Jazz is not all about chops, though they certainly help. Heart, imagination, a sense of history and plenty of sonic experiences are also integral components.

All of these elements come into play in huge fashion with pianist Victor Gould, who brings his trio Saturday to the Side Door Jazz Club in Old Lyme. A longtime member of both Wallace Roney's band and the Donald Harrison Quartet, Gould has played, too, with Terence Blanchard, Branford Marsalis, Nicholas Payton, Esperanza Spalding, and Ralph Peterson. He's also a featured performer on two 2015 albums, Holger Scheidt's "The Tides of Life" and John Petrucelli's "The Way."

Accompanying Gould will be bassist Erik Wheeler and drummer Rodney Green. Plus, given Gould's circle of musical pals, you just never know who might show up to sit it. That's a hint.

— Rick Koster

Victor Gould Trio, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Side Door Jazz Club, Old Lyme Inn, 85 Lyme St., Old Lyme; $28; (860) 434-0886.