When you discuss the finest traditional - that is to say, upright - jazz bassists who ever plucked four strings on our planet, first-ballot dudes would include Charles Mingus, Ray Brown, Ron Carter, Dave Holland, Paul Chambers, Charlie Haden and Christian McBride.

Is it arguable to add Ben Wolfe to that list?

Well, he's certainly in the discussion.

Wolfe has played in the Harry Connick, Jr. and Diana Krall bands, the Wynton Marsalis Sextet, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, and has appeared on sessions by Eric Reed, Ellis Marsalis, Diane Schurr and David Benoit - to name-drop a few.

Wolfe is also a leader and composer of renown. Of his fifth and latest CD, "No Strangers Here," the New York Times wrote, "In this music Mingus and Miles Davis meet Bartok and Bernard Herrmann." That's pretty intoxicating praise.

Tonight, Wolfe brings his Quartet - drummer Donald Edwards, saxophonist Stacy Dillard and pianist Emmet Cohen - to the Side Door Jazz Club in the Old Lyme Inn. This is a very cool opportunity.

- RICK KOSTER

Ben Wolfe Quartet, 8:30 tonight, Side Door Jazz Club, Old Lyme Inn, 85 Lyme St., Old Lyme; doors open at 7:30 p.m.; $28.50; (860) 434-0886.