Bob James and David Sanborn with Steve Gadd Saxophonist David Sanborn has played with famous artists from every genre imaginable — David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, the Grateful Dead, Billy Joel, and Eric Clapton are just a few. For this concert he will be joined by keyboardist Bob James, drummer Steve Gadd, and bassist James Genus. (AC) davidsanborn.com
Brad Turner Quartet Canadian artist Brad Turner is a triple threat on drums, piano, and trumpet. His compositions are airy but not frivolous, exploratory without leaving the audience wishing for its GPS. (FD) bradturnermusic.com
Carmen Souza London-based Carmen Souza's voice is quite elastic as it weaves around in elegant swirls between a flurry of irresistible scat topped off with a Nina Simone warble/vibrato. Her guitar and piano work is rather understated as it gives way to her voice, but is no less jaw-dropping. (FD) myspace.com/carmensouza
Culture Clash with Carl Atkins Before directing the music program at Rochester Institute of Technology, saxophonist Carl Atkins was known for his leadership roles with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Hochstein School of Music. Over his career Atkins has also co-directed the Thelonious Monk Institute and played with Ray Charles, Herbie Hancock, and Jaki Byard. (RN)
Dirty Dozen Brass Band Dirty Dozen's blend of funk, jazz, and R&B will make you want to party. The band's songs are defined by a funky bass line and fast beat combined with high-energy horns that will leave your head spinning. (AC) dirtydozenbrass.com
Garland Jeffreys Band He was part of the more subversive side to New York's folk scene in the late 1960's, rubbed elbows with a pre-Velvet Lou Reed, and played guitar on John Cale's "Vintage Violence." Jeffreys often tackles difficult topics based on race and life through the eyes of a musician. (FD) garlandjeffreys.com
Gem City Based in Dayton, Ohio, Gem City plays a mix of rock, funk and jazz. The group is half-rock band, half-jazz band, with horns blaring alongside guitar riffs. Gem City has opened for artists like Lupe Fiasco and The Werks. (AC) gemcityhorns.com
Herb Smith He is the third trumpet with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, but Herb Smith's range extends well beyond classical music. The Eastman School of Music professor has played with Al Jarreau, Natalie Cole, Yes, Doc Severinsen, The O'Jays, and other top acts. (RN) herbtrumpet.com
Howard Levy Howard Levy's harmonica technique helped Bela Fleck and the Flecktones find its signature sound. Levy has won two Grammys and played with greats like Kenny Loggins, Dolly Parton, Styx, and Paul Simon. His music blends Latin, jazz, funk, and classical elements. (AC) levyland.com
Jacob Karlzon & Viktoria Tolstoy Though I don't believe in man-made structures built to trap god, when swell Swede Viktoria Tolstoy (Leo's great-granddaughter) performed in the Lutheran Church at the Jazz Fest a few years back, it made the concept of the divine a bit more plausible. This year Tolstoy will be accompanied on piano by Jacob Karlzon. (FD) jacobkarlzon.com,viktoriatolstoy.com
Mingo Fishtrap Folks can get touchy when it comes to their soul and r&b. If you stray too far from it, you lose them. If you adhere to tradition too hard, they're gone. However, if you get funky and do it right, they'll flock to you. Join the flock as this Texas band gets up and gets down. (FD) mingofishtrap.com
Ravi Coltrane Quartet OK, he's John Coltrane's kid. There, we said it. And certainly musical talent runs in families, but Ravi Coltrane is his own man. He's a post-bop, angular, free-wheeling saxophonist who emits sweet bursts of melody with antagonistic honks, as if he's off on a kind of search for something. Be there when he finds it. (FD) ravicoltrane.com
Rudresh Mahanthappa's Gamak See feature on page 34. rudreshm.com
Scottish National Jazz Orchestra The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra has mastered the playing styles of classic big bands, like the ones run by Ellington and Basie. They have studied Monk, Mingus, Davis, and Coltrane. Latin and modern jazz are no challenge, either. Whether tackling standards or movie scores, these musicians make their predecessors proud. (AC) snjo.co.uk
Soul Stew Marvin Gaye, James Brown, and Teddy Pendergrass may be gone, but Soul Stew is keeping their music alive and funkin'. Made up of the top studio musicians in Toronto and featuring the powerful lead vocals of Michael Dunston, Soul Stew will see to it that you get up offa that thing. (RN) myspace.com/torontosoulstew
Zoe Rahman An extraordinary pianist with British and Bengali heritage, Zoe Rahman studied classical piano at the Royal Academy of Music and attended Oxford University before crossing the Atlantic to hone her skills at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Since then Rahman has collaborated with artists like George Mraz and Courtney Pine. (RN) zoerahman.com
