As I mentioned earlier, SFJAZZ's Spring Season is an embarrassment of musical riches. With 46 concerts to choose from, it's difficult to narrow it down to a dozen or so and I would happily attend at least 30 of these shows. It's like having to choose between a date with Sophia Loren or Marilyn Monroe and not even getting the chance to think about choosing Elizabeth Taylor instead.

My 10 picks:

Marcus Roberts Trio  3/17  Roberts is one today's best pianists and his trio recently released New Orleans meets Harlem. They'll likely hit it hard and hit it smart.

Yasmin Levy  03/20  SFJAZZ brings some of the most arresting international performers to the Bay Area- these shows are usually my favorites. Levy "melds Ladino melodies with vibrant cadences of flamenco, a style with shared roots in Spain’s Moorish past."

Madeleine Peyroux  04/08  Peyroux evokes an ineluctable place somewhere between Billie Holiday and Rickie Lee Jones.

Max Raabe & Palast Orchester  04/09   The Weimar Republic is alive, well and will be present on the stage of the Paramount Theatre.

Gabriela Montero  05/01 Jazz intersects with Classical on solo piano, with improv. As an admirer of Jacques Loussier, I think this show looks really promising.

CéU 05/06 Brazil's latest intriguing singer has a sound that brings samba to places it hasn't been before.

Lionel Loueke Trio  05/20 Guitarist Loueke brings a distinct West African influence to highly intricate arrangements, blurring the line between traditional and adverturous.

Rickie Lee Jones   05/27 She'll be performing her eponymous debut album and Pirates in their entirety for this show. Enough said.

A Night in Treme  06/10 A musical portrait of New Orleans featuring musicians who have appeared on the acclaimed show.

Ana Moura  06/25 Portuguese Fado. Another gig which promises to transport the audience to another place.

Tickets are now on sale.