If your Valentine is a jazz fan, forget the flowers and take in one of the many jazz events on tap, starting with the superb Either/Orchestra Saturday at the University of Denver's Newman Center.

Started in 1985 by saxophonist/arranger Russ Gershon, the Boston-based small big-band (which, over the years, has featured players such as pianist John Medeski and drummer Matt Wilson) has been exploring the sounds of Ethiopia, captured on the band's 2005 CD Ethiopiques. At the Newman Center, E/O explores those sounds with famed Ethiopian vocalist Mahmoud Ahmed.

The orchestra plays at 7:30 p.m., preceded by a 6:30 p.m. "Behind the Curtain" discussion of its music ($28-$52, 303-357-2787).

ALSO ON TAP: Also on Valentine's Day, trumpeter David Froman performs at Dazzle, 930 Lincoln St., with a strong quartet that has Ellyn Rucker on piano, Ken Walker on bass and Jill Fredericksen on drums. Froman, who plays with the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, hits the stage at 5 p.m. Saturday and wraps up at 10 p.m. ($37 for dinner and music/$27 for the food alone, 303-839-5100).

* Additionally, there are Valentine sounds Saturday at the Copper Field Events Chateau, 4901 Marshall St. in Wheat Ridge, from singer Lynn Skinner and pianist Bob Schlesinger at 8:45 p.m. ($15 with dessert, 303-239-6021).

* Warm up for Valentine's Day this evening at Dazzle at 7 and 9 p.m. with the Hidden Jewel Band, with Art Lande on piano, Paul McCandless on reeds and Austrian Gunter Wehinger on flute. Lande, who lives in these parts, is an outstanding player, while McCandless is known for his work with Oregon. ($12).

* Also tonight, Grammy-winning trumpeter Chris Botti, a leader on the crossover jazz scene, joins the Colorado Symphony at Boettcher Hall at 7:30 p.m. ($15-$73, 303-623-7876). Botti and the CSO reappear Sunday at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek ($75-$90, 888-920- 2787).

* From noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, come down from Valentine's Day in style with the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts and its annual Big Band Boogie Bash fundraiser at the Mercury Cafe, 2199 California St. ($15/$10, 303-294-9821). The music begins with the CCJA Big Band, followed by the University of Northern Colorado Jazz Lab I Band, the CU Boulder Jazz Ensemble I, the 9th + Lincoln Orchestra and the DU Lamont School Big Band and the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra.

* Monday, pianist Eric Gunnison leads his SoulFunktion group at Dazzle at 7 p.m. ($8). Vibes player Mike Dillon, who records for the Hyena label, returns to Dulcinea's 100th Monkey, 717 E. Colfax Ave., with his Go-Go Jungle band around 9 p.m. Tuesday (303-832-3601).

* At 7 and 9 p.m. Wednesday, singer/pianist Bonnie Lowdermilk celebrates the release of her new CD at Dazzle. Saxophonist Peter Sommer, bassist Walker and drummer Chris Lee will join Lowdermilk on stage.

* Also Wednesday, bassist Charles Burrell and three organizations receive the Mayor's 2008 Award for Excellence in the Arts in the Ellie Caulkins Opera House at 6:30 p.m. Pianist Purnell Steen's band Le Jazz Machine will perform at the free event.

* The musical week wraps up Thursday with singer/pianist Bob Dorough kicking off the first of his two-night visit to Dazzle at 7 and 9 p.m. ($15). The Arkansas-born player, 85, has written ballads such as Devil May Care.

Normanprovizer@aol.com