Cost $15 each night except November 5 (free)

What to expect: This fourth annual fest takes place across the city at some of the main venues for jazz and improvised music, and features an all-star lineup of local and international musicians.

Why to go: The free opening-night event at the Cultural Center should be a blast with several European jazz musicians. But don't count out the sets at Elastic (November 6), Hideout (November 7) and Hungry Brain (November 8).

The schedule:

Thursday, November 5
Chicago Cultural Center (free)
6 p.m.: Liudas Mockunas Quartet (Lithuania)
6:45 p.m.: Martin Brandlmayr (Austria)
7:30 p.m.: David Stackenas Trio (Sweden)
8:15 p.m.: Gratkowski/Kaufmann/De Joode (Germany)
9 p.m.: Hans Koch Quartet (Switzerland) 10 p.m.: Guus Janssen Trio (Netherlands)

Friday, November 6
Elastic Arts Foundation ($15 requested donation)
9 p.m.: New Horizons Quartet
10 p.m.: Matthew Shipp
11 p.m.: Roscoe Mitchell

Saturday, November 7
Hideout ($15)
9 p.m.: Vox Arcana
10 p.m.: People Places and Things w/Bobby Bradford
11 p.m.: Sakata/Parker/McBride/Herndon

Sunday, November 8
Hungry Brain ($15 suggested donation)
9 p.m.: Head With Wings
10 p.m.: Akira Sakata & Chikamorachi
11 p.m.: Topology: The compositions of Joe McPhee, arranged by Ken Vandermark for nonet, featuring special guest Joe McPhee