The Best Jazz Shows in New York City This Week 10/29/2012

Here’s a list of jazz shows happening in the city we think you’ll enjoy.

David Virelles
The young, Cuban-born pianist David Virelles celebrates the release of his new album, Continuum — a mysterious, chamber-like thing featuring the bassist Ben Street and the drummer Andrew Cyrille, among other musicians — this Tuesday at Drom. The music is influenced by the folklore of Virelles’s homeland. An after-party will feature DJ sets by Questlove and Tyondai Braxton.

Lee Konitz Quartet
The 85-year-old alto saxophonist Lee Konitz came to prominence in the 1950s at a time when Charlie Parker mimics were growing like kudzu. Konitz plays with a dry tone and a mellow sensibility, but his musical phrases can be quite powerful. He performs at Birdland Tuesday through Saturday with his quartet, including Florian Weber on piano, Jeff Denson on bass and Adam Kruz on drums.

John Zorn Halloween Improv Night
In the style of an old-fashioned rent party, the door money from this event, held at The Stone on Wednesday, goes in to cover monthly expenses for the East Village performance space. The line-up includes Joel Rubin on clarinet, James Moore on guitar, Sylvie Courvoisier on piano, Brian Chase on drums, James Ilgenfritz on bass and John Zorn himself on saxophone, among other special guests. Last week, I sent Zorn an email to see if the event would be Halloween-themed. “COME IN COSTUME!!” he replied.

Buika
The Spanish flamenco singer Concha Buika has a voice so smoky it could make jerky. The last time I saw her, she danced barefoot about the stage of Carnegie Hall, accompanied by the great Cuban pianist Chucho Valdés. She seemed completely at ease. Buika, who performs using only her last name, will appear at Blue Note this Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Other musicians to be announced.

Jane Monheit
Jane Monheit is a sassy singer with a soulful devotion to the great American songbook. She’ll take the stage this Saturday at the 92nd Street Y — as part of the 92Y Jazz series — joined by her trio of Michael Kanan on piano, Neal Miner on bass and Rick Montalbano on drums. The virtuoso violinist Mark O’Connor will appear as a special guest.