Here are the shows I want to go to (though simultaneous gigs make it impossible to see all):
Guitarist Matthew Stevens played at Pinhook a couple of years ago right after being a sideman at that's year AOCF, & he was quite good. Check this profile of him & his music on this link.
Drummer Makaya McCraven & Trumpeter Marquis Hill, two Chicago-based musicians, weave jazz & jazzish melody/improv with contemporary funkish rhythms. If you enjoyed electric Miles music, it's worth checking these out in their individual performances at AOCF. Check them playing together here.
Unfortunately...
Trumpeter Christian Scott overlaps with the above. He's one of my favorite contemporary musicians, having heard him twice live at Beyu & having listened to his latest CD. And, he's an ebullient character. Here he is playing Coltrane's "Equinox" (with equally fine Braxton Cook on alto); here he is being less traditional. Whatever he plays at AOCF, it'll be exciting.
The Revive Big Band played at AOCF I, mixing more standard big band playing with threads of hip-hop, a fine combo that. Here is an example of their work.
The jazz--& the rest of the music--at Art of Cool is about adventure. So go explore!