If you don’t watch the animated comedy “Futurama,” you probably aren’t familiar with a “holophonor.” According to the show, which is set in the 31st century, a holophonor is an oboe-like instrument that also serves as a holographic projector. If you’re like me — though you certainly appreciate the qualities of an oboe — the inventor might have had more fun if he or she had crossed the holographic projector with an electric guitar or even a bazooka.

None of this matters to the new jazz group called Holophonor — a septet of incredibly gifted U.S. and South American musicians who write collaboratively and distill all types of influences into a dazzling new product. The players — saxophonist Josh Johnson, vibrophonist Diego Urbano, trumpeter Mike Cottone, trombonist Eric Miller, pianist Miro Sprague, drummer Jonathan Pinson and bassist Dave Robaire — all met as students in UCLA’s excellent Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance.

A blend of virtuosity, improv and always accessible melodicism, Holophonor is touring behind their self-titled inaugural CD and perform Friday in the Side Door Jazz Club in the Old Lyme Inn.

— Rick Koster

Holophonor, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Side Door Jazz Club, Old Lyme Inn, 85 Lyme St., Old Lyme; $35; (860) 434-0886.