‘Charlie Parker Jazz Festival’ 2011

Bird lived uptown and down, so each year around his birthday, two distinct zip codes get to enjoy an afternoon of improv in his honor. Saturday’s Harlem show boasts alto upstart Tia Fuller, harmonica virtuoso Toots Thielemans, and saxophone wrecking ball James Carter, one of those performers you just can’t take your eyes off. Sunday’s downtain counterpart brings a Carter forebear, Archie Shepp, to the stage. The program also makes way for the high-flying clarinet lines of Anat Cohen, and the gypsy shimmer of Madeleine Peyroux. Get there on time: Gerald Clayton’s wonderfully pliable piano trio is a must-see.

Sat., Aug. 27, 3 p.m., 2011