The leader of Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe and a charter member of the Greyboy Allstars is bringing the Karl Denson Jazz Trio to the Stone Church in Newmarket on Friday.

Karl Denson is as soulful and dynamic a saxophonist as they come. In addition, KD3 features Anthony Smith on organ and keyboards and Brett Sanders on drums. The trio seeks to make a bold statement about the past, present and future of jazz through its music.

“We’ll be playing a lot of older originals of mine, as well as some new things I’ve written for this group,” Denson says. “We’re also playing some standard tunes as well as some tunes by Joe Henderson, Thelonious Monk and others.”

The project is one that has been on Denson’s mind for a while.

“This is something I’ve been anxious to do for the last couple of years,” Denson says. “I felt the need for a musical challenge and to try to clear my head in the process of finishing the next Tiny Universe record. Playing jazz is always a wake-up call, but even more so in a small group setting. You have to be a lot steadier as a player and as an artist.”

Yet those who have come to know the leader’s proclivity for playing dance-oriented music will not be disappointed. Denson remains committed to his vision of jazz dance music.

“I’ve always been interested in exploring where jazz came from such as the bars, speakeasies and clubs where people used to go to dance to jazz,” Denson says. “So I like the idea of the music creating an atmosphere where people can dance and have fun. I think of the great Miles Davis albums, like Relaxin’ and Cookin’ where the music is both creative and danceable. That’s a part of the perspective we bring with this trio.”

The KD3 will remind us all that jazz can be fun and danceable at The Stone Church on Friday at 9 p.m.

Keyboard player Matt Jenson’s curiosity has led him into a variety of musical contexts, blending jazz with reggae, funk and Latin elements. Sometimes you don’t know what to expect when this provocative musician shows up to play. This Saturday is an exception, as Jenson brings his long-running Latin group Combo Sabroso to the Press Room in Portsmouth for an evening of soul-cleansing Latin dance music. Saxophonist Matt Langley lends his usual highly creative playing to the proceedings and the band will also feature special guest percussionist Omar Ledezema. It’s hard to sit still when this exceptional band gets its groove going, so bring your dancin’ shoes for this one. The music gets underway at 9 p.m.

While on summer break from his studies at the New England Conservatory, Nate Wilson has been out touring with the Assembly of Dust, among other projects. Over the next few weeks, Wilson will also be touring with a new group that features guitarist Steve Kimock and AOD members Adam Terrell on guitar and John Lecesse on bass. Rounding out the group is Boston-based drummer Tom Arey, an exceptional player worth checking out, and the always dynamic percussive groove-meister Yahuba Garcia. The band is focusing on material from the Percy Hill book, as well as some newer originals and choice covers. Look for them at The Stone Church on Saturday, Aug 5.

In case you missed it, Jose Duque’s Zumba Tres played The Press Room on July 10, laying down their infectious Latin groove-oriented tunes. Sitting in was a remarkable percussionist form Portland name Annagrette Baier, who added perfect percussive colors to the music all night long. And on July 16 at The Press Room, Charlie Kohlhase and his Explorer’s Club offered up an evening of simmering free-bop jazz, with Kohlhase and Matt Langley playing fiery and exploratory saxophone solos and guest trumpeter Jerry Sabatini contributing some equally impressive work that had a nice contrasting and lyrical quality, all propelled by the ferocious double drum attack of Chris Punis and Nicky Matsuki. To my ears, it was one of the finest nights of jazz at The Press Room in a long time.