For the past several years I've been trying to return the word "cat" to common vernacular (i.e. "he's a strange cat," "those cats are crazy," etc.). Lately, I've expanded my campaign to the word "hepcat." With the Calgary Jazz Festival fast approaching, I sense an opportunity to spread the noun around like Swine Flu but, you know, in a cool way.

From June 22nd until the 28th, Calgary Jazz will take over sundry stages, from bar backrooms to theatres. Hepcats will descend on the city in droves, stroking their goatees and yelling "go man, go" to a fantastic roster of performers.

Now in its 30th year, the fete continues to grow, drawing some of the best talent in the genre (and slightly beyond it). Participating venues include Jack Singer Concert Hall, Beat Niq Jazz and Social Club, the Martha Cohen Theatre, and others, though look for brass notes to float out into the street. Regardless of the spot, the lineup is stellar, with myriad highlights.

This year's headliners traipse about the beloved genre, including luminary composers, purists, avant garde blowers, sultry chanteuses and everything in between. Kicking off the festivities, legendary New Orleans composer, Allen Toussaint plays an opening night gala. At 71 years old, Toussaint has seen and created his share of epochs, pioneering R&B and soul, and presciently, perpetually progressing. The gig is an auspicious start.

Tuesday, nouveau faves, Medeski, Martin, and Wood turn up to play their self-styled "avant-groove." Over at Wild Rose Brewery, ascending Quebecois songwriter, Roxanne Potvin, will oversee a Taproom party while Yannick Rieu has sax at Beat Niq.

Grab a ticket, settle in, and shout along like Neal Cassady.

Wednesday night is particularly well serviced, with a Miles Davis tribute, the surely ebullient King Sunny Ade and the African Beats at Jubilee Auditorium, pianist extraordinaire Hiromi at Martha Cohen, and six string slicer Mo Lefever at Wild Rose. James Cotton brings the blues on Thursday, while Terra Hazelton drops her latest CD. Friday's headliner, Michael Kaeshammer should titillate the ivories to a backed room.

One of the hottest tickets of the entire fest sees Tonight Show alumnus and saxophonist superstar, Branford Marsalis blowing sublimely at Jack Singer. The sure to sell out gig is a fitting end to the stacked weeklong session. Grab a ticket, settle in, and shout along like Neal Cassady.