When legendary drummer Elvin Jones brings his jazz Machine to New Orleans this month, half of the sextet won't have far to travel. That's because three of the six musicians -- trumpeter Nicholas Payton, flautist Kent Jordan, and saxophonist Greg Tardy -- live right here in New Orleans.

They, along with pianist Willie Pickens and bassist Brad Jones, make up the latest edition of the Jazz Machine, which will be in town to perform at the Woody Herman Room in the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Oct. 16...