Three days of free concerts downtown on the Canal Greenway Stage at St. Clair Street.

Friday, Sept. 10, WICR Blues Before Dawn presents Harvey Cook & The Bluetones, 7 p.m.; Rodney Stepp Band, 9 p.m.

Legends Jazz, Saturday, Sept. 11, Brenda Williams, 2 p.m.; Michael Stricklin Quintet, 3:30 p.m.; Rob Dixon, 5 p.m.; Paula Hampton & Jazzberry Jam, 6:30 p.m.; Finnell Factor Band, 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 12, Kellen & Band, 2 p.m.; Monsalve & Perez Latin Jazz Project, 3:30 p.m.; Oliver Nelson Jr., 5 p.m.; Seven Pleasures, 6:30 p.m.; Pookie Johnson & The Indy Allstars, 8:30 p.m.

Food vendors will be on site.

Penrod, the multi-arts festival, fires up Saturday, Sept. 11 going from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Jazz Tent lineup, produced by Rizing Star Entertainment, features Larry Calland & Conga Jazz at 9 a.m.; Jan Aldridge Clark Quartet at 11 a.m.; Cathy Morris & Collage at 1 p.m.; Monika Herzig Acoustic Jazz Project with Chicago guest vocalist Leslie Byer at 3 p.m.

Last Friday and Saturday saw a couple of stellar performances by visiting jazz artists. Friday, veteran jazz pianist Roy Meriwether, supported by Frank Smith on bass and Kenny Phelps on drums, lit up the Madame Walker Center ballroom with a brilliant performance. Meriwether totally mesmerized the audience with his powerhouse gospel jazz and artistry. His fire and sensitive dynamics employing counter melody techniques demonstrated that he hasn’t lost any of his passion and luster. Meriwether ended the evening with a tour de force performance of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” weaving the musical’s themes effectively throughout his improvisation.

The Jazz Kitchen debuted a major new B-3 organ star when Tony Monaco burned away for two nights. The guy leaves no doubt he loves to play and loves to play the B-3. With his recording mates Robert Kraut on guitar and Louis Tsamous on drums, they launched off on “Rosetta” with Monaco pulling out all the stops, playing a great range of dynamics with a cooking groove. Monaco mixed his set with bebop, jump blues and slow groove blues in tribute to his B-3 idols Jimmy Smith and Jimmy McGriff. He was especially fiery playing McGriff’s jump blues version of “My Girl” with shouts, standing on the B-3 and swinging with a furious drive. Not a head or foot was still. Tony Monaco is a complete entertainer and showman, but above all a masterful B-3 organist.

Downtown
Chatterbox, 435 Massachusetts Ave. Friday, Sept. 10, pianist/vocalist Jeff DeHerdt Group. Saturday, Sept. 11, Keni Washington & Omniverse. Music 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Indianapolis Artsgarden, Illinois and Washington streets. Thursday, Sept. 9, free 12:15 p.m. concert by the Bruce Polson Trio.

Northside
Jazz Kitchen, 54th Street and College Avenue. Friday, Sept. 10, swinging, classy vocalist Mary Moss & Friends. Saturday, Sept. 11, acid jazz funk grooves of Seven Pleasures. Shows at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m.

Northeast
Eddie Merlot’s, 3645 E. 96th St. Friday, Sept. 10, vocals and keyboards from Lisa Baldwin with Steve Kinley on guitar, 7 to 11 p.m.

Southside
Smokehouse Cafe, County Line Road and Meridian Street. “Sunday Jazz Brunch” from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring The Impulse Trio.

Pauly’s Italian Restaurant, Southport Road and Highway 37. Saxophonist Sophie Faught & Maiden Voyage Wednesday, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Friday, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Westside
Kazablanka, 5801 Rockville Road. Fridays, saxophonist Tommy Wills “Jazz to Dance To,” 7 to 11 p.m.

Chuck Workman is the producer/host of the Sunday Morning Jazz Show at 107.9 WTPI.