James Francies has been an in-demand pianist for such top-tier jazz players as Pat Metheny, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Stefon Harris and Chris Potter. But the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts alum started cutting a path as a session leader in 2018 with “Flight” and made a brilliant recording three years later with “Purest Form.” He composes and plays with a fluidity in form, able to synthesize jazz, hip-hop and electronic music in a way that feels like some new sound rather than mixing and matching disparate forms. He’s the latest performer in a wonderful Jazzy Sundays in the Parks series that continues through May.
When: 5 p.m. May 14
Where: Water Works at Buffalo Bayou Park, 105 Sabine
Details: free; buffalobayou.org
Andrew Dansby
A Night for Guy
Though he was born in Monahans and spent his youth in Rockport, the legendary Guy Clark found his feet as a singer and songwriter on stages in Houston in the 1960s. So one year after his death in 2016, several musicians — most from Houston — got together for the inaugural A Night for Guy. Clark collaborators Verlon Thompson and Shawn Camp have become regulars, joining locals like Matt Harlan and the Mighty Orq. Surprise guests have included Lyle Lovett and Hayes Carll. But the focus remains, as it was from the beginning, on Clark’s songs. This year’s A Night for Guy will follow the tried-and-true format, and will be followed the next night by the Bojangles Secret show with just Thompson and Camp.
When: 7 p.m. May 17
Where: Rockefeller’s, 3620 Washington
Details: $72; anightforguy.com
Andrew Dansby
Bojangles Secret Show with Shawn Camp and Verlon Thompson
When: 7 p.m. May 18
Where: Bojangles Music School, 313 Lilac
Details: $55; anightforguy.com
Andrew Dansby
Halim Flowers
For weeks, Halim Flowers’ visual art has been on display as part of the exhibition “The Revolution Will Be Digitized,” which touches on social justice and a prison industrial complex, something with which Flowers is familiar. At 16, he was handed a life sentence. While incarcerated, he began writing poetry and also took courses through the Prisons and Justice Initiative at Georgetown University. His life started over again after his release, and Flowers has poured his energy into art, poetry and fashion design. He will take part in a performance and panel discussion titled “Moving the Needle: The Real Impact of Art on the Street,” which will be moderated by Nicole Lander and featuring panelists Tammie Lang Campbell and Brandon Zech.
When: 6 p.m. May 17
Where: Nicole Longnecker Gallery, 1440 Greengrass
Details: free; longneckergallery.com
Andrew Dansby
Kendrick Scott
Jazz star Kendrick Scott has returned to his native Houston several times for performances. And the drummer might have cycled through to support his new album “Corridors,” except he had a different performance in mind. After reading about the exhumed remains from a convict leasing program in Sugar Land, Scott began to create “Unearthed,” a multi-media performance that includes a jazz ensemble, a string quartet, spoken word by Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton and visuals by artist Robert Hodge. He found Houston’s Dacamera to be an interesting party, and they’ll present the world premiere of the piece this week.
When: 8 p.m. May 12
Where: Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas
Details: $37.50-$67.50; 713-524-5050, dacamera.com
Andrew Dansby
