Master jazz guitarist Pizzarelli, who turns 80 this year, plays a sevenstring guitar—with the extra string tuned to A, allowing him to play a bass line to his own solos. A prolifi c player with more than two dozen records, he earned his chops touring with Benny Goodman and Zoot Sims, and was a member of "The Tonight Show" band. Pizzarelli (father of crooner-guitarist John) appears at Unison Arts with long-time bassist Jerry Bruno. $18/14. New Paltz. (845) 255-1559. www.unisonarts.org.

This annual powerhouse session for a good cause stars an assembly of renowned jazz players at the Rosendale Café. Accord guitarist Matthew Finck grew up backstage at the Granit Hotel while his bandleader/saxophonist dad swung the baton. Expect Ron's former band mates, such as pianist Mike Kull and drummer Gene Randolph, alongside Finck and friends like trumpeter Greg Glassman. The eponymous scholarship fund benefits music students at Rondout Valley High School. $10. Rosendale Café. (845) 658-9048. www.matthewfinck.com.

Jeff Connolly's legendary punk unit Lyres makes a rare stop at Forum Lounge on the way back to Boston from Manhattan's Continental. Promoter Stacy Fine puts on a real rock'n'roll revue, with a screening of Glenn O'Brien's seminal punk cable show "TV Party" and light show by artist Jim C. The Relatives, featuring Ric Orlando and Johnny Glow, open for Lyres and DJ Astronette rocks the mp3s all night. $8. Kingston. (845) 331-1116. www.forumlounge.com.

The lovely-voiced Scott is throwing a release party for her new CD Parachute and you're invited! The 13-song collection features a laundry list of wonderful Woodstock musicians and was recorded in her home studio on her own piano. After the live set, move the tables at the Colony Café so DJ Dave Leonard can do his dancin' thing. (Scott also appears the next day at Clearwater Festival.) No cover. Woodstock. (845) 679-5342. www.barscott.com.

Your humble NH scribe had the thrill of hearing Count Basie's band a half-dozen times and can assure you it is a thrill not to be missed. Kudos to Kingston for bringing Basie, the Barry Harris Orchestra, Ben Allison (right), the Kingston High School Jazz Ensemble, and others to town for three days of stupendous swing. The fest kicks off Friday night with Rufus Reid and the String Trio of New York performing in the stunning City Common Council chambers on Broadway.
Saturday and Sunday events happen outdoors on the Rondout
waterfront, rain or shine. Free. Kingston. (845) 334-3915. www.kingstonjazzfestival.com.

Surviving original Wailer Bunny, who hasn't hit these shores in decades, hosts this historic reunion also starring I-Threes, the backing vocal trio comprised of Rita Marley, Marcea Griffi ths (Electric Slide), and Judy Mowatt. The Woodstock Reggae Carifest producers convinced Rita (Bob's widow) to travel from her African home all the way to Hunter Mountain Resort, promising some onstage electricity when this band gets back together. $55/35. Hunter. (718) 856-3336 or (845) 679-3382. www.reggaecarifest.com.