NewUrbanJazz, now in its third season, is gaining traction with audiences, and the word is out among local artists of national stature that the concert series is a useful forum for delving into formats they don’t often explore.

This year the Rolling Stones, the Beach Boys, the Chieftains and El Gran Combo become among the first living pop bands to turn 50.

A Brooklyn vagabond plugs in.

New albums by Kari Jobe, Mohombi, Kellie Pickler, Bhi Bhiman and Jason Boland & the Stragglers.

The chamber sextet yMusic specializes in breaking down barriers between genres, which keeps its members very busy, including an appearance at the Ecstatic Music Festival this week.