By J. R. Carroll

Updated — A celebratory month: Pianist Nando Michelin honors one of his native Uruguay’s greatest poets, a legendary Ethiopian vocalist rejoins the Either/Orchestra, a stellar Jazz Piano Summit comes to Connecticut, and much, much more.

At 8 and 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, March 18–19, the youngster behind the drum kit at Scullers will be none other than Roxbury’s own Roy Haynes; let’s see if his Fountain of Youth band (saxophonist Jaleel Shaw, pianist Martin Bejerano, and bassist David Wong) can keep up with the 86-year-old master.

The Vortex has spiraled eastward to the vital, community cultural center, Zumix; at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, the series presents a terrific double bill of Birdsongs of the Mesozoic and the Quantum Trio.

Also at 8:30, and again at 10 p.m., New Haven’s Firehouse 12 welcomes the distinctive guitarist Adam Rogers and his Trio.

And at 9 p.m. at the Acton Jazz Cafe, Argentinian pianist Pablo Ablanedo leads his Octet in a program of his atmospheric compositions.

On Saturday, March 19, at 1 p.m., the Museum of Fine Arts continues its month-long Fiesta with a performance by Cuban pianist Dayramir Gonzalez and Habana enTRANCE.

At 7 p.m. the Lily Pad features, separately and together, the Ayn Inserto Jazz Orchestra and Quartet of Happiness.

The Boston Jewish Music Festival continues its Ultimate Purim Party at 8 p.m. with percussionist Roberto Juan Rodriguez and his Cuban Jewish All Stars at Acacia (located at the Indian Meadow Country Club in Westborough).

Up in Brattleboro, VT, at 8 p.m., the Vermont Jazz Center presents the Gerald Clayton Trio, and down in New London, CT, also at 8 p.m., the Dan Hartman Quintet will be at the Jazz Underground.

At 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 20, the Press Room in Portsmouth, NH, hosts bassist Tim Webb with his quintet (saxophonist Marc Laforce, vibraphonist Paul Heckel, pianist Ryan Parker, and drummer Ken Clark).

Monday evening’s Headshaft series at Chianti continues at 8:30 p.m. on the 21st with saxophonist/bassist Timo Shanko.

Bassist Tony Grey embeds his lyrical solos within a rich ensemble texture reflecting the diversity of his experiences; hear it for yourself at the Regattabar on Tuesday, March 22, at 7:30 p.m.

Over at Scullers at 8 p.m., drummer Steve Smith comes to town with his Vital Information-NYC Edition.

Pianist/composer/arranger Nando Michelin first unveiled his settings of Uruguayan poet Mario Benedetti last year; along with vocalist Sofia Rei Koutsovitis, he’ll release the resulting CD, Como arboles, at the Regattabar on Wednesday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m.

On Wednesday and Thursday, March 23–24, at 8 and 10 p.m., guitarist Al Di Meola brings his World Sinfonia to Scullers.

If you can’t locate an electric bassist on Thursday, March 24, here’s why: At 7 p.m. both Stanley Clarke and Victor Wooten and their respective bands will be playing at Bowery Boston (and they might even play together).

“No flies on Frank,” wrote John Lennon; “No rust on Russ,” write I. Fresh from two epic 25th anniversary concerts, Gershon and the Either/Orchestra dive back into their Ethiopian repertoire with vocalist Mahmoud Ahmed at 7:30 p.m. on the 24th at the Regattabar. (They’re also raising funds for a return trip to Addis Adaba.) They’ll repeat the program the following evening at 8 p.m. at Amherst College.

On Friday, March 25, at 7:30 and 10 p.m. (and again on Saturday), the Regattabar presents pianist Michel Camilo and his Trio.

Outpost 186 features the trio of reedman Mike McGinnis, trombonist Brian Drye and drummer Jon Arkin at 8 p.m.

Meanwhile, it’s a busy evening down in Connecticut. At 8 p.m., Fairfield’s Quick Center for the Arts offers a stellar Piano Jazz Summit with Cedar Walton, Jacky Terrasson and Hiromi Uehara.

And at 8:30 p.m. in New Haven, Firehouse 12 hosts saxophonist Donny McCaslin.

On Saturday, March 26, Outpost 186 presents the Alternate Universe Quintet (trumpeter Forbes Graham, reedman Allan Chase, pianist Steve Lantner, bassist Joe Morris and drummer Laurence Cook) at 8 p.m.

At 9 p.m., out at the Acton Jazz Cafe, you can catch vocalist Kris Adams, just back from Brazil.

And at Chianti, philosopher and saxophonist Kyle Nasser performs at 9 p.m. (He’ll also be at the Beehive on Tuesday, March 29, at 8 p.m.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLIBAySkm3g

The invaluable New World Jazz Composers Octet pays a visit to the Amazing Things Arts Center in Framingham at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 27. (See Steve Elman’s review of the NWJCO.)

Then, at 6 p.m., the Press Room in Portsmouth welcomes saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi, pianist Ryan Parker, bassist Will Slater and drummer Brooke Sofferman.

Back at Outpost 186 on Monday, March 28, pianist Dave Bryant, saxophonist Tom Hall, bassist Jacob William and drummer Eric Rosenthal perform at 8 p.m.

On Tuesday, March 29, at 7:30 p.m., Jocko’s All-Star Quintet (trumpeter Jason Palmer, saxophonist Dino Govoni, pianist Tim Ray, bassist John Lockwood and drummer Yoron Israel)–aptly named–plays at the Sahara in Methuen.

And at 8:30 p.m., violinist Tomoko Omura makes an appearance at Ryles in connection with the release of her new CD, Visions.

Long-time collaborators Toots Thielemans and Kenny Werner return to Scullers at 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, March 30-31.

At 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Ryles features Brazilian vocalist/composer Fernando Holz.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U42wmdyo_Xw

Also at 9 p.m., drummer and trumpeter Ralph Peterson and his Fo’Tet (vibraphonist Bryan Carrott, clarinetist Felix Peikli and bassist Nori Shiota) celebrate a CD release at the House of Blues.

The music of the Bernal/Eckroth/Ennis Trio (vocalist Natalia Bernal, pianist Mike Eckroth and 7-string guitarist Jason Ennis) traverses the Americas; they’ll be at Vernissage in Brookline at 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 31. Then, continue the evening across the street at 9:30 p.m. at the Fireplace with the samba sounds of Sonho Meu.

Finally, up in Beverly, at 8:30 p.m. saxophonist Myanna lays down the funk at Chianti.