No fooling around — Some of San Diego’s best songwriters gather at the Casbah
On Sept. 4, The Casbah will be the site of “Fools and Friends,” a gathering of some of the area’s best singer-songwriters. The night’s impressive bill will be topped by Alex Bergan, winner of the San Diego Music Awards category, “Best Country or Americana Song,” for the past two years in a row, with additional performances from Sutton James, Gayle Skidmore, Justin John Rodriguez, C. Gibbs, Stucky Leigh, Jesse Lamonaca, Shelbi Bennett, The Wellsprings, and many more. All the artists are well worth hearing; however, it should be noted that Bergan will be moving from our area soon, so fans shouldn’t pass up an opportunity to catch one of his live sets before he heads on out.
- Fools and Friends: Friday, Sept. 4 at The Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd. 8 p.m. $25.
Sí, go see Tijuana No!
Put ska, rock and punk in a blender and you’ve pretty much got the sound of Rock en Español favorites Tijuana No!, who play Music Box on Sept. 4. The band hasn’t issued music in some time, but they remain an immensely popular live act, with a manic stage presence. The night’s crowd will be up dancing as soon as Tijuana No! hits the stage, but you can expect the show’s biggest cheer to be for their 1993 hit, “Pobre de Ti.” Practically a mini Rock en Español festival, this show will also include short sets from Marujah, Giga Rat, Los Hijos Del Santo, and El Funeral.
- Tijuana No: Friday, Sept. 4 at Music Box, 1337 India St., 8 p.m. $27.
Sol Sacrifice at Winston’s
Anyone who appreciates Latin rock will want to check out Sol Sacrifice, who perform at Winston’s on Sept. 4. Essentially a Santana tribute group, the band’s sound is a bit more expansive than that, also performing hits from the likes of El Chicano and Cream. As for the Santana material, Sol Sacrifice does a terrific job of replicating the legendary guitarist’s sound, with a set that spans his entire career from Woodstock in 1969 to more recent hits with the likes of Rob Thomas.
- Sol Sacrifice: Friday, Sept. 4 at Winston’s, 1921 Bacon St., 7 p.m. $10.
Sande Lollis’s says goodbye to San Diego
Guitarist and composer Sande Lollis has been a beloved part of San Diego’s Americana scene for over a decade, performing both solo and with the group Enter the Blue Sky. Unfortunately for her local fans, she’ll soon be relocating to Tennessee, but first she’ll be performing a special farewell to San Diego Show at the Normal Heights United Methodist Church on Sept. 4. For this show Lollis will be joined by local all-stars Cathryn Beeks, Jeff Berkley, Danny Campbell, Jason Littlefield, Bonnie Nicholls, and Shawn Rohlf, with the nature of the event sure to draw out more musical notables. It’s hoped that Lollis will eventually return for a show or two, but in the meantime, this concert is a wonderful way to say goodbye to a gifted singer-songwriter.
- Sande Lollis: Friday, Sept. 4, at Normal Heights United Methodist Church, 4650 Mansfield St., 6 p.m. $25.
Straight outta the UK — The Charlatans UK at the House of Blues
Touring in support of their new album, “We Are Love,” The Charlatans UK take the stage at the House of Blues on Sept. 5. The British group is best known stateside for their string of early 1990s hits such as “The Only One I Know” and “Weirdo,” mixing Hammond organ, soul and plenty of groove. As heard on their latest release, they’ve never stopped turning out great music. Featuring bassist Martin Blunt, singer Tim Burgess, guitarist Mark Collins and keyboardist Tony Rogers, three decades later the Charlatans UK still deliver the goods, with their most recent single, “Deeper and Deeper,” being a hook-filled, hard-edged dance floor filler.
- The Charlatans UK: Saturday, Sept. 5 at the House of Blues, 1055 10th Ave., 7 p.m. $40 and up.
Jazz it up: Gilbert Castellanos
Jazz aficionados won’t want to miss a performance from educator and trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos and the 17-piece KSDS Jazz Orchestra at the Rady Shell on Sept. 5. The concert celebrates the evolution of Latin jazz, with the night’s set list going back to the music’s roots, featuring songs from iconic artists Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins and Dizzy Gillespie. The evening’s highlights will include selections such as the standard, “Night in Tunisia,” and “Manteca.” The latter, written in 1947 by Gillespie and arranger Gil Fuller with Cuban percussionist Chano Pozo, features a dynamic big band arrangement that should have the Rady Shell’s audience up on their feet from the first few notes. Early attendees of this concert will be treated to a set from students of Castellanos Music Academy, the Young Lions Jazz Conservatory All-Stars, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
- Gilbert Castellanos & The KSDS Jazz Orchestra: Saturday, Sept. 5 at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way. 7:30 p.m. $48 and up.
Pacific Soul Jazz Fest
UCSD’s Epstein Family Theatre will host the inaugural, two-day “Pacific Soul Jazz Festival” on Sept. 5 and 6. Headliners across the weekend include such national artists as five-time Grammy-winning keyboardist Robert Glasper, acclaimed R&B singer Kenny Lattimore, chart-topping saxophonist Mindi Abair, and contemporary instrumental musician Karen Briggs, aka violinist “The Lady in Red.” Local talent will also be represented. One of Saturday’s highlights promises to be a rare appearance from The Lyrical Groove, featuring Kendrick Dial and Brisa Lauren, whose soulful blend of spoken word, beats, jazz, and hip hop elements is never less than captivating. In addition to all the great music, this event will also serve as a fundraiser supporting arts and cultural education programs, as well as scholarship opportunities for eligible students.
- The Pacific Soul Jazz Festival: Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 5 and 6 at the Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9500 Gilman Drive. Noon – 8 p.m. $40 and up.
The Dead Kennedys are far from dead
Legendary punk band, The Dead Kennedys, open their next tour on Sept. 6 at the Observatory. Featuring founding members, guitarist East Bay Ray and bassist Klaus Flouride, joined by drummer Steve Wilson and singer Ron “Skip” Greer, The Dead Kennedys deliver an excellent, adrenaline-charged set comprised of classic songs from the group’s initial run. While the Dead Kennedys haven’t released new music since their initial split in 1986, their confrontational/observational / politically inspired lyrics in songs such as “Police Truck,” “California Uber Alles,” and “Holiday in Cambodia” still pack a punch. Making this show a must for fans of original punk groups, San Francisco-based combo Flipper and San Diego’s own The Zeros open the show.
- Dead Kennedys: Sunday, Sept. 6 at The Observatory, 2871 University Ave., 7 p.m. $39 and up.
Summer Organ Fest’s Labor Day Rock Fest
One of San Diego’s funnest annual traditions, The San Diego International Summer Organ Festival’s Labor Day Classic Rock Concert, returns to the Spreckels’s Organ Pavillion on Sept. 7. This show is a treat for music fans, pairing a group of the area’s best musicians, here collectively performing under the name, Organ-Ism, with the world’s largest outdoor pipe organ, played by San Diego Civic Organist Raúl Prieto Ramírez, for a 90-minute run through of sing-a-long favorites. Ramirez will be joined by guitarist Ben Zinn, bassist Harley Magsino, and drummer Richard Larson, as well as singers Chloe Lou, William Fleming and Lauren Leigh. It’s a fast-paced performance, mixing songs by keyboard-driven combos such as The Doors and Deep Purple, with less obvious choices by the likes of Tina Turner, Dire Straits and Aretha Franklin. This show is the perfect family-friendly activity for a warm, end-of-summer evening.
- The 38th San Diego International Summer Organ Festival – Labor Day Classic Rock Concert: Monday, Sept. 7 at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, 2125 Pan American Road E. 7:30 – 9 p.m. Free.
The Atlanta Rhythm Section grooves into the Belly up
1970s era hitmakers, the Atlanta Rhythm Section, stop in at the Belly Up Tavern on Sept. 9. The current edition of the group features original singer Rodney Justo, alongside latter-day band members, including lead guitarist Steve Stone, bassist Justin Senker, and drummer Rodger Stephan. Although the Atlanta Rhythm Section has continued to release new music throughout the decades, most recently the 2010 album, “With All Due Respect,” this road trip is based around the band’s greatest hits circa 1977 – 1979, with “So Into You,” “Imaginary Lover,” and “Spooky” all sure to be included in the show.
- Atlanta Rhythm Section: Wednesday, Sept. 9 at The Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., 8 p.m., $56 and up.
