A fortuitous week for cool cats who dig jazz

Diana Krall is in town two nights, but it's a hot week for jazz all around. Here are some highlights:

Charlie Hunter: The San Francisco guitarist has a fine new album, "Mistico," featuring the keyboards of Erik Deutsch and drums of Simon Lott (both on this gig), which explores the "cheesy" electronic sounds and cool grooves you might expect from Medeski, Martin & Wood. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. today-Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, Seattle; $22.50 (206-441-9729 or www.jazzalley.com).

Tower of Power, with David Sanborn: Rockin' soul horns with Sanborn's keening, bluesy alto sax on top. 7 p.m. Saturday, Tulalip Amphitheatre, Tulalip; $40-$60 (360-651-1111 or www.tulalipamphitheatre.com).

Andy Palacio and the Garifuna Collective: Singer-guitarist Palacio is from Belize, where his Garifuna Collective plays the music of Africa as transformed in the Caribbean. 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, Seattle; $22.50 (206-441-9729 or www.jazzalley.com)

Greta Matassa Quartet: The popular Seattle vocalist celebrates the release of her new album, "The Smiling Hour" (Origin). 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, The Triple Door, Seattle, $13-$15 (206-838-4333 or www.thetripledoor.net).

Roberta Gambarini: One of the most outstanding new vocalists on the scene, Gambarini has an uncanny, liquid quality to her phrasing that sets her apart from her main influence, Ella Fitzgerald. Her sometime accompanist Hank Jones said last summer he had not been as excited by a singer since he played with Ella herself. The wonderful pianist Gerald Clayton is also on this gig. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Dimitriou's Jazz Alley; $21.50 (206-441-9729 or www.jazzalley.com).

Kelley Johnson: One of Seattle's most compelling and original jazz singers. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sherman Clay Piano Store, Bellevue; $6-$12 (425-454-0633 or www.eastside-jazz-club.netfirms.com).

Jazz: The Second Century: A great double bill sponsored by Earshot Jazz. Up first is the always creative Seattle cellist Paul Rucker, with Steve Hudson, piano; Leena Gilbert, violin; Mustafa Bhagat, sitar; Stephen Chopek and David Freeman, drums and percussion. The other group is a trio led by electronics/percussion man Andrew Schloss, who divides his time between Seattle and Victoria, Canada, with Toronto-based Cuban pianist Hilario Duran and violist Irene Mitrio. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Chapel Performance Space, Good Shepherd Center, Seattle; $8-$10 (206-547-6763 or www.earshot.org).

The Roy Hargrove Quintet: One of the top straight-ahead players in jazz, trumpeter and flugelhorn player Hargrove is all business, whether he's careening through a crazy groove or slowing your heart to a stop with a ballad. His new drummer, Montez Coleman, is particularly fine. Pianist Gerald Clayton and alto saxophonist Justin Robinson also keep the fire sizzling. Set times vary, Thursday-Aug. 19, Dimitriou's Jazz Alley; $24.50 (206-441-9729 or www.jazzalley.com).

— Paul de Barros, Seattle Times jazz critic