New Orleans International Sound Exchange’s (N.O.I.S.E.) annual HIP Fest returns September 22-23rd with shows at the Blue Nile and the CAC.

HIP Fest (the “HIP” stands for “Hosting International Performers”) celebrates improvisation and unconventional musical combinations. It fosters cross-cultural musical dialogue by uniting renowned international musicians with New Orleans talent.

Participating local stars this year include trombonist Jeff Albert, drummer Marcello Benetti, percussionist Mike Dillon, cellist Helen Gillet, trombonist Mark McGrain, doublebass player Nobu Ozaki, pianist Oscar Rossignoli, and drummer Brad Webb.

The visiting artists coming in for the event are acclaimed nationally and internationally for their boundary-pushing work.

Vijay Iyer, who Village Voice has called “the most commanding pianist and composer to emerge in recent years,” was named Downbeat’s 2015 Jazz Artist of the Year. Tyshawn Sorey was named Downbeat’s 2015 Rising Star drummer and is also an acclaimed composer, percussionist, trombonist, pianist, scholar, and educator. Alto saxophonist Steve Lehman was the 2014 recipient of the prestigious Doris Duke Artist Award and Downbeat’s 2015 Rising Star Award for jazz musicians. Finally, the only visiting artist to be featured solo is Fabrizio Puglisi, a globetrotting pianist/composer who has recorded over fifty CDs and collaborated with nearly as many notable artists.

Tuesday, September 22nd is “duo and trio night” at the Blue Nile and features locals and visitors performing together in small combinations.

The first set will be:

FABRIZIO PUGLISI (piano) with Mark McGrain (trombone)

TYSHAWN SOREY (drums) with Oscar Rossignoli (piano)

STEVE LEHMAN (sax) with Nobu Ozaki (doublebass) and Brad Webb (drums)

The second set will be:

TYSHAWN SOREY (trombone) with Jeff Albert (tromb.) and Mark McGrain (tromb.)

STEVE LEHMAN (sax) with Helen Gillet (cello)

FABRIZIO PUGLISI (piano) with Mike Dillon (vibe) and Marcello Benetti (drums)

The show begins at 9 p.m. and cover is $10 at the door.

The show at the CAC the following evening focuses on the visiting musicians, opening with a solo piano set by Puglisi and following up with a performance by Iyer, Lehman, and Sorey’s three-man project Fieldwork.

The show starts at 8 p.m. and costs $25 ($20 for students, seniors, and CAC members.)

Visit http://www.cacno.org/ or call (504) 528-3800 for tickets or more information.