The great composer and bandleader was distraught over the 1967 death of Billy Strayhorn, his songwriting and arranging partner of 28 years. But Ellington took Strayhorn’s passing as an impetus, born of necessity, to increase his own productivity. Here are five examples.

At the Village Vanguard, one flight down from the hubbub of New York City, in a tight space packed with people, we’re about to embark on a musical odyssey by sea. Our captain is saxophonist Chris Potter, who’s launching his Odyssey-inspired album The Sirens.

The two artists are known opposites in the world of instrumental music. On Metheny’s latest, the jazz guitarist wrings an unexpectedly visual listening experience from Zorn’s knotty compositions.

Divine: The Jazz Albums, 1954-1958 packs four CDs with Vaughan’s music, recorded live or in the studio with bands big and small. Two live albums from Chicago nightclubs are standouts, partly when a performance threatens to slide off the rails.

Mahanthappa brings an explosive blend of jazz and South Indian classical music to the studio.

Hear passionate improvisation across borders on Colombian harp, Argentinian bandoneón, Venezuelan cuatro and vibes from the U.S. In a passionate set with Castañeda, his trio and special guests perform at the Americas Society in New York.

He was a soulful reedman, an amazing talent scout for decades and a bandleader of one of the country’s most popular acts. Born in 1913, Herman led “Thundering Herds” that were both big draws and well-respected by the likes of Igor Stravinsky. Here are five recordings which still sound fresh today.

In the arts mecca of New York City, subway buskers are often overqualified. But they’re not usually world-class jazz singers with the lungs and charisma of old-school soul stars. Accompanied only by a pianist, Porter performs “Be Good (Lion’s Song)” on a vintage subway car in downtown Brooklyn.

Rudresh Mahanthappa’s work always seems to be filed under jazz, but it’s hard to find a style he doesn’t touch: hip-hop, country, metal and soul fused with traditional sounds from India, Africa and Indonesia. And he makes it rock.

“Women in Jazz Day” officially hits New York City Friday, complete with a new documentary on the subject. While the celebration is deserving, it remains incomplete, commentator Lara Pellegrinelli says. She lists many more resources on the subject — on film, print and wax.

Marian McPartland accompanies the vocalist on music from the Gershwins, Duke Ellington and more.

The tenor saxophonist plays “Take the ‘A’ Train” and “All the Things You Are” with host Jon Weber.

The quartet specializes in a distinct strain of deconstructionist improvised music: jazz that aims at fun by bouncing off the walls. Led by slide trumpeter Steven Bernstein, the band parties to the themes of spaghetti western film composer Nino Rota.

Palmieri plays the whole piano, and he’s not shy about throwing an elbow or forearm to get the effect he needs. As a 2013 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, the piano original plays The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

At the 2013 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, every sort of performer was welcome. But the festival grounds were at the center of a much wider celebration of Louisiana music that continued during, around and after the last two weekends.

Saxophonist Phil Woods is a true master of all things bop. He’s been one of the top alto players since his debut in the mid-1950s, and he’s been called the musical heir to Charlie Parker. In this session from 2003, Woods joins host Marian McPartland, bassist Steve Gilmore and drummer Bill Goodwin in “How About You” and “Fine and Dandy.”

On opening night at San Francisco’s newly constructed, free-standing building designed for and dedicated to jazz, fans filled the stunning Robert N. Miner Auditorium at the SFJAZZ Center for a maiden voyage and festive concert.

The trumpeter Steven Bernstein picks up the slide trumpet with the quartet Sexmob and conjures a repertoire that ranges from James Bond themes to the Macarena. They’re preceded by drummer Allison Miller, whose jaunty tunes set the stage. Watch a live concert from New York.

Ever since he started becoming one of the best alto saxophone players in the world, Zenón has drawn influence from his upbringing in Puerto Rico. But, like many Puerto Ricans, Zenón lives in New York — and his stunning quartet has finally been invited to play a home date at the Vanguard.

Pianist and composer John Beasley isn’t exactly a household name. But he’s now been tapped twice to direct many of them during the star-studded International Jazz Day concert. So is it difficult to play “jazz police” in an ancient church in Istanbul?