Be in the first audience for the inaugural ONE is the Water (Not the Fish) Improvised Music Festival, scheduled for three successive nights in October. Tapping new and original music, One is the Water features wicked jazz violinist Jesse Zubot with locals Chad Van Galen, Simon Fisk and others. Zubot, founder of his own record label, Drip Audio, is renowned for signing up new and progressive musicians. Look for that same progressiveness here as Zubot and company perform at Beat Niq from October 17 to 20. Things finish off with a jam at Broken City on October 20.

C-JAZZ launches the first of its Best of the Canadian Jazz Series this weekend with Vancouver’s George McFetridge Trio. McFetridge has worked with the likes of Pat LaBarbera and collaborated with saxman Mike Allen. LaBarbera is largely influenced by John Coltrane, and Allen is considered a noted improviser in that “Trane” style, so expect some of that sound at the Cantos gig on October 12, though McFetridge is also likely to feature many of his own compositions. Original ideas are natural to this musician who, like Zubot, established his own record label. Co-founder of Unity Records, McFetridge has been instrumental in the careers of other Canadian jazz mainstays like Mike Murley and Bernie Senensky. Tickets are available at the door for McFetridge, or from C-JAZZ by calling 802-4008.

Both Unity and Drip Audio have been on the scene for a few years, but if you’re looking for longevity, think of CKUA Radio, now celebrating its 80th birthday. What better way to celebrate an Alberta original than a jazz evening hosted by CKUA’s David Ward? Ward will emcee an evening featuring Penguins on Broadway at Quincy’s on 7th Ave. The Penguins, together since 1984, bring their own take on the big band sounds of the 1930s and ’40s, and they’re sure to deliver a fun, high energy performance for this birthday bash. Look for tickets at Megatunes.