If you're still doubting that jazz is global, drop by Dazzle, 930 Lincoln St., on Thursday to hear trumpeter Gabriel Alegria and his Afro-Peruvian Sextet.

Alegria combines the jazz tradition with the African- influenced sound of coastal Peru. That blend's on display on his latest CD, Nuevo Mundo, which features guests such as Tierney Sutton, Bill Watrous, Bobby Shew and Russell Ferrante.

The trumpeter's working band of Laurandrea Leguia on saxophone, Yuri Juarez on guitar, Ramon De Bruyn on bass, Hugo Alcazar on drums and Freddy "Huevito" Lobaton on percussion and traditional Peruvian instruments also appeared on that 2007 disc and will be on the bandstand at Dazzle at 7 and 9 p.m. ($20, 303-839-5100).

Dazzle has once again made Down Beat's list of the 100 best jazz clubs in the world. When it brings in unique bands like Alegria's sextet, you know that designation is well deserved.

After Alegria performs, the group Three Squared moves into the lounge at 10:30 p.m. ($5).

ALSO ON TAP: The Chie Imaizumi Jazz Orchestra is at Dazzle on Sunday for its monthly visit.

Recently, I spoke with the great composer and bandleader Maria Schneider about Imaizumi. Schneider talked about how impressed she is with the young composer/arranger/conductor from Saitama, Japan, and pointed out the honesty, consistency, intelligence and sheer joyfulness of her music.

Denver has no shortage of top-shelf musicians, and Imaizumi certainly occupies a prominent spot on that shelf. She and her 10-piece, small big band hit the stage at 7 p.m. ($12).

* The superb trumpeter Greg Gisbert was an earlier supporter of Imaizumi's music and a key player in her decision to settle in Denver. For a long time, Gisbert has been a member of Schneider's orchestra and the Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Star Big Band. He was also a founding member of the classy sextet Convergence.

While Convergence performs monthly at Dazzle, Gisbert, who teaches at the University of Florida's Frost School of Music, isn't always on hand. That's the case tonight when Convergence performs at 7 and 9 p.m. with trumpeter Gabe Mervine joining saxophonist John Gunther, trombonist Mark Patterson, pianist Eric Gunnison, bassist Mark Simon and drummer Paul Romaine ($12).

* Dazzle also offers a CD release party for pianist Ben Markley at 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday. Markley's disc is titled Second Introduction; to introduce it, the pianist is joined by saxophonists Josh Quinlan and Jim Pisano, bassist Ken Walker and drummer Jim White ($10/$20 with CD). On Monday, the club on Lincoln has the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra at 7 p.m. ($10).

* Crossover saxophonist Jackiem Joyner is playing at 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Jazz @ Jack's, 500 16th St. ($19-$35, 303-433-1000). Joyner records for Artistry Music, part of Mack Avenue Records. Other crossover musicians on that label include trumpeter Rick Braun and saxophonist Richard Elliot, known jointly as R&R. On March 27, R&R will be in Colorado Springs as part of guitarist Earl Klugh's annual Weekend of Jazz at the Broadmoor. The event runs March 27-28 and also features singer Patti Austin, Spyro Gyra and Klugh with pianist Bob James. A variety of music/ room packages are available (866-837-9520).

Normanprovizer@aol.com