For those people who can't take time off work for any of this month's major music festivals, there are still plenty of options for live music across the country.

In particular, this month promises some great gigs for jazz enthusiasts. At the start of the month, pianists and singers Ben Sidran and Georgie Fame play Aug. 7-9 at the Cotton Club with back-up from the Don't Cry For No Hipster Band — named after Sidran's most recent album, and a shoo-in for "name of the year." (5 p.m., 8 p.m. start times; ticket cost ¥8,400; 03-3215-1555).

Also in the capital, Ueno Jazz Inn '13 is an all-day jazz event in Ueno Park on Aug. 3 (3:40 p.m. start; tickets cost ¥3,000 in adv.; 03-5685-0650); distinguished jazz trumpeter Terumasa Hino presents Jazz For Kids at Setagaya Public Theater on the weekend of Aug. 17 and 18, which will feature the Dream Jazz Band, a group of youngsters who are passionate about the genre (3 p.m. and 2 p.m. starts, tickets cost ¥4,500, children's tickets available; 03-5432-1515)