Jazz and blues

Jazz Fair

The 30th annual Jazz Fair takes place from 7 p.m. to midnight today at the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph St., Chicago, featuring the Edwin Sanchez Project, New Directions, Jazz Sings the Blues, which incorporates local blues and jazz players in concert together, Chuck Hedges' Swingtet, the Von Freeman Quintet and the Jazz Links Jazz Ensemble and the All-City Jazz Ensemble, featuring the best young jazz players in the city. It's free. From 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday "Jazz On Film" will feature five films documenting jazz, including "The World According to John Coltrane" (11:30 a.m.); "Tootie's Last Suit" (1:35 p.m.), about the Mardi Gras Indians of New Orleans; "Sippie" (3:25 p.m.), a documentary about blues singer Sippie Wallace; and rare film footage from the collection of Delmark Records founder Bob Koester (4 p.m.). For information about either day, call (312) 427-1676.

Blues Challenge

"The World's Largest Gathering of Blues Bands" takes place Jan. 31-Feb. 2 throughout Memphis at the 2008 International Blues Challenge, which features 159 acts from 36 states and 10 countries from six continents. Winners go on to earn high-profile slots at blues festivals around the world. This year, panels include a presentation featuring filmmaker John Sayles, who just released "Honedripper," his blues-themed new film. Visit blues.org.

-- Mark Guarino