Building on tradition

Hopefully, no would-be musician selects an instrument because another, actually-preferred instrument has too many really good artists already playing it.

“I think I’ll play jazz French horn, or possibly jazz bagpipes,” this easy-way-out musician might say.

Clearly, this was not the case with Jeremy Pelt — who plays trumpet. Far from being intimidated by icons ranging from Pops and Bolden to Miles and Wynton, though, Pelt used their collective inspiration (as well as many more) to forge his own virtuosic and singular path. Indeed, Pelt, voted a Rising Star five years in a row by both Downbeat Magazine and the Jazz Journalist Association, is one of the finest young players on the scene.

On tour behind his “Jeremy Pelt the Artist” and “Live in Paris” CDs, he brings his band Saturday to Old Lyme for two shows in the Side Door Jazz Club. Jeremy Pelt Quintet, 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Side Door Jazz Club, Old Lyme Inn, 85 Lyme St., Old Lyme; $45; (860) 434-0886.

CONTRIBUTED Charlie Pikler, a member of the NFA Class of 1969, will perform for members of his 50th Reunion Class and the public, 1-2 p.m. Saturday in the school’s Slater Auditorium.