Jazz

Sandwiched between Na Na on belmbau and Moulay Ari Hafid on dumbeg on the old Gato Barbleri albums is the fine print name of planist Lonnie Liston Smith. Occasionally in those early takes, between Gato's blasts and the percussionists' meanderings, you could make out what sounded like some pretty sweet music coming from Smith's direction. Apparently the word got to Gato that Smith was doing good things with the plano and it wasn't long before the saxophonist boosted him to "featuring" status on his latest albums. The logical extension of all this is happening this weekend as Smith brings in his own group, the Cosmic Echoes, to Boston for a few nights' stay at the Jazz Workshop. Smith's a romantic, but not incurably so--more of the McCoy Tyner variety. He never gets too syrupy to be unenjoyable. Shows at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. matinee Sunday at 733 Boylston St.

Across the hall at Paul's Mall will be Orchestra Luna, through Sunday, at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m.

Sandy's Jazz Revival has the New Black Eagle Jazz band for Saturday night and then a week of Jackie Paris 54 Cabot St., Beverly.