Here's a jazz horoscope for September: Count your successes, build on your past and create something new. Unlike most horoscopes, though, this one's on its way to actualization in Calgary.

No, seriously. Two week ago, Beat Niq launched its 2010 membership gala. Two weeks from now, the Calgary Jazz Orchestra — still one of the hottest tickets in town — will enter its sixth season. And this weekend, we can look forward to a new CD release from homegrown jazz vocalist Mary Boyes. If that isn't enough, by month's end one of the finest internationally renowned jazz pianists — Andrzej Jagodinski, traveling all the way from Poland — brings his trio to town.

With all these happenings, however, it’s hard to believe that the Beat Niq was in danger of closing down a year ago. But over the last 12 months, it’s renewed itself, and built on past successes. And that’s not just lip service: If the lineup for last weekend’s gala is any indication, the venue has cemented its ties with the who’s who in Calgary jazz. Indeed, from September 8 to 11, the club hosted Cumako, Hazel Proctor, Al Muirhead, Johnny Summers, Bob Erlendson, Cindy McLeod and Tyler Hornby. And we could go on.

But then, there are the emerging artists, Mary Boyes included. A native Calgarian, Boyes is set to launch her newest CD, Waters of March. Having spent the last 10 years honing her jazz skills — training with the likes of Sheila Jordan in the process — she brings her interpretations of jazz standards, pop tunes and bossa nova to her upcoming release. She’ll be testing her tunes at the Beat Niq on Thursday, September 16 and Friday, September 17, backed by Keith Smith (guitar), Derek Stoll (piano), Simon Fisk (bass) and Robin Tufts (drums).

Sticking with Beat Niq, mark Friday, September 24 on your calendar for a little bit of that international jazz flavour. Andrzej Jagodzinski's trio swoops in for one night only, and he’s one of the best jazz pianists in Poland, influenced by the likes of Herbie Hancock and Keith Jarrett. A graduate from Warsaw’s Frederic Chopin Institute, Calgary’s yet another notch in his passport, having toured the Middle East, Europe and North America extensively.

Finally, on Sunday, September 26, the Calgary Jazz Orchestra — one of the town’s most enduring and exciting institutions — will launch its packed lineup of concerts for 2010-2011. Founded in 2004 by trumpet player Johnny Summers, the orchestra’s newest season promises to be as exciting as its previous six iterations. Described in its press releases as “spontaneous, energetic and fun,” we’re not inclined to disagree: Its lineup will feature the music of Oscar Peterson, Charles Mingus, Frank Sinatra and Duke Ellington. Its launch isn’t to be missed, and stay tuned for a bevy of concerts happening at River Park Church between the months of September and April.