The third annual Festival of New Trumpet Music begins this week, once again focusing on the various trumpeters-composers-bandleaders who are contributing so much to the current jazz scene. Once again, the festival is curated by founders Dave Douglas, Roy Campbell Jr., and Jon Nelson. This year’s program, which transpires at the Jazz Standard this week and then resumes at Tonic on August 12, is dedicated to the late Lester Bowie, one of the leading lights of the postmodern trumpet world. Here are this week’s highlights:

Tonight The most anticipated evening of the series features the trios led by Bill Dixon and Herb Robertson. Mr. Dixon is a veritable legend of the jazz avant-garde, and the FONT fest has brought him back to the forefront.

Wednesday Two interesting, unpredictable young players take charge: Graham Haynes, who can play everything from ambient music to the bebop of his father (drummer Roy Haynes), and the Vietnamese Cuong Vu, known for his work with Pat Metheny.

Thursday In one of several specific dedications to Lester Bowie, Mr. Douglas brings his exciting Brass Ecstasy band, inspired by Bowie’s Brass Fantasy Band. Like the Fantasy, the Ecstasy plays R&B standards as well as jazz originals. Corey Wilkes, who currently holds the trumpet chair once filled by Bowie in the Art Ensemble of Chicago, will also perform.

Friday In the first of two triple bills, Los Angeles free jazz pioneer Bobby Bradford makes a rare New York appearance with the marvelous Marty Ehrlich; Dennis Gonzalez’s Radio Brass band combines two trumpets, trombone, French horn, tenor saxophone, tuba, and drums; and conductor scholar Greg Tate leads a brass-centric edition of his Burnt Sugar, the Arkestra Chamber.

Saturday Two heavyweight veterans in the world of avant-garde trumpet take over with their quartets: Baikida Carroll with the equally fine Tim Berne on alto saxophone, and festival director Roy Campbell with his foursome, Tazz. At 11:30 p.m., Steven Bernstein unveils another of his witty ensembles, Spanish Fly.

Sunday Randy Sandke has assembled a particularly luminous lineup for his Metatonal Band, with Scott Robinson, Ted Rosenthal, Steve LaSpina, and John Riley performing Mr. Sandke’s new six part suite, “The Mystic Trumpeter.” At 9:30 p.m., Mac Gollehon’s Smoking Section continues the month-long tribute to Bowie.