Thanks to big festivals (High Sierra and Monterey Jazz) footing the travel bill, last year saxophonist, composer, bandleader, and pianist Peter Apfelbaum brought his New York Hieroglyphics big band to Berkeley twice. This time around the Berkeley High grad — who pioneered jazz improv and African rhythms in the ’70s and ’80s and has worked with the likes of Don Cherry, Trey Anastasio, and Harry Belafonte — is playing in a more intimate sextet of mostly former bandmates on Monday at the Freight & Salvage. The group features Jeff Cressman and daughter Natalie on trombones, guitarist Will Bernard, drummer Deszon X. Claiborne, and bassist Patrice Blanchard, playing music that is always fresh, stimulating, and often challenging. 8 p.m., $18.50/$19.50. TheFreight.org
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