Imagine a jazz cocktail mixing innovation, cutting edge and education. Shake well, add awesome out-of-town talent and some solid locals, then feature them at more intimate venues. You’ve described some of the best gigs in May.

Next week, for example, a legendary performer/educator takes the stage, backed by locals Andrew Glover (piano), Rubim de Toledo (bass), and Sandro Dominelli (drums). New Yorker Jay Clayton, described by Fred Bouchard of Jazz Times as “precariously on the cutting edge,” is an awesome jazz vocalist, one of the first singers to mix poetry and electronics in her improvisations, and one of the first to record John Cage’s avant-garde vocal music. Clayton’s teaching and performing is truly international, from gigs at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, Jazz Alley, and the Montmartre Festival, to teaching at Universitat fur Musik in Austria, City College and the New School in New York, as well as the Banff Centre. Catch this amazing world-class talent at the Centre for Positive Living on May 23.

On May 30 you’ll be able to catch the one-night-only gig of Vancouver- based pianist Sharon Minemoto. This musician, composer and educator formed her first group in 1997, and wowed fans with recordings for CBC Radio, and a first CD with her original quintet that spent eight weeks in the top 10 for the Canadian national jazz and blues charts. When she hits Calgary this month with her new trio, they’ll feature their 2008 debut CD You Can See the Ocean From Here. Minemoto, backed by Paul Rushka (bass) and Paul Townsend (drums) will showcase her own compositions and her take on standards and pop tunes. Catch her gig at the Beat Niq.

By month’s end you should be feeling the jazz energy building in the city. Heads up—it’s just a few weeks before the Calgary Jazz Festival hits stages all over town. At 30 years old this June, the 2009 fest will boast major out-of-towners like Allen Toussaint and Medeski, Martin and Wood. Now add other heavies like Branford Marsalis, Jimmy Cobb, King Sunny Ade and The Monterey Quartet featuring Dave Holland, Chris Potter, Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Eric Harland. The list goes on and on, and that isn’t even including our major local talent. Watch for it; wait for it: the Calgary Jazz Fest coming June 22 to 28.