MATT DRISCOLL: SMOOTH OPERATORS AT THE EQC >>>

There are many words one can use to describe the Emerald Queen Casino â€" like smoker’s heaven, or a big money toilet, or constantly full â€" but this weekend you can add another word to the list: Smooth. That’s because semi-legendary Tacoma Jazz guitarist Ed Taylor and his band the Smooth Operators (why does that always make me think off those old Norelco commercials?) will be saddling up at the Emerald Queen on Saturday, and the results are sure to be, well, smooth. Taylor is a jazz master â€" one of the reasons it’s not surprising to find a glossary of scholarly jazz terms on his Web site â€" and when the guitar man plugs in the results are always enjoyable and relaxing â€" not to mention smooth. All right already, enough with the word smooth. Just check out Taylor and his band tonight if you get a chance.

[Emerald Queen Casino, 9 p.m., $20-$40, 2024 E. 29th St., Tacoma, 253.594.7777]