point, representing several interconnected progressive circles. 8 and 10 p.m. Aug. 6. Scullers, Boston. $22. 617-562-4111, http://www.scullersjazz.com/

NADIA WASHINGTON A tremendously soulful singer and crack arranger who’s been a standout during her years at Berklee, the recently graduated Washington returns to town for Berklee’s Regattabar Courtyard series with a sharp band players she met at the school, including Czech pianist Jiri Nedoma, bassist Josh Hari, drummer Jonathan Pinson. 5 p.m. Aug. 9. Free. Courtyard at the Regattabar, Cambridge. 617-395-7757, www.berklee.edu/events/summer
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