Even if the record industry is inarguably suffering the consequences of its long-term commitment to shortsightedness and mediocrity, the live jazz scene in New York is thriving. Not only are all the major clubs and long-established cultural institutions (Jazz at Lincoln Center, the 92nd Street Y, Carnegie Hall) presenting as much of the music as they can cram onto a calendar, other venues, such as Symphony Space, the Rubin Museum, and Town Hall, are stepping up their schedules of jazz events.

The opening salvo of the daylight saving time season may well be Ornette Coleman returning to Town Hall (March 28), the scene of his 1962 triumph. Town Hall is also presenting trumpeter Jon Faddis leading an all-star jam session (April 23), featuring several different ensembles, and producer-arranger Bob Belden’s ambitious “Miles [Davis] … From India” project (May 9).

All around the city, jazz is celebrating its diversity as well as its roots: One can’t help but notice a lot of pan-American activity this spring, notably at Birdland’s Bossabrasil Festival (April 15–19), which teams Brazilian stars including Cesar Camargo Mariano and João Bosco with local heroes such as tenorist Harry Allen. The following week, Cuban trumpeter Arturo Sandoval comes to Birdland (April 22). Then Dizzy’s is presenting its own week-long bossa nova-centric event, “Samba Jazz and the Music of Jobim,” with Brazilians Helio Alves, Duduka Da Fonseca, and Maucha Adnet performing alongside trumpeter Claudio Roditi from Cuba, and bassist Eddie Gomez, who hails from Puerto Rico (April 29).

Heading toward a different point of origin, Jazz at Lincoln Center is promising us a gospel-centric weekend in the form of a two-ring circus. In the main room (Rose Hall), Wynton Marsalis and the JALC Orchestra join with the Abyssinian Baptist Church Choir in celebration of the church’s 200th anniversary (April 10–12). In the Allen Room, Eric Reed’s Trio feels the spirit with the original Edwin Hawkins Singers. Oh happy day!

I’m particularly jazzed that two legendary 80-plus-year-old saxophone colossi are doing doubleheaders in New York: The remarkable Frank Wess is headlining with his Quintet at the Village Vanguard (April 29) and then with his Celebration Nonet at Dizzy’s a month later (June 3); both bands feature the underappreciated trumpeter Terrell Stafford. Lee Konitz is also working with his trio and guest pianist Danilo Perez at Jazz Standard (April 1) as well as with a quintet at Dizzy’s (June 17).

It’s not only the veterans who are appearing with different ensembles in different venues: The worthy young saxophonist-composer Chris Byars is giving his new work, “Jazz Pictures at an Exhibition of Himalayan Art,” a premiere at the Rubin Museum (April 18); he will then be bringing his two-horn, two-rhythm quartet to Dizzy’s for a free Saturday afternoon offering (May 3).

The most eagerly anticipated jazz comeback of the season also features Mr. Byars, who is playing with the legendary vibraphonist Teddy Charles at the Vanguard (March 25) — he hasn’t appeared in New York in a dog’s age. Vibes are apparently in the air that week, since contemporary mallet master Joe Locke is bringing his Henry Mancini program to Dizzy’s (also starting March 25).

In terms of other instrumental gatherings, there’s an impressive lineup of cutting-edge, big-toned tenors at Birdland: Ravi Coltrane (March 25), David Murray’s Black Saint Quartet (April 30), Pharoah Sanders (May 13), and James Carter (May 21). Likewise, there are outstanding pianists practically climbing out of the woodwork: Marc Copland in Gary Peacock’s trio (May 19–22 at Birdland); Carla Bley in a rare appearance with her Lost Chords trio (also at Birdland, April 8); Cedar Walton fronting a star-studded quartet with Javon Jackson, Christian McBride, and Jimmy Cobb (April 10 at the Iridium), and the indefatigable Cyrus Chestnut who, in the last few months, has appeared at every venue in the city, with Manhattan Trinity at Carnegie’s Zankel Hall (April 2) and with Frank Wess at Dizzy’s (June 3). Bill Charlap is returning for his now-traditional two-week run at the Vanguard (May 20) with his superlative trio. Two piano superstars arrive for biggish concerts in the form of Chick Corea at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium with Bobby McFerrin and Jack DeJohnette (April 23), and the legendary Dave Brubeck (May 15) at Highlights in Jazz.

In addition to the usual suspects, there are several big-band events well worth checking out: The fine student ensemble Jazz Band Classics is offering a much deserved evening of music by the brilliant Bill Holman (March 28) at Symphony Space, where guitar great Bucky Pizzarelli is doing a date with a classical student orchestra on May 4. Christian McBride brings his large-scale ensemble to Highlights in Jazz (April 17). On June 11, the wonderful multi-reed player and composer Bob Wilber gets his due at an 80th-birthday concert, produced by clarinetist Dan Levinson. From where I stand, that looks to be the last major jazz event in the city before the big JVC and Vision open this summer in New York.

wfriedwald@nysun.com