FRIDAY NOVEMBER 28



SEATTLE SYMPHONY

The SSO presents Gian Carlo Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors. This is a children's opera, which means that you can squirm without feeling guilty. Fri Nov 28 at 4 and 7 pm; Sat-Sun Nov 29-30 at 11 am, 2 pm, 4 pm, and 7 pm; Tues Dec 2 at 7 pm. Benaroya Hall, Third Ave and Union St, 215-4747, 2 pm, $12/$18.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 29



HENRY KAISER

Archly eclectic guitar virtuoso Henry Kaiser makes a rare Seattle appearance. Kaiser's style runs the gamut from assorted folk musics (Madagascar, North India, and Vietnam) to rock, jazz, and free improvisation. For this gig, count on the latter; trumpeter Lesli Dalaba and exploratory cellist Brent Arnold join Kaiser for an all-acoustic set. Afterward, Kaiser cranks up his snarling electric guitars and high-tech toys for a solo set. Polestar Music Gallery, 1412 18th Ave at E Union St, 329-4224, 8 pm, $8.

MONDAY DECEMBER 1



JOSEPH ADAM

St. James Cathedral organist Joseph Adam takes over the Seattle Symphony's season of free Monday lunchtime concerts with a program of organ music dubbed "Sounds of the Season." Benaroya Hall, Third Ave and University St, 215-4747, 12:30 pm, free.

VERN SIELERT

Jazz trumpeter and flugelhornist Sielert enlists keyboardist Marc Seales, trombonist Don Immel, saxophonist Michael Brockman, drummer Steve Korn, and a host of others for a faculty recital. These recitals serve several functions: First, to remind your students, fellow faculty, and supervising dean that you're a badass on your instrument. Second, to play your favorite tunes. Third, to gig with your choice of ace musicians. Meany Theater, UW campus, 543-4880, 7:30 pm, $8/$10.

TUESDAY DECEMBER 2



PRAN

The thrumming, entwined textures of Greg Powers (trombone) and Stuart Dempster (brass didjeridu) dilate time and instill inner peace with nary a scent of New Age cheese. This gig is a benefit for the S.O.S. Children's Fund, which builds orphanages in Third World countries. Oddfellows Building, 1706 NW Market St, 760-2287, 8 pm, $7 suggested donation.

RIK WRIGHT 4TET+1

I was skeptical of the moniker "Electric Bebop," but that's what Wright and Co. cook up: scorching, sometimes scrappy solos sandwiched between fast fusion-y head tunes. Their CD, Polymorphism, is a rather nice nod in the direction of the 1970s cop-show fusion-squonk of "Stanley Stamps Gibbon Album," found on the Soft Machine's LP Six. The 4tet+1 opens for the Jay Roulston Quartet; Roulston's recent disc, Monkey Mind Control, successfully fuses atmospheric electronics with forward-looking jazz. Mars Bar, 609 Eastlake Ave E, 624-4516, 9 pm, free.

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 3



MICHAEL BISIO TRIO

This avant version of bassist Michael Bisio's trio includes the fine percussionist/hornist Greg Campbell and Portland-based brass master Rob Blakeslee, who rarely makes it up to these parts. Considering the high caliber of the musicians, this event, though billed as an open rehearsal, is worth catching. Jack Straw Productions, 4261 Roosevelt Way NE, 634-0919, 7 pm, free.