Well, October is upon us. The leaves are starting to blossom into their annual color fest, the Sox are in the playoffs and the Pats are tearing up the NFL (so far, at least). A variety of CDs have landed on my desk, and a potpourri of jazz-related performances are coming up, so it’s time to get you folks caught up.

In the local/regional CD department, “Join the Club,” from pianist/composer/arranger Mark Shilansky, is a fine set of originals and re-cast standards featuring the leader’s imaginative soloing in the context of two different ensembles. Most of the music is set in a variety of Latin styles, as Shilansky and his cohorts lay down some danceable grooves. Highlights include a surging update of Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five,” a nice Latinized exploration of the standard “Alone Together” and the subtly humorous title cut. There are some fine solos from the large cast of contributors, with the burning saxophone work of Donny McCaslin and smooth sound of trombonist Jay Ashby reaching several high points. You can find “Join the Club” at www.cdbaby.com.

“Skylight” is the new release from the cooperative trio of bassist John Hunter, drummer Tim Gilmore and pianist Tom Robinson. Throughout this CD, the trio achieves a wonderful level of interplay—somewhat akin to that of the trios of pianists Keith Jarrett and Bill Evans—as they essay 10 original compositions. But, don’t be fooled. This is a group with its own distinctive sound and approach. Each player has a highly developed sense of melodic development that leads to several remarkable moments. This is as good as it gets in the piano trio format. For more info on “Skylight,” contact Tom Robinson at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

From the Boston area comes “No Place to Hide” from the New World Jazz Composers Octet. This is a remarkable recording of new music from a variety of Boston-based composers, including Ted Pease, Bob Pilkington and Ken Schaphorst. The music is played by a crack outfit that includes the incisive trumpet work of Ken Cervenka, the fine work of saxophonists Daniel Ian Smith and Daryl Lowery and the explosive rhythm section of bassist Keala Kaumeheiwa (one of the best in the northeast), drummer Steve Langone and percussionist Ricardo Monzon. “No Place to Hide” offers a fine example of medium sized jazz ensemble music that is refreshing and inspired. Visit www.danieliansmith.com for more info.

Several new national titles have come out, as well. Suffice it to say that all are exceptional to excellent and are highly recommended. “The Special,” from the Mitch Marcus Quintet (www.mitchmarcusmusic.com), swings and rocks with abandon. Tom Harrell’s “Light On” (Highnote Records) finds the trumpeter/composer exploring a variety of grooves and textures with an ensemble of young players, including dynamic saxophonist Wayne Escoffery. Saxophone ace Joe Lovano joins 89-year-old pianist Hank Jones for the stunning duo recording “Kids: Live at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola” on Blue Note. Drummer Antonio Sanchez shows his straight-ahead side on the burning “Migration” on the Cam Jazz label, with guest turns from guitarist Pat Metheny, keyboardist Chick Corea and the excellent core group of saxophonists Chris Potter and David Sanchez and bassist Scott Colley.

Speaking of Potter, his new “Follow the Red Line,” featuring his Underground Quartet recorded live at the Village Vanguard (Sunnyside Records), is a lively and provocative set. Jazz master pianist McCoy Tyner offers a typically explosive live set on “McCoy Tyner Quartet,” with Lovano, bassist Christian McBride and drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts, on the McCoy Tyner Music/Half Note label. Saxophonist Jimmy Greene offers a superb contemporary update of the classic two tenor sax/rhythm setting on “Gifts and Givers” (Criss Cross), as he locks horns with equally fiery saxophonist Marcus Strickland on a variety of standards and originals, including an imaginative re-working of Sonny Stitt’s “Eternal Triangle.”

Finally, “Mondo Trio,” from Jeff Babko (Abstract Logix, www.abstractlogix.com), offers a joyfully outrageous take on the classic organ trio setting, as the Jimmy Kimmel Show keyboardist is joined by saxophonist Jeff Coffin (Bela Fleck & the Flecktones) and drum giant Vinnie Colaiuta for some adventurous and slightly off-center takes on a program of originals. It rocks, it swings and it’s a lot of fun to hear, especially Colaiuta, who gets to cut loose in a big way.

Some upcoming jazz shows to check out include vocal master Sheila Jordan, performing in the UNH Traditional Jazz Series on Monday, Oct. 15, with a quartet that includes creative trumpeter Dave Ballou. The show begins at 8 p.m. at the Johnson Theatre in the Paul Creative Arts Center in Durham. This Friday evening, Oct. 12, Avant Coast offers another concert at the Lotus Rising Studio at the Salmon Falls Mills in Rollinsford, featuring African drum ensemble Fote and the collective quartet CAMERA4. Sunday Jazz at The Press Room, in Portsmouth, will feature the quartet of bassist Josh Davis this Sunday, Oct. 14, trombonist extraordinaire Jeff Galindo on Oct. 21 and a CD release party with violinist Joel Glassman and vocalist Lynda Wright on Oct. 28.

Meanwhile, the new place in town to hear terrific jazz is The Wet Bar, located below The Page on Hanover Street in Portsmouth. The Wednesday night series will feature Equal Time on Oct. 24. This is a fine new place for live music in town, so let’s lend the venue strong support.

Finally, the lecture series “Looking at Jazz: America’s Art Form” continues at the McConnell Center on Locust Street in Dover at 2 p.m. this Sunday, Oct. 14. Sponsored by the UNH Dimond Library and the Seacoast Jazz Society, the next free lecture will focus on the swing era, with series moderator Paul Verrette.