Whitney Shay’s Birthday Bash
On September 18, Lou Lou’s hosts a special birthday event for award-winning vocalist Whitney Shay. The night’s entertainment will be “A Tribute to Etta James,” with Shay joined by fellow singers Kori Gillis, Lauren Leigh and Rhea Makiaris, for a run through the blues legends’ catalog. Backed by a band that includes guitarist Joe Amato and pianist Ed Kornhauser, Shay and company will offer up terrific versions of James ‘ best-known songs, including “I’d Rather Go Blind” and “Tell Mama,” with the night’s biggest cheers sure to be for the wedding standard, “At Last.”
- Whitney Shay’s Birthday: Friday, September 18 at Lou Lou’s, 2223 El Cajon Boulevard. 8 p.m. $33 and up.
Post-punk and New Wave pioneer lands at the Sound
Former New Order and Joy Division bassist, Peter Hook, brings his new band, The Light, to The Sound on September 18. Set to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this November with his previous bands, the British musician’s current tour spotlights the best of his work with both, in two sets. A dream gig for longtime fans, Hook will open up the night with a performance of New Order’s 2001 album, “Get Ready,” in its entirety, followed by a lengthy second set featuring both New Order and Joy Division’s best-known songs, from “Love Will Tear Us Apart” to “Blue Monday.”
- Peter Hook & The Light: Friday, September 18 at The Sound, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. 8 p.m. $56.
A tribute to harpist Dorothy Ashby
Jazz aficionados won’t want to miss a special tribute to harpist Dorothy Ashby, taking place at Dizzy’s on September 18, featuring Ashby’s original music performed by Tasha Smith Godinez (harp), alongside Domenico Hueso (viola), Jesse Audelo (saxophone), Felipe Lopes (bass), Derek Cannon (trumpet), and Julien Cantelm (percussion). Previously not considered a lead instrument, Ashby is credited with bringing the harp to the forefront in jazz through a series of albums released starting in 1957. Her mastery of the instrument led to work on records by the likes of Stevie Wonder and Bill Withers, as well as such hit singles as Billy Preston and Syreeta Wright’s 1979 #4 hit, “With You I’m Born Again.” This event is the inaugural concert by the San Diego Harp Academy, a new non-profit organization with a focus on inspiring youth to play the harp.
- Dorothy Ashby Tribute: Friday, September 18 at Dizzy’s at Arias Hall, 1717 Morena Blvd. 8 p.m. $30.
Virtuosos at the La Jolla Community Center
Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich and bassist Ben Wanicur join forces for a concert at the La Jolla Community Center on September 18. A gifted, virtuoso player, Zlatkovich performs in various combinations around town, both solo and alongside the likes of Peter Sprague and Charles McPherson. Although considered a jazz player, Zlatkovich’s repertoire is much more expansive. For this free show, listeners will be treated to a mix of instrumental versions of tunes from the great American songbook and soundtrack favorites, as well as Zlatkovich’s own compositions. Anyone who appreciates great musicianship will be impressed by Zlatkovich’s playing. He makes it all seem effortless, but the volley of notes flying from his fingertips reveals true talent.
- Mikan Zlatkovich and Ben Wanicur: Friday, September 18 at the La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd. Noon. Free.
R&B icons Earth, Wind and Fire at the Civic Theatre
R&B icons Earth, Wind & Fire, perform at the Civic Theatre on September 19. Still featuring key players Verdine White (bass), Philip Bailey Sr. (lead vocals) and Ralph Johnson (percussion), the group is primarily a legacy touring act these days, with no album of new, original music released since 2013’s “Now, Then & Forever,” so the current road trip focuses primarily on their amazing run of hits from 1974 through 1981. R&B, 70’s pop, disco and dance fans will love Earth, Wind & Fire’s live set, but it’s hard to go wrong with a show that includes so many songs that are now considered standards, such as “Shining Star,” “Let’s Groove,” and “September.”
- Earth, Wind & Fire: Saturday, September 19 at The Civic Theatre, 3rd & B St., 8 p.m. $205 and up.
Capital of Craft Beer Fest
Anyone truly who enjoys a good adult beverage will want to head to The Capital of Craft Beer Fest, taking place at the Broadway Pier on September 19. Part of San Diego Beer Week, attendees at this event will have the opportunity to sample over 50 local craft breweries, with entertainment provided by cover band, 80’s Resurrection, and reunited late 90’s era punk combo, Agent 51. Both are a great soundtrack to this outdoor event, but the nod goes to Agent 51, with an excellent new album, “The Age of Validation,” and recent concerts showing them to still deliver an excellent high energy show with song hooks to match the bands manic energy.
- The Capital of Craft Beer Fest: Saturday, September 19 at Broadway Pier, 1000 N Harbor Dr., Noon. $42 and up.
One Croce to Another
Former San Diegan, A.J. Croce, returns to Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay on September 19 for what is billed as the final run of his acclaimed multi-media “Croce Plays Croce” tour. The show’s premise is simple: A.J. Croce performing songs made famous by his father, the late troubadour Jim Croce, who passed away in 1973. It’s a touching tribute, with great storytelling and heartfelt renditions of immortal, introspective, songs such as “I’ll Just Have to Say I Love You in Song,” “I Got a Name,” and “Time in a Bottle,” giving a wonderful overview of A.J.’s father’s music and life. A.J. Croce does include a handful of tracks from his own solo albums, as well as a few choice covers, in the show, but the main focus is squarely on the elder Croce’s tunes, with up-tempo favorites such as “Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown” and “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim,” sure to have the audience on their feet singing along from the first notes played.
- Croce Plays Croce: Saturday, September 19 at Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., Shelter Island. 7:30 p.m. $83 and up.
Girl Rock Rules
South Korean all-girl rock quintet, the Rolling Quartz, comes to Music Box for a special all-ages show on September 20. Singing in both Korean and English, the band delivers a high-octane show that takes in rock influences from Motley Crue to Queen. While the band does include the occasional cover song in their set list, the Rolling Quartz have an arsenal of catchy, like-minded originals, all topped by guitarist Hyunjung’s excellent fretwork.
- Rolling Quartz: Sunday, September 20 at Music Box, 1337 India Street. 7 p.m. $37 and up.
Brandi Carlile hits the Shell
Multiple Grammy and Emmy Award winner, singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile takes the stage at the Rady Shell on September 22. Out on tour in support of her latest release, “Returning To Myself,” Carlile’s current setlist reflects that focus, with the only song from her recent hit collaboration with Elton John, “You Without Me,” also featured on her solo album. Carlile is an engaging performer; her folk-inspired melodies, as well as reflective, observational lyrics, show her to be one of the stronger tunesmiths going today, in the tradition of latter-day Dylan and Joni Mitchell, though she can rock harder than either. If you haven’t heard Carlile’s music yet, this show, in one of the city’s most scenic concert settings, would be the perfect introduction to her songs.
- Brandi Carlile: Tuesday, September 22 at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way. 7 p.m. $175 and up.
Jeff Ousley’s Live Music Showcase
Music Fans looking to discover new talent in San Diego would do well to check out Jeff Ousley’s Live Music Showcase, next taking place on September 23 at Humphreys Backstage Live. Attendees always get four different curated acts, ranging from new original rock combos to cover bands, with this month’s performers set to include acoustic trio The Art Street Boys, Americana-tinged retro rockers Sidetracked, 60’s – 90’s cover band Appian Way, and singer-songwriter Brianna Grace. All are well worth hearing, but new music fans will want to arrive early for the set from the Art Street Boys, which features indie rock pioneer Andy Robinson, formerly with such notables as Horsefeathers, Elton Duck and Invisible Zoo.
- Jeff Ousley’s Live Music Showcase: Wednesday, September 23 at Humphreys Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., Shelter Island. 6 p.m. $5.
