JAMES FARM Featuring tenor saxophonist Joshua Redman, pianist Aaron Parks, bassist Matt Penman, and drummer Eric Harland, the collective James Farm plays instrumental music rife with improvisation. It’s jazz by just about any definition, but James Farm also borrows liberally from the moods and song forms of indie rock and adventurous pop. Tonight at 8. Tickets: $30-$42. Berklee Performance Center. 617-876-4275. www.worldmusic.org
BERNIE WORRELL AND SOCIALYBRIUM With prolific bassist Melvin Gibbs and drummer J.T. Lewis, keyboard wizard Worrell rejoins forces with a fellow Parliament-Funkadelic alum, guitarist Dwayne “Blackbyrd’’ McKnight, in SociaLybrium, a band that promiscuously fuses rock, funk, and jazz. Saturday, 1:45 p.m. Free. Natixis Global Asset Management Stage.
NEAL SMITH QUINTET A longtime member of pianist Cyrus Chestnut’s trio, drummer Neal Smith is also a skilled arranger and bandleader. He’s assembled a superlative cast of players, including vibraphonist Steve Nelson, tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, bassist David Williams, and irrepressibly swinging pianist Eric Reed. Saturday, 4:35 p.m. Free. Subaru of New England Stage.
DANILO PEREZ When the history of early-21st-century jazz is written, Perez will loom large indeed. He has mentored many of the music’s most resourceful young players, while crafting an expansive pan-American musical aesthetic. Perez performs with fellow Wayne Shorter bandmate John Patitucci on bass and longtime drummer Adam Cruz (with flutist Matt Marvuglio joining the trio on several numbers). Saturday, 8 p.m. Tickets: $25. Scullers. 617-562-4111. www.scullersjazz.com
