“Don’t play what’s there. Play what’s not there.” Such was the oft-repeated cryptic advice of jazz legend Miles Davis to his students.

One would hardly expect a young musician to translate such counsel, but on Feb. 14, you may very well hear “what’s not there” from just such a cohort.

Paramount Jazz returns to the Historic Paramount Theatre for not one but two shows just two Sundays from today, at 2 and 6 p.m.

After last year’s show nearly sold out, Austin High School’s Band Director, Bradley Mariska, decided to make the jump to two performances for the fourth annual concert. While the matinee and evening edition will be very similar, the 2 p.m. show will also feature a set by the Ellis Middle School Jazz Band.

“Both shows will feature a faculty combo and our guest artist, trombone soloist Scott Agster from the Twin Cities, [as well as] all three of the AHS jazz ensembles: Jazz One, Packer Jazz, and this year’s newest jazz ensemble, Scarlet Jazz,” Mariska said, also noting that Scarlet Jazz is comprised almost entirely of ninth grade students.

Although the show will largely focus on its eponymous genre, the band’s repertoire won’t be limited in terms of style, with setlists including quintessential rock anthems like “Freebird” as well as jazz classics “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” “My Funny Valentine,” and “When I Fall In Love.”

Ashley Harrington will also reprise her role as vocal soloist this year, having brought the house down with her rendition of “At Last” last February.

If you’ve just noticed a theme, though, it’s no coincidence. With Paramount Jazz hitting Valentine’s Day on the nose this year, Mariska and his colleagues are taking the opportunity to put audiences “in the mood.” (Yes, that was a Glenn Miller reference. No, I’m not sorry.)

And make no mistake: If this year’s show is anything like the previous three editions, it’s sure to turn even the most distant cynic among us into a hopeless romantic, however briefly.

How? Well, passion for one: What began as Mariska’s own deep-seated belief in the importance of sharing music with the community (versus limiting said sharing to school peers), has quickly led to a noticeable increase in young jazz fans.

“I love it when a kid comes to school and tells me about a Glenn Miller record they found at a thrift store or how they stumbled across a classic jazz performance on YouTube,” Mariska said.

If that’s not enough for you: in a recent round of self-assessments this month, another of Mariska’s musicians claimed as their favorite part of band, simply: “jazz.” To which their director, with equal simplicity, and perhaps in keeping with the spirit of the genre itself, replied, “Very cool.”

Those hoping to hear the translation need not do more than take a seat on Feb. 14.

Tickets are $7 in advance — $5 for students — and $9 the day of the show. Grab them online at austinareaarts.org or at the Austin ArtWorks Center (300 N Main St., open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. All tickets are good for either the 2 p.m. or the 6 p.m. show.