November's jazz lineup may make you forget these colder temps. On Friday, November 19, for example, Beat Niq will feature The Marco Claveria Project in a special CD release performance — it’s bound to raise a few temperatures.

Chilean-born Claveria delivers a vibrant mix of Chilean folk music and Cuban-Latin rhythms. That’s no surprise, considering he was a founding member of Bomba and has opened for the likes of Cubanismo and Mayra Valdez. Claveria is renowned for his Cuban-style singing and skills on the tres, a guitar-like instrument with three double strings. These are talents he’s developed since the mid-’90s when he studied with some of Cuba's legendary musicians. But this gig is more than that: Expect a big fiery sound, with Claveria backed by the heavy-duty percussion of Rene Abaunza on congas, Israel Israel "Toto" Berriel playing cajon, bongos and congas, and Luis "El Pana" on drums and timbales. Further, look forward to some exceptional work from Keith Rempel on acoustic and electric bass, Frankie Hidalgo handling the piano and Alessandro Cortez on saxophones.

Bassist Rubim de Toledo keeps the heat up November 26 and 27, also at Beat Niq, at an event titled A Night of Bossa Nova and Brazilian Jazz. Rubim's third solo album, The River, was nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award in the best jazz recording category. He's also well-known to fans of Decidedly Jazz Danceworks. In Calgary, he'll be joined by Aldo Aguirre on violin, Chris Andrew on piano and Tyler Hornby on drums. Add Brazilian master percussionist Malcolm Lim and jazz vocalist Allison Lynch to the mix, and you have a perfect evening exploring the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Joao Gilberto, Hermeto Pascoal, Egberto Gismonti and many others.

Now, let's think about December for a moment. Since it's Christmas season, mark your calendar for the Our Jazz Noel gig at River Park Church. On Saturday, December 11, some of the finest in Canadian jazz — and one legendary American jazz musician — will celebrate the season together. This is your opportunity to see PJ Perry (saxophones), Neil Swainson (bass), Terry Clark (drums) and California native Bill Mays (piano). Mays will lead the ensemble, and solo performances of classical and jazz compositions, with performances including pieces from Rodgers and Hammerstein, Claude Debussy and Tchaikovsky — and that’s not mentioning songs by jazz standards such as Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk. It happens at River Park Church, which means good acoustics, great seating and ample parking. Could you ask for more?

If you're keen on jazz standards, then December at the Ironwood is also a sure bet. The Springbank Big Band gigs there on Sunday, December 5 with a repertoire stocked with Basie and Ellington swing tunes, jazz standards, even dance hits of the ’60s and ’70s. Formed in 1998, the members of this amateur 20-piece big band are comprised of parents of children in the Springbank area Middle School. They rehearse every week under the leadership of Calgary jazz saxophonist John Reid, and they are not to be missed. This is their third gig at the Ironwood, and the timing should fit with your weekend schedule. Slated for 2 p.m., it'll be a welcome break in your holiday shopping season.