Music from the Great American Songbook to jazz giants such as Clark Terry and Al Hirt will be the focus of “The Art of Jazz Series” from 6 to 9 p.m., Friday, March 17.

The Emerson Art Gallery, 16930 E. Palisades Blvd., will be the location.

The Mike Vax Quartet, featuring Vax on trumpet, Tony Vacca on sax; Yanni Goudelis, keyboard, and Selwyn Reams, bass, will perform two music sets from 7 to 9 p.m.

A pre-concert event from 6 to 7 p.m. will feature local author Anne A. Wilson talking about the art of writing and autographing copies of her latest book, “Clear to Lift.”

Wilson’s second novel features Navy helicopter pilot Lt. Alison Malone, who is assigned to a search and rescue team in Nevada. Malone’s adventure is a compelling story of danger, love, and self-discovery. The main character of Wilson’s debut novel, “Hover,” is also a female helicopter pilot.

General admission tickets are $20 and $25 at the door. Tickets can be ordered online at jazzinthehills.org.

Proceeds from Jazz in the Hills events support high school jazz education.

Jazz in the Hills is a 501 3C organization and has presented live jazz in town for 20 years.