Boston gears up for Jazz Week

One marquee performance of Boston's Jazz Week April 26-May 4 has a certain retro, beatnik sound to it, although it's being held at Berklee Performance Center and not a basement dive. Somebody will be wearing a beret, though, when U.S. Poet Laureate (and BU faculty member) Robert Pinsky takes the stage to read some of his works accompanied by drummer Rakalam Bob Moses. Remember, snap your fingers to applaud.

That should be a highlight of the May 3 "Kaleidoscopic View of Boston Jazz" benefit concert for the JCMC Educational Outreach Program at Northeastern, the New England Conservatory Community Performances and Partnerships Program, and the Berklee College of Music City Music Program. Young musicians from the Berklee program will play when the Berklee City Music All-Stars Quintet takes the stage.

Also included in the week's festivities are seminars on jazz past and future at the BPL, and performances all over town, including: Jason Palmer Collective, Apr. 26, May 2, Wally’s; Sheryl Bailey, Apr. 29 andEguie Castrillo & Orchestra, May 2, at Regattabar; Miguel Zenon, May 1, Center for Latino Arts; Rachel Price, May 1, and Najee, May 2-3, at Scullers; and the Grace Kelly Quartet, May 2, Jazz in the Square, Roslindale. On may 3, Bob Blumenthal will sign his new book, "Jazz: An Introduction to the History and Legends Behind America’s Music," at the Copley Square store.

Details on all these fab events and many more are here.