Most sensual sounds
Tord Gustavsen Trio (Wigmore Hall, tonight).
Like the EST (Esbjörn Svensson Trio) before them, this hypersensitive young Norwegian piano trio create a dreamlike foam-bath ambience that vibrates heartstrings, as do singers Kurt Elling (QEH, Fri 18 Nov) and Harry Connick Jr (with Branford Marsalis, Shaw Theatre, Wed 16 and Fri 18 Nov).

Best value
McCoy Tyner Trio and World Saxophone Quartet (Barbican, Mon 19 Nov).
A somewhat mismatched but truly all-star double bill pits piano superstar Tyner's straight-ahead trio against the wild and free saxes of Oliver Lake, David Murray, Bruce Williams and Hamiet Bluiett. Joining them are trombonist Craig Harris and a dreamteam rhythm section of drummer Gene Lake and virtuoso bassist Matthew Garrison, whose father, Jimmy, played alongside Tyner in the epic John Coltrane quartet.

Best dance vibe
UK Funk Allstars (Stratford Circus, Theatre Square, E15, Fri 18 Nov).
Incognito's astute founder-producer, the guitarist Bluey Maunick, is unlikely to get this one wrong. His contact book contains the numbers of singers Linda Lewis, Carol Grimes and stellar sidemen from FBI, Gonzalez, Kokomo and the Average White Band. Funk-lovers should also check out Courtney Pine's two shows at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on Sat 19 Nov.

Most winning combination
BBC Concert Orchestra with Uri Caine and John Surman (QEH, Sun 20 Nov). Strings should inspire sophisticated improvisation from US pianist-composer Caine and English baritone sax/bass clarinet virtuoso Surman. Other promising blends next Saturday involve lyrical US tenorist Charles Lloyd and Polish trumpet star Tomasz Stanko (Barbican) and Vietnamese trumpeter Cuong Vu's group with fiery guitarist Dave "Fuze" Fiuczynski (The Spitz).

Most unlikely combination
Archie Shepp and Mina Agossi (Queen Elizabeth Hall, Sun 13 Nov).
The last of the great US tenormen and civil-rights activists from the Sixties, the ferocious yet ever-melodic Archie meets the delightful Mina, an Afro-Parisienne diva of rare originality.

Best free show
Tony Kofi and Jonathan Gee play Monk (Ray's Jazz, Foyles, Charing Cross Road, WC2, 2pm, Sat 12 Nov).
Altoist Kofi and pianist Gee play the music of Thelonious Monk, at which they are expert. And that evening Scott Stroman's Guildhall Jazz Orchestra features US double-bass icon Rufus Reid and tenor-sax star Jean Toussaint.

• London Jazz Festival runs from today until 20 November. Full programme details from: www.serious.org.uk.