Jazz fans will have the blues this Saturday night. They've got two concerts to choose from, but the trouble is they're both at 8 p.m., and in different places.

Russ Weil's Hamilton All Star Jazz Band takes the stage at Redeemer University College, 777 Garner Rd. E., Ancaster, for a Big Band Blues concert. As the title implies, there'll be plenty of blues, and more.

Tunes like Rob McConnell's arrangement of Antonio Jobim's No More Blues, the Brecker Brothers' Blue Montreux, Matt Catingub's Blues and the Abscessed Tooth, plus Blood, Sweat & Tears' blues version of God Bless the Child. HASJB vocalist Kaila Campisi will be singing the blues, specifically, Travelin' Blues, and Everyday I Have the Blues.

Weil, whose HASJB revisited material from Duke Ellington's 1954 Hamilton Forum gig at last year's spring concert, has dug up a couple of the Duke's early charts, Blue Serge and Blue Ramble.

They aren't based on a blues progression, but as Weil said, "you have to have poetic licence to plan a program." Yup, especially if the set list also contains On Green Dolphin Street. "Green is a shade of blue," quipped Weil.

In addition to these blues related numbers, there'll be a solo spot by HASJB pianist Jordan Milko honouring the late Oscar Peterson. "We thought we'd take a moment just to reflect upon Oscar's contributions to Canadian and world jazz while Jordan plays through Hymn to Freedom," said Weil.

Tickets for the show, which will also feature the HASJB's two feeder bands plus MC Bob Bratina, are $20. There are discounts for large groups. Call 905-648-6675.

Peterson had been an honorary patron of the HASJB for 13 years, though never heard them play. The HASJB has two other honorary patrons, former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Lincoln Alexander, and jazz clarinet great Phil Nimmons.

Weil had asked Nimmons to attend the concert and share his personal and musical memories of Peterson, but Nimmons declined. Why? Nimmons is booked to play with pianist David Braid at St. James Anglican, 137 Melville St., Dundas, for Mark Thompson's Cleary Classic Concerts series exactly while Weil and crew will be playing the blues.

Braid and Nimmons first played together four years ago on this same series, and released a CD of the event. Since then, they've done 20 to 25 such duo concerts across Canada, and plan to release an indie compilation CD soon.

Their duo gigs are noteworthy in that they're completely spontaneous, with not a standard in earshot, and no rehearsal beforehand. This will truly be a bona fide night of improvisation by two of Canada's best jazzers.

"I usually let him take the slight lead," said Braid of his spontaneous collaborations with Nimmons. "I like the challenge of having him throw a bunch of ideas together and I have to sew them into the harmony and the rhythm. If you think of a martial arts match, he's usually the one who makes the first move. After that it's totally interactive."

Nimmons, who turns 85 this June, is 52 years Braid's senior.

During the past few years, his appearances have been limited solely to duo projects with Braid. "It's such a great opportunity and honour," said Braid of his gigs with Nimmons. "I've seen him do amazing things. Impossible things like having a 10-hour travel day, starting a set at midnight and playing nonstop until 2 a.m., and his energy is building. He's got some kind of special creative battery," joked Braid.

While Nimmons's creative battery is running 100 per cent, lately his back has been giving him the deep, hurtin' blues. So, just in case, Braid has his other duo partner on standby, cellist Matt Brubeck (yes, he's Dave Brubeck's son). Tickets are $25, student/senior $22. Call 905-627-4265 or 905-528-4508.

The Daedalus Quartet, grand prize winners at the 2001 Banff International String Quartet Competition, lands at the Hamilton Conservatory, 126 James St. S., on Sunday at 2 p.m. They'll play works by Beethoven, Horne, and Brahms. Tickets are $27, senior $22, student $10. Call 905-528-5628.

For those opposed to the CBC's decision to eliminate the CBC Radio Orchestra this November, there is an online petition at www.savecbcorchestra.com.

Leonard Turnevicius writes on classical music for The Spectator.

leonardturnevicius@hotmail.com