Earshot's festival is so big that it has inspired a parallel series, AfterEars. Now in its second year, AfterEars presents edgy improvised music in an up-close setting. Performers include the pairing of Frieze of Life and Eveline's Klang Quintet (Sun Nov 2, CoCA, 4 pm, $3-$5), and various collaborations with Foot in Mouth and Portland-based dancer Linda Austin (Tues Nov 4, Velocity Dance Center, 8 pm, $3-$5). There's also a welcome nod to electronics with inBOIL and Intonarumori (Wed Nov 5, Coffee Messiah, 8 pm, $3-$5). Earshot has lots to choose from this week as well. Good bets include a double bill of John Hollenbeck's Claudia Quintet and the old Pigpen sparring partners of Wayne Horvitz and Briggan Krauss (Thurs Oct 30, On the Boards, 8 pm, $14). Not to be missed is the fleet-fingered Sudanese oud master Hamza El Din (Sat Nov 1, On the Boards, 8 pm, $18). Another great double bill is the Garfield and Roosevelt High School Big Bands (Mon Nov 3, On the Boards, 7 pm, $16). Both are top-notch, hard-swinging ensembles. I've been a longtime fan of penultimate-period (1968-1975) Miles Davis; albums like Agharta and Pangaea catapulted jazz into the 21st century. I'm looking forward to Children on the Corner (Wed Nov 5, On the Boards, 8 pm, $14), a tribute band featuring many of Miles' musicians from that era, including bassist Michael Henderson, alto saxophonist Sonny Fortune, and Badal Roy on tablas. CHRISTOPHER DeLAURENTI

The Earshot Jazz Festival runs from Fri Oct 24 to Sat Nov 15 (check www.earshot.org for lineup and venue information, 547-9787); prices range from $12 up to $400 (for a full festival pass).

AfterEars runs from Sun Nov 2 to Mon Nov 10 (check www.openmusicworkshop.org for lineup and venue information), $3-$5 suggested donation.

chris@delaurenti.net