HIP (Hosting Improvising Performers) Fest returns to the Blue Nile tonight, November 11, and tomorrow, November 12, to bring New Orleans two nights of brilliant jazz improv.

This annual festival is put on by N.O.I.S.E. (New Orleans International Soundexchange), a non-profit organization whose aim is to encourage cross-talk between the musicians of New Orleans and those of the vast international community by sponsoring concerts that feature local and international acts alongside one another.

HIP Fest is one such event. The internationally-acclaimed visitors include trombonist Gianluca Petrella, bassist William Parker, and cornetist/electro-acoustic composer Rob Mazurek.

The local talent includes trombonist Jeff Albert, bassist Nathan Lambertson, acoustic bassist James Singleton, guitarist Cliff Hines, saxophonist Brad Walker, clarinetist/saxophonist Aurora Nealand, and drummers Marcello Benetti, Dave Cappello, Simon Lott, Paul Thibodeaux, and Johnny Vidacovich.

Tonight’s performances will consist of six duo/trio improvisation performances that combine visiting artists with local artists. The acts will be:

Gianluca Petrella and Jeff Albert

Rob Mazurek, Nathan Lambertson, and Simon Lott

William Parker and James Singleton

Gianluca Petrella, Cliff Hines, and Marcello Benetti

Rob Mazurek and Cliff Hines

William Parker, Jeff Albert, and Dave Cappello

On Wednesday night, Brad Walker will open with a concert featuring Paul Thibodeaux, Aurora Nealand, and James Singleton. To close the event, the three visitors will perform with Johnny Vidacovich.

Tickets are available from www.noise-nola.org and are $12.50 per night in advance. They are available for $15 per night at the door.

Doors open at 8 p.m. both nights.