JEREMY BAUM TRIO
JUNE 3. Keyboardist Baum's affinity for the Hammond organ sound can no longer be viewed as a gimmick or novelty. Baum, the son of a New Windsor piano teacher and jazzman, called on Poughkeepsie's Mike Torsone for a cut-down Hammond B2, the road version of the classic B3. Since then his song-writing and band-leading skills have propelled Baum into a well-respected proponent of his craft. Catch him at Oasis Cafe, where it all began, for funk standards and cuts from his Lost River Jams CD. 10PM. $4. New Paltz. (845) 255-2400.
www.jeremybaum.com

THE JAMHOGS
JUNE 5. You have to love a band like the Jamhogs, who unabashedly pay tribute to their elders with original songs so good they sound like covers. More than just a jam band, the 'Hogs feed on Neil Young, CSNY and Duane Allman with never a trace of slop. Featuring Rick, host of WDST's "Woodstock Jams" on vocals, the Jamhogs (in a rare acoustic show) belly up the stage at Hyde Park Brewing for one night of all-natural sounds and suds. 8PM. $5. Hyde Park. (845) 229-8277.
www.hydeparkbrewing.com

MARK MARINOFF TRIO
JUNE 9. The term "free jazz" has varied definitions, but it can be broadly defined as an approach to playing without boundaries, sometimes without written music at all. Reed player/percussionist Mark Marinoff comes to mind not only for his range of instrumentation, but for his eclectic discography. Marinoff's played with big-beat masters The Chemical Brothers, Mercury Rev, and Robert Mann's Afro-Cuban outfit OmU. When not the traveling virtuoso, Marinoff releases stylized CDs of jazz and meditation music. From the New Directions in Jazz series at the Uptown (June 3) Marinoff then touches down at the earthy Cubbyhole Coffeehouse with Eric Hobson on guitar and Raissa St. Pierre on drums for "jazz with a Spanish-Jewish tinge." 8PM. $5. Poughkeepsie. (845) 483-7584.

THE TRAPPS/EMILY CURTIS/AVALON GREY
JUNE 12. The Colony Cafe presents a hat-trick of the region's brightest musical performers. Singer-songwriter Curtis has blossomed into a mature, stage-ready artist with a fan base from New York City to the Berkshires. The Trapps, recently featured on WVKR and WDST, have ascended quickly, and not just because they're named after a popular Shawangunk ridge. Hot newcomers Avalon Grey pulse with graceful tunes, tight rhythms and the lush beauty of frontwoman Kristin Hjeltnes on guitar, violin, and lead vocals. 8PM. $10. Woodstock. 679-5342.
www.colonycafe.com

ANNA CHEEK
JUNE 25. This refreshing singer-songwriter stands on her own for many reasons, notably as a classically-trained pianist with a unique, earthy vocal-ese. Not one to be compared to today's pre-fab "pop tarts," Ms. Cheek's songs are introspective and honest. With an excellent touring band (Frank Campbell, Manuel Quintana, Steve Stiert) her appearances are captivating and never boring. An interesting venue - the Tuthilltown Gristmill, a cafe space in an historic mill with no immediate plans to open a golf resort. (Attentive readers will want to catch bluegrass phenom Will "Hoss" Solomon there June 5.) 8PM. $7 advance, $10 day-of-show. Gardiner. (845) 255-5695.
www.tuthilltown.com