These SUNY instructors and jazz ambassadors resemble a well of music that springs onto the McKenna Theater stage each year. Vocalist Roiger (also an accomplished pianist) maintains a busy schedule for devoted fans and former students. Menegon's expressive bass playing matches his broad, natural compositions. And when they say "very special guests," they mean it. $10 general admission, $8 seniors, $4 students. New Paltz. (845) 257-3880. www.teriroiger.com.

Every once in a while a songwriter rises above the coffeehouse grind. Kay, a 30-year performance veteran, squeezes the best performers of Orange County into his monthly meeting of the Arts Alliance of the Hudson Valley at the Elks Lodge on Liberty Street. Go for the line-up of talent, but stay for Kay's warm, husky voice and troubadour lyrics. no cover. Newburgh. www.jamiekay.com.

Palmieri apparently has caught the Hudson Valley bug, appearing here several times a year. The seven-time Grammy winner is considered the foremost Latin jazz pianist of the last half-century. Former Allman Brother Betts (who wrote and sang "Ramblin' Man," among others) revives his Great Southern outfit, bringing a little swamp water to these Hudson shores. Palmieri: March 12 at 8pm. $36.50 adults, $33.50 students/seniors. Betts: March 13 at 7pm. $33.50 adults, $30.50 students/seniors.Poughkeepsie. (845) 473-2072. www.bardavon.org.

Hot on the heels of last year's blockbuster Temptations show, UPAC keeps a soul groove with hit-makers The Tops. Founded in 1953-54, they label-hopped for 10 years before striking gold at Motown in 1964 with hits like "Baby I Need Your Loving" and "Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch." Legendary fiddler Daniels is best known for "The Devil Went Down to Georgia." 8pm. Tops: March 12, $47. Daniels: March 17, $42.Kingston. (845) 339-6088. www.upac.org.

Music fans know Wooten as bassist for The Flecktones, but bassists know him as "The Man." His blazing fingers, melodic solos, and deep backbeat define versatility, as Wooten flits seamlessly between jazz, funk and contemporary R&B. The Capital region's Egg theater serves up a rare performance by Wooten's sizzling combo. $24. Albany. (518) 473-1845. www.theegg.org.

Always pushing the boundaries of Irish music, Solas celebrates St. Patrick's week at the Towne Crier in support of Another Day, a spontaneous, mostly-acoustic recording that lives up to the band's name ("light" in Gaelic). Solas can also reel and jig with the best, and the New York Times calls them "a group grounded in the fast fingered jigs and reels of the Irish tradition who plays them with unbridled vitality." $30. Pawling. (845) 855-1300. www.townecrier.com.

Dutchess Community College presents the 18th annual concert by jazz composer Matt Finley (flugelhorn/soprano sax) and his samba ensemble, with Peter Tomlinson (piano), Jeff Ciampa (guitar), John Menegon (bass), Tom Lopez (percussion), and Terry Silverlight (drums). DCC's cafeteria offers refreshments in a cafe setting, as the band plays bossas and jazz sambas, swing and more. Free. Poughkeepsie. (845) 431-8050. www.riojazz.com.