By J. R. Carroll

Composer/pianist Carla Bley and bassist Steve Swallow visit NEC as artists-in-residence, Brazilian guitarist Filó Machado and violinist/oudist Simon Shaheen wrap up their residencies at Berklee, outstanding musicians raise funds for Boston’s homeless and to fight climate change, Club d’Elf releases a long-awaited new double CD, and you get your pick of a string of guitarists.

Guitarist John Abercrombie and his Organ Trio (with organist Gary Versace and drummer Adam Nussbaum) make two stops in New England this month, starting with a gig on Friday, April 15, at 7 p.m. at Johnny D’s, where the trio is joined by fellow guitarist Mick Goodrick. The following evening the trio is at the Vermont Jazz Center (VJC), where they’ll pay tribute to the VJC’s founder, guitarist Attila Zoller, at 8 p.m.

At 8 and 10 p.m. on Friday the 15th, drummer T. S. Monk and his Septet perform at Scullers.

Across the river, percussionist Eguie Castrillo and his 18-piece orchestra ignite the Regattabar at 7:30 p.m. And, down in New Haven, Firehouse 12 presents cellist Daniel Levin and his Quartet at 8:30 and 10 p.m.

2011 marks the sesquicentennial of the founding of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and, in honor of the occasion, Mark Harvey and the Aardvark Jazz Orchestra will perform original works dedicated to MIT and also to Harvey’s ancestor, abolitionist Charles Sumner, on the 200th anniversary of his birth. The concert will take place at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 16, in MIT’s Kresge Auditorium.

With the return of HBO’s Treme a little over a week away, the Rebirth Brass Band pays a last-minute visit to the Middle East on Saturday at 8 p.m.

And at 10 p.m. on Saturday, wrapping up a week’s residency at Berklee, Brazilian guitarist/vocalist/composer Filó Machado plays at the Beehive.

At 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 17, the stunning Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport will host Berklee’s Be-Bop Guitars. Then, further up the coast at Portsmouth’s Press Room, you can catch saxophonist Charlie Jennison and his Quartet at 6 p.m.

Saxophonist Patrick Breiner, bassist Aaron Darrell and drummer Devin Drobka are the Sons of Daughters; they’ll be at Outpost 186 at 8 p.m. on Monday, April 18.

Simon Shaheen’s violin and oud performances traverse the boundaries of jazz and Arabic and European classical music. At 8:15 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19, he’ll be the featured soloist with the Berklee Middle Eastern All-Stars at the Berklee Performance Center.

Back at Berklee on Wednesday, April 20, at 8 p.m., student-run Jazz Revelation Records celebrates the release of its eighth CD, Octave, at the Berklee Performance Center.

And at 9 p.m. at Ryles, Fernando Brandão recaps last year’s memorable performance with Brazilian guest vocalist Beth Bruno.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLuQi2nOGhE

On Thursday, April 21, at 8 p.m., composer/pianist Carla Bley and bassist Steve Swallow conclude their residency at the New England Conservatory (NEC) with a concert of their large ensemble works in Jordan Hall with the NEC Jazz Orchestra.

Also at 8 p.m., Afrobeat comes to the Paradise with Femi Kuti and the Positive Force.

The eclectic and unpredictable Club d’Elf celebrate the release of their new, double CD with a mini-tour of New England. At 9 p.m. on the 21st, they’ll travel to the Port City Music Hall in Portland, ME with guests John Medeski, Brahim Fribgane, and Duke Levine. The following evening at 8 and 11 p.m., they’ll return to their home base at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge, joined by John Medeski, Dave Tronzo, and Mister Rourke. Finally, on Saturday night at 9 p.m. they’ll make a swing up to the Stone Church in Newmarket, NH with guest Dave Tronzo.

In honor of Earth Day 2011, three outstanding violinists representing different traditions will join forces in a benefit concert, Violins for the Planet, for 350.org; Mimi Rabson, Tara Bangalore, and Beth Bahia Cohen perform at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 22 at Emmanuel Church.

Also at 7 p.m., the Acton Jazz Cafe welcomes the David Eure Jazz Quartet, followed at 9 p.m. by the Benny Sharoni Quartet. (He’ll also be at Chianti at 9 p.m. on Saturday.)

And down in New Haven at 8:30 and 10 p.m., Firehouse 12 presents trumpeter Shane Endsley and the Music Band

At 7:30 and 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, April 22–23, the Regattabar features saxophonist Kenny Garrett.

Guitarist Julian Lage releases his second CD at Club Passim, with performances at 7 and 10 p.m. on Saturday, April 23 and again at 8 p.m. the following evening.

Out in Framingham, at 8 p.m. on Saturday, the Amazing Things Arts Center plays host to Paul Combs Pocket Big Band.

The Lily Pad has a busy evening in store for Sunday, April 24. At 6:30 p.m., the Mario Cerra Quintet performs, followed at 9 p.m. by the Joe Hunt Trio.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uTZTVpb0Vw

On Monday, April 25 at 8:15 p.m., the Footprints of a Mysterious Traveler lead to the Berklee Performance Center when guest Wayne Shorter sits in with Danilo Pérez, Joe Lovano, Terri Lyne Carrington, John Patitucci, and students from the Berklee Global Jazz Institute at their First Anniversary Concert.

It’s back to bass-ics on Tuesday, April 26. At 8 p.m. Michael Feinberg and his Quartet team with baritone saxophonist Davindar Singh at the Beehive, and at 8 and 10 p.m., Francois Moutin brings his Reunion Quartet to Scullers.

Paris-born Jerome Sabbagh favors a lean and thoughtful approach to the saxophone; on Wednesday, April 27, at 8 p.m. he’ll be at the Beehive with guitarist Nadav Remez, bassist Tamir Shmerling and drummer Eran Fink.

Also on Wednesday, Senegalese sabar drummer Lamine Toure and his mbalax Group Saloum will perform at Ryles at 9 p.m.

There’ll be another worthy fundraiser—and terrific music by Mango Blue—on Thursday, April 28, at 7 p.m. when the Friends of Boston’s Homeless hold their Beyond Shelter Gala at the House of Blues.

And, finally, at 8:30 p.m., Beverly, MA, gets a multicultural fix when Grand Fatilla comes to Chianti.