Except for a few shows, it was a relatively uneventful year for jazz and world music concerts, especially when you consider that Dave Holland and Ibrahim Ferrer, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Dianne Reeves all helped to make 2003 one of the most memorable years in some time.

What follows are the highlights of 2004:

1. WYNTON MARSALIS
Benedum Center, May 3

Several things came into focus during trumpeter Wynton Marsalis' concert. First, he's not as musically rigid and archival as he's made out to be. Second, he has absolute command of his instrument, capable of communicating difficult musical ideas with simplicity. And finally, he's gracious and complimentary. At no time during the nearly two-hour concert was that more evident than when he allowed three Indiana, Pa., high school students perform with him on "Twelve's It." Marsalis told the audience he'd never encountered a rhythm section of young players as good as these students.

Marsalis and his quartet, which featured drummer Ali Jackson, bassist Carlos Henriquez and pianist Eric "Top Professor" Lewis, spotlighted music from "The Magic Hour," Marsalis' Blue Note debut. (Guidry)

2. TAKE 6
Nov. 12, Allegheny Center Alliance Church

Arguably the world's premier a cappella gospel group with a touch of jazz and hip-hop, members of the sextet said afterward that they wanted to return to ACAC soon. They show what can be done with just their voices and six microphones, including simulating percussion instruments; I'd seen the group twice before and completely forgot about that. Their rendition of Miles Davis' "All Blues" was by itself worth the price of admission. (Nowlin)

3. PITT JAZZ SEMINAR AND CONCERT
Carnegie Music Hall, Oakland. Nov. 6

The 34th annual autumn University of Pittsburgh jazz concert featuring saxophonist Nathan Davis and guest stars was one of the best in recent memory. New or infrequent guests (including saxophonist Donald Harrison, trumpeter Lew Soloff and bassist George Mraz), bravura soloing and strong arrangements navigated with better-than-usual precision lifted this concert above the norm. Now if only they'd cut the intermission and the speeches ... (King)

4. BRIAN AUGER'S OBLIVION EXPRESS
May 28, Moondog's

It's mostly a family band now, with British-born Hammond organ titan Auger bringing two of his children along for the ride. I never got to see the group during its heyday in the 1970s, but it pulled out several of its bigger hits from that period -- "Brain Damage," "Straight Ahead," its cover of Wes Montgomery's "Bumpin' On Sunset" -- to remind us of how contemporary instrumental music used to sound before radio bean-counters got a hold of it. (Nowlin)

5. AHMAD JAMAL
Manchester Craftmen's Guild, Oct. 1

Being a virtuoso in jazz is defined by one's ability to innovate and improvise -- that aptitude for creating or appearing to create spontaneous musical ideas that connect melodies with harmonies and rhythms. That helps explain why East Liberty pianist Ahmad Jamal always is reinventing himself through his music, with each concert and recording revealing something different. It must be fun working with Jamal, too. His trio, which featured James Cammack and drummer Idris Muhammad, were given plenty of solo opportunities, and Jamal appeared to revel in their enthusiasm. The concert was part of the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters program. Each year, on the basis of nominations submitted by the public, the NEA selects a number of living legends to be Jazz Masters in recognition of their contributions to music. (Guidry)

6. MEDESKI, MARTIN & WOOD
June 12, Three Rivers Arts Festival)

Not too many jam bands can keep from sounding self-indulgent and thus lose their audience, but these guys, using vintage electric keyboards, pulled it off. Judging from the large numbers of 20- and 30-somethings in the audience, and especially their reactions, they got exactly what they came for. (Nowlin)

7. THE URBAN JAZZ VIOLIN PLAYERS, FEATURING RODNEY MCCOY, GERALD DAEMYON AND MIKE WARD
Oct. 2, Crawford Grill, Station Square

The only thing dull about this concert was its name; when I bought my tickets I suggested to McCoy that they rename themselves "Funky Fiddlers" or something like that. The New Orleans-based Ward, who missed their very first gig last year at the now-defunct James Street Restaurant due to a canceled flight, stole the show. (Nowlin)

8. TOM SCOTT (BEBOP-UNITED)
Manchester Craftmen's Guild, Dec. 9

There were a few savored moments during the concert -- the "major" and "minor" exchanged between trombonist Jay Ashby and trumpeter Randy Brecker on "His Eyes, Her Eyes," a wonderful arrangement culled from the movie "The Thomas Crown Affair," and the incredible technique displayed by Phil Woods on "Souls," a heartfelt ballad boiled down with pearly lyricism.

Every time I hear Woods, I can't help think that he's one of the greatest musicians (alto saxophonist or not) that I've ever heard live. Few people can say what he says the way he does. While each musician met the music's technical challenges, providing cogent and contrasting solos, there was not enough sustained ensemble interplay. (Guidry)

9. STEVE SMITH AND BUDDY'S BUDDIES
Feb. 27, Dowe's on 9th

It was a bit jarring to hear a five-piece band do big-band-style arrangements, with the two saxophonists playing counterpoint lines at times. But the musicianship with this Buddy Rich tribute band was top-notch, and drummer Smith just kept things moving along. (Nowlin)

10. CHICAGO/EARTH, WIND FIRE
June 23, Post-Gazette Pavilion

Of course this really wasn't jazz, but some of the players from both bands know the genre well. It's great to see bands with this much talent join together. (Nowlin)