Remember that scene in The Exorcist with Linda Blair's spinning head? You may feel like that this month with all the awesome jazz slated for Calgary venues. On Friday, November 6, for example, New York-based pianist, vocalist and composer Brenda Earle plays the Beat Niq to promote her latest CD, Songs for a New Day. Joining her for this gig are Calgary musicians Kodi Hutchinson (bass), John De Waal (drums) and John Reid (saxophone). The next night, plan to be at the Jack Singer for Juan de Marcos and the Afro-Cuban All-Stars. You just can't beat this set for the best in Cuban music: bandleader de Marcos, famed for his work with the Buena Vista Social Club, combined with the high energy All-Stars. The Juan de Marcos gig is only one of your downtown choices on November 7. There’s also Mark DeJong and his Outer Bridge Ensemble, playing at the Beat Niq. Joined by special guest Simon Fisk, this group is guaranteed to take listeners on a journey through free jazz and into pop, soul, avant garde and beyond. On November 13 and 14, The Jazz Is Society is bringing trumpeter Dean McNeill to Irene Besse Steinway Hall. McNeil, head of the department of music at the University of Saskatchewan, has composed and _arranged music for professional groups ranging from brass quintets and jazz combos to symphony orchestras. He's performed with The Banff Centre Jazz Orchestra, Vancouver Jazz Orchestra, Kenny Wheeler, Pat LaBarbera, P.J. Perry, Carol Welsman and Hugh _Fraser. McNeil will be joined in the Calgary gigs by John Reid, Sheldon Zandboer, John Hyde and John de Waal. _ That same weekend, there are two other major gigs in town. Blues legend John Mayall hits Bowness Hall with his Bluesbreakers on November 13. Mayall has influenced the careers of other legends like Eric Clapton and Mick Fleetwood; he's played with Jimi Hendrix, Albert King and more. What else can you say — do not miss this one! The other major gig that weekend is hosted by the Beat Niq. The Inhabitants, a Juno-nominated instrumental four-piece from Vancouver, features JP Carter, Dave Sikula, Pete Schmitt and Skye Brooks. They've recorded two albums for Jesse Zubot’s experimental Drip Audio label, and during a 2006 festival show in Germany, they were billed as "the most exciting new band in Canada." Plan to close out the month with a special performance at Royal Canadian Legion in Kensington featuring Calgary vocalists Sherry Kennedy, Deanna Dubbin and Cindy McLeod. Billed as A Musical Kickoff to Christmas, the three songstresses are performing as a salute to our troops and their families here at home. Kennedy, Dubbin and McLeod will be backed by Derek Stoll, Kai Poscente, Pat Belliveau, Steve Foster, Bob Erlendson and Simon Fisk at this November 22 gig.