1. ANDY STATMAN TRIO
Carnegie Lecture Hall, Nov. 19

Calliope: The Pittsburgh Folk Music Society continues to be a guiding light for preserving and promoting all things folk -- folk in the form of roots music with names like bluegrass, acoustic blues, old-time fiddling and Appalachian string band music. But Statman treated guests to folk music in the form of a seamless amalgamation of jazz, bluegrass and klezmer. (N.G.)

2. AL DIMEOLA
Mr. Small's Theatre, Oct. 1

The material of the former Return to Forever guitarist is hard to conceive, let alone play or even follow, but DiMeola's backing group was more than up to the task and with the leader switching off between electric and acoustic. Mr. Small's, originally a church, became a worship center of a different sort as early-'70s fusion, at least for that night, returned with a vengeance. (R.N.)

3. SPYRO GYRA
Manchester Craftmen's Guild, Dec. 8.

Jay Beckenstein and company represent one of just three 1970s-era "fusion" bands, Hiroshima and Pieces of a Dream the others, still kicking after all these years, but despite its regular appearances on the pop charts and resultant popularity back in the day, it has never changed its approach, melding its jazz base with heavy helpings of Latin and funk. The band proved versatile enough to transform "Freetime," recorded as slow-driving funk, into double-time swing and recall South Africa with "On Liberty Road." (R.N.)

4. TERENCE BLANCHARD
Manchester Craftmen's Guild, Oct. 13

There's a characteristic moment in all of Terence Blanchard's performances. Sometimes it's a small thing, a flashing nugget, like the night of his performance with his sextet when he boiled "Wandering Wonder" until all that remained was a rapid sequence of notes that he repeated with brilliance for a couple of minutes. Much of the evening focused on music from "Flow," Blanchard's latest recording. Produced by Herbie Hancock, "Flow" is conceptually outstanding and futuristic. (N.G.)

5. PITT JAZZ SEMINAR AND CONCERT
Carnegie Music Hall, Nov. 5

The annual Pitt Jazz concert, perhaps because of its established jazz program and jazz studies director Dr. Nathan Davis' ability to assemble the right mix of performers, always seems to be a high mark of the year. This year's event was no exception. The music evolved out of a traditional context, with the musicians breaking into smaller groups and coming together to spark some full-ensemble fire. (N.G.)

6. DIZZY GILLESPIE ALL-STAR BIG BAND
Manchester Craftmen's Guild, Sept. 30.

The beauty of this concert was not so much in the unfamiliar musical landscapes the band explored as it was the sophistication and mastery of the music by an entourage of first-rate players. Performing music associated with John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie, as well as those written and arranged by drummer Dennis Mackrel and saxophonist Jimmy Heath and others, the band entranced the audience with songs that transcended the boundaries of time and style. (N.G.)

7. MARIAN MCPARTLAND AND PAT MARTINO DUO
Manchester Craftmen's Guild, Nov. 10

McPartland and Martino sharing the same bill is enough to energize anyone with a jazz pulse. And true enough, they dazzled the audience with bristling melodies and quick-changing improvisational ideas. The opening set began with the British-born McPartland performing with her trio, consisting of bassist Gary Mazzaroppi and drummer Glen Davis. After performing a couple of songs by Duke Ellington, McPartland played Ivan Lin's "Velas" then Ornette Coleman's "Ramblin," which was dissonant but "not too dangerous," she quipped.

Martino demonstrated why he is considered one of the best. His guitar lines are soulful and melodic, and he has an endless supply of improvisational ideas. (N.G.)

8. CHRIS BOTTI
Hartwood Acres, July 31

The pre-concert atmosphere was perfect -- a steamy summer night with wine and jazz -- and the trumpeter certainly cooperated. Botti's material mostly comprised reworked standards from his then-latest CD "When I Fall in Love" but with the electronic moodiness that has become his trademark. Drummer Billy Kilson nearly stole the show at the end on "Why Not." (R.N.)

9. GEORGE BENSON
Heinz Hall, June 17

Unlike his last local appearance in 2000 during which he did mostly pop material, the hometown boy concentrated on jazz this evening. It was great to hear selections from his breakout album "Breezin' " sound pretty much like the record, as he did have the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra behind him. But while Benson was his energetic, entertaining self, I found the overall sound muddy and had a hard time hearing longtime bassist Stanley Banks, which is why I didn't have this concert rated higher. (R.N.)

10. EARL KLUGH TRIO
Manchester Craftsmen's Guild, June 17

The Atlanta-based acoustic guitarist native to Detroit went "back to basics" at the Guild in an all-acoustic setting for the first time in 15 years. If you were hoping for such lite-jazz fare as "Midnight in San Juan," "Soda Fountain Shuffle" and "Sudden Burst of Energy," you would have been disappointed, as Klugh instead offered mostly standards. Fortunately he, bassist Scott Glazer and drummer Yonrico Scott didn't waste their time and the audience's money playing long, self-indulgent solos. Klugh also did a few selections from his latest solo album, "Naked Guitar," released in August. (R.N.)