THURSDAY JULY 28

STANLEY JORDAN
This jazz guitarist's eloquent fret-tapping technique wowed 'em back in the '80s and remains a persuasive pleasure. Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave, 441-9729, sets at 7:30 and 9:30 pm, through Sat July 30; also Sun July 31 at 6:30 and 8:30 pm, $20.50/$22.50.

GUST BURNS
A spidery touch and headstrong willingness to work the piano's keys and innards with equal inspiration place Burns among the most compelling improvisers in town. The pianist and music activist serves up a solo recital of his own work along with piano pieces by upstart composers from Seattle and California. Gallery 1412, 1412 18th Ave at E Union St, 322-1533, 8 pm, $5–$15 sliding-scale donation.

FRIDAY JULY 29

SEATTLE COMPOSERS' SALON
Every third composer I talk to these days is slaving away on an opera. Jay Hamilton, whose music can at once frustrate, baffle, and delight, proffers a short scene from his forthcoming contribution to the genre, Blood; the results of research into the use of a food to prolong life. Other composers participating in this informal presentation of finished works, previews, and works-in-progress include Georgia Lockwood, Dale Dykins, and Jeremy Jolley. Soundbridge at Benaroya Hall, Second Ave and Union St, 215-4747, 8 pm, $5 suggested donation.

TSSS CONCERT
Peter Phillips leads students and teachers of the Tallis Scholars Summer School in choral works by Lassus, Clemens, and Parsons. St. James Cathedral, 804 Ninth Ave, 382-4874, 8:15 pm, $12 suggested donation/students and seniors pay as able.

MATT JORGENSEN+451
Think of this group as a brainy Bad Plus with better solos, emphatic rock-driven dynamics, and usually irresistible momentum. Drummer Matt Jorgensen propels this sleek quartet of Ryan Burns on Fender Rhodes, saxophonist Mark Taylor, and Phil Sparks, one of our burg's best bassists. I will never tire of their signature cover of Led Zeppelin's "No Quarter." Tula's, 2214 Second Ave, 443-4221, 8:30 pm, $12.

SUNDAY JULY 31

RICHARD GLAZIER
The noted pianist discusses and plays tunes by George Gershwin and Harold Arlen, including "Somewhere over the Rainbow," "Embraceable You," and "Summertime." Sherman-Clay Piano & Organ, 1624 Fourth Ave, 622-7580, 7 pm, $5/$10.

MONDAY AUGUST 1

JOSEPH ADAM
St. James's cathedral organist puts Benaroya's organ through its paces with a 30-minute solo program dubbed "A Journey to Vienna." Benaroya Hall, Third Ave and Union St, 215-4747, 12:30 pm, free.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 3

SCMS SUMMER FESTIVAL
The Empire expands. The Seattle Chamber Music Society extends their Summer Festival of chamber music into Redmond. Their stunning performance of Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time made me wish the SCMS essayed more music by adventurous (and God forbid, living) composers. Haven't Reich, Riley, Ligeti, Rihm, Lachenmann, and many other 20th-century masters composed chamber music worthy of consideration? On the program: Mozart's Quintet for Clarinet and Strings, K. 581 as well as works by Shostakovich and Dvorák. The free recital at 7 pm features piano music by Rachmaninoff and Ravel ("Alborada del gracioso"). Overlake School, 20301 NE 108th St, Redmond, 283-8808, 8 pm, $16–$38.