By J. R. Carroll.

The festivals are winding down, but in the performance spaces of New England, the fall season is already in high gear. And, on several occasions, the phrase “take a bow” will have a double meaning.

Guitarist Steven Kirby comes to Acton

On Friday, October 1, the Acton Jazz Cafe has a nice double bill to start off the month. At 7 p.m., guitarist Steven Kirby will perform with his quintet and guest vocalist Kris Adams; then, at 9:30 p.m., drummer Bob Kaufman, bassist Bruce Gertz, and saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi are joined by trumpeter Phil Grenadier.

Back in Inman Square at 10 p.m., the Lily Pad presents London’s Portico Quartet and their distinctively original take on minimalism. And down in New Haven, guitarist Julian Lage and his trio make an appearance at Firehouse 12 at 8:30 and 10 p.m.

Gonzalo Grau y la Clave Secreta

Gonzalo Grau y la Clave Secreta haven’t been in town for a while, so it’s welcome news that they’ll be at the Regattabar on Saturday, October 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Harvard Square, bassist/composer/vocalist Esperanza Spalding brings the strings of her Chamber Music Society to Sanders Theatre at 8 p.m.

On Tuesday, October 5, at 7:30 p.m., the fine-tuned drums of Ari Hoenig (and his trio) arrive at the Regattabar, followed by saxophonist Chris Potter at 7:30 and 10 p.m. the next night.

Also on Wednesday, October 6, at 8 p.m., Johnny D’s welcomes the formidable Malian vocalist Khaira Arby and her ensemble.

October is a busy month for saxophonist/composer/arranger Florencia Gonzalez. Her Big Band makes appearances at the Lily Pad at 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 7, and at the Beehive on Wednesday, October 20, at 8 p.m., while her Uruguayan candombe project can be heard at the Fireplace at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 21.

Pianist Tim Ray does double duty

On Friday, October 8, pianist Tim Ray does double duty at the Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center, first backing vocalist Mili Bermejo for the release of her new CD, Love Songs of the Americas at 7:30 p.m.; then, at 9 p.m., he leads his own quartet in a tribute to the late pianist Dave McKenna.

Saxophonist Dave Liebman heads north on Saturday, October 9, for an 8 p.m. gig at the Vermont Jazz Center in Brattleboro, VT.

More CD releases as the Jazz Composers Alliance Orchestra fills the stage of the Regattabar on Tuesday, October 12, at 7:30 p.m, and as guitarist Garrison Fewell and his Variable Density Sound Orchestra come to Johnny D’s the following evening at 8 p.m.

Also on Wednesday, October 13, at 8 and 10 p.m. Big Chief Donald Harrison brings the New Sounds of Mardi Gras to Scullers.

Thursday, October 14, offers two unusual configurations. At the Regattabar, at 7:30 and 10 p.m., Joe Lovano presents his double-drummer quintet Us Five.

Bass master Ron Carter

The same evening, across the river, bassist Ron Carter joins the Berklee World Strings at 8:15 p.m. at the Berklee Performance Center in a program featuring the music of Oscar Pettiford.

On Friday, October 15, at 7 p.m., Chicago drummer Mike Reed brings his People, Places and Things to the Lily Pad, and, at 8 p.m., World Music presents legendary South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela at the Berklee Performance Center.

Master sonero Manolo Mairena and his Curubande ignite Johnny D’s at 10 p.m. on Saturday, October 16. Also at 10 p.m., the Lily Pad welcomes Canadian trumpeter Lina Allemano.

The Berklee Performance Center hosts an interesting collaboration: The Fringe and 3Play+, separately and together, on Tuesday, October 19, at 8:15 p.m.

Ryles World Wednesdays presents Brazilian guitarist/vocalist Filo Machado and pianist Deanna Witkowski, with guest saxophonist Felipe Salles, at 9 p.m. on October 20. And on Friday, October 22, at 7:30 p.m., Zili Misik comes to the Regattabar.

Myriad musicians have been influenced by John Coltrane’s “classic quartet,” but Brooklyn saxophonist Ras Moshe is among the smaller number who’ve drawn productively on Trane’s later work; he’ll be at Outpost 186 on Saturday, October 23, at 8 p.m.

On Monday, October 25, at 7:30 p.m., the Arsenal Center for the Arts hosts Daniel Ian Smith & the New World Jazz Composers Octet. And, at 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 28, the Berklee Performance Center, presents Chucho Valdés with The Afro-Cuban Jazz Messengers

The month ends as it began, with the spotlight on strings, as the Regattabar hosts violinist Regina Carter on Friday and Saturday, October 29–30, at 7:30 p.m, featuring African folk tunes from her Reverse Thread project.

Djavan sings Brazilian classics

And on Halloween, forget the tricks and treat yourself to an evening with Brazil’s incomparable Djavan, at 8 p.m. at the Berklee Performance Center.