SCHENECTADY — A Place for Jazz fall concert jazz series will return for five shows beginning Friday, Sept. 12, with the Bill Charlap Trio.

The series will continue every other Friday through Nov. 7, with concert times at 8 p.m. at the Whisperdome, in the First Unitarian Society, 1221 Wendell Ave.

Also scheduled are the Lee Russo Quartet, bassist Ben Allison, vibraphonist Joe Locke and singer Karrin Allyson.

Started in 1987 by Butch Conn, A Place for Jazz has brought hundreds of nationally known jazz musicians to the Capital Region to participate in the concert series, public workshops, and school-based clinics.

Tickets are $15 for each concert or at a discount until Sept. 8 for all five concerts at $60. To become a member or to order tickets, call 393-4011, e-mail coakjazz@aol.com, order online at www.aplaceforjazz.org, or write to A Place for Jazz, PO Box 1059, Schenectady 12301.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 12: Bill Charlap Trio — Consisting of Bill Charlap on piano, Peter Washington on bass and Kenny Washington on drums, the Bill Charlap Trio interprets classic jazz instrumentals and American standards.

Sept. 26: Lee Russo Quartet — Local tenor saxophonist Lee Russo and drummer Joe Barna are two of the most in-demand young musicians in the Capital Region, with their post-bop style. Compositions from their recent CD “The Abenaki” will be featured.

Oct. 10: Ben Allison — Bassist Ben Allison has been called an adventurous improviser and a visionary composer by Jazz Times. His latest album “Little Things Run the World” is progressive in its feeling, but full of melody in the songs and the solos, making it accessible by even those who might balk at its forward-looking nature. His quintet, which he calls Man Size Safe, will showcase that approach.

Oct. 24: Joe Locke — Vibraphonist Joe Locke has been winning over audiences for more than two decades, and he consistently places high in readers’ and critics’ polls. He was recently honored with the 2008 “Mallet Player of the Year” Award by the Jazz Journalist Association. He has recorded more than 25 CDs.

Nov. 7: Karrin Allyson — Concord recording artist Karrin Allyson will conclude the season with an evening of singing. Two of her CDs, “Ballads” and “Footprints,” have been Grammy nominees. Her repertoire includes standards, bebop, and Brazilian and French classics. Her recent CD “Imagina: Songs of Brasil” has received critical acclaim.