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The Top Five Must-See Jazz Fest Concerts By Andrew Gilbert Mingus Big Band; Charles McPherson Quartet; Mingus Amungus, Oct. 30, Masonic Auditorium. After Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus created the richest, earthiest, most dizzying legacy in jazz. The Mingus Big Band is a roaring, stomping band capable of capturing both the controlled chaos and unbearable tenderness of Mingus' greatest compositions. Ruben Gonzalez and his Band; Chucho Valdes Quartet, Nov. 2, Davies Symphony Hall. Gonzalez, a pioneering accompanist and soloist who brought a harder rhythmic edge to the Cuban keyboard tradition in the mid-'40s, leads a band featuring 71-year-old singer Ibrahim Ferrer. Following in their footsteps is the dazzlingly prodigious Chucho Valdes. Sphere; Geri Allen Group, Nov. 5, Masonic Auditorium. Sphere is a quartet dedicated to exploring Thelonious Monk's music. In recent years the group has been reinvigorated with the fiery alto saxophonist Gary Bartz. Drummer Ben Riley plays his sometimes abrupt, angular rhythms with the utmost grace and fluidity. Kenny Barron is simply one of the greatest pianists in the world. Rosemary Clooney; Kevin Mahogany, Nov. 6, Masonic Auditorium. Anyone who loves the music of the Gershwins, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Harold Arlen and Rodgers and Hart needs to hear Rosemary Clooney, because no one can sing the Great American Songbook with more wit, hard-won wisdom and musicality than she. Marc Anthony; El Gran Combo; John Santos and Machete, Nov. 7, Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. Paul Simon's Broadway flop Capeman didn't propel Puerto Rican salsa star Marc Anthony to crossover success, but with his pop star charisma, rhythmic power and commanding voice, he's going to be playing stadiums soon. [ San Francisco | MetroActive Central | Archives ]