5 Live Music Musts - July 31, 2015
Ken Abrams, GoLocalProv Music Critic
5 Live Music Musts - July 31, 2015
We’re at the peak of the summer music season with all kinds of sounds happening around town this weekend. As you can see from our picks, there really is something for everyone this week on “5 Live Music Musts.”
Newport Jazz Festival Starts Today
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe Newport Jazz Festival starts today and runs all weekend. Over 50 acts are scheduled including headliners Chris Botti, Cassandra Wilson, Arturo Sandoval and Cecile McLorin Salvant. It’s a great line up as always and tickets are still available for all three days. You can still head down today for the “Emerging Artists” showcase– there’s usually less traffic, smaller crowds and tickets are only $40, $20 for children. Tickets Saturday and Sunday are $74.00 and music starts at 11AM each day. See more in our slide show below.
Pop/Punk Night at the Met Tonight
If jazz isn’t quite your thing, head to The Met tonight for RI Pop Punk Covers Night. The concept show includes four local bands … playing songs of four well known bands; among them Senior Discount (as Blink 182), Soundoff (as Green Day), Rob from The Pogs and John from Bad Larry. The music begins at 8:30, tickets are $10 and are available at the door.
Boz Scaggs at Twin River Saturday
Tomorrow night, 70’s star Boz Scaggs plays the Twin River Events Center. Scaggs is known for his hits “Lido Shuffle” and “Lowdown,” from the top selling 1976 album Silk Degrees. He continues to put out new music and in 2013 released the critically acclaimed Memphis, featuring covers and originals inspired by the Tennessee city. Tickets are still available here starting at $35. The all ages show begins at 8PM.
Lydia Loveless at Narrows Sunday
Lydia Loveless is part of new wave of young country singer-songwriters who are infusing a little edge and a lot of passion into the genre. Her punk influenced sound is probably best characterized as alt-county, and her music was described in Rolling Stone as “somewhere between Loretta Lynn and Patti Smith slamming shots at a Midwestern dive bar while cowboys and punks brawl out back.” Tickets are $20 in advance, $23 at the Narrows Center Sunday at 8PM. Opening act, the Bob Kendall Band, promises no shots or brawling out back.
American Idols at The Vets Monday
The American Idol champions are bringing their show to The Vets on Monday. This may be the last time to see them on tour as the popular show is scheduled to end after this season. The top five from 2015 will be performing – Champion Nick Fradiani of nearby Guilford, CT along with top challengers Jax, Tyanna, Jayvon, and Clark. Expect a fun night of music – tickets are still available starting at $43. Music begins at 7PM.
10 "Don't Miss" Acts at Newport Jazz
Cassandra Wilson
Award winning singer Cassandra Wilson returns to the Festival with a special show, dedicated to legendary vocalist Billie Holiday. Wilson, herself among the all time great jazz singers, expands the boundaries of jazz incorporating blues, pop and even country. She’ll be on the main Fort Stage Saturday at 3:50 and then sing again that night at the Gala event at The Breakers.
Snarky Puppy
Brooklyn, NY based Snarky Puppy returns this year after a phenomenal performance at last year’s Festival. They’re one of many crossover acts, notably more R&B than jazz. They’ll be sure to keep the party going when they play Friday on the Fort Stage at 5:00.
Arturo Sandoval
Cuban born trumpeter Arturo Sandoval is a living legend in Latin Jazz. He's won 10 Grammy awards and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013. He's scored several films including the HBO film, For Love or Country, a movie based on his life. He'll be playing the Fort Stage at 3:45 on Sunday.
Bria Skonberg
Bria Skonberg is part of the fine tradition of trumpeter/vocalists sharing that honor with artists like Louis Armstrong and Chet Baker. Along with other trumpeters at the Festival, expect her to be part of the celebration of the Miles Davis release. Skonberg and her band The Jazz Compatriots, are scheduled to play Friday at 1:35 on the Harbor Stage.(Photo: Tom Concordia)
Kenny Garrett
With the focus on Miles Davis and the many great trumpeters playing the Festival this year, Kenny Garrett stands out as a leading saxophonist. He's perhaps the best interpreter of John Coltrane in the jazz world today. He plays Saturday at 4:10 on the Harbor Stage.
Christian McBride
Christian McBride is one of the top bass players on the scene today. He's crossed genres numerous times playing with artists Carly Simon, Sting, and Don Henley. In the jazz world, he's accompanied Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Sonny Rollins and others. He's bringing his trio with Christian Sands and Ulysses Owens to the Quad Stage Friday at 4:50.
Dr. John
Dr. John returns with his band the Night Trippers after an illness forced a last minute cancelation last year. He's famous for his FM radio hit, "Right Place, Wrong Time," and is one of several major crossover artists playing this year. Expect to hear a lot from his new album, honoring fellow New Orleans musician Louis Armstrong. He plays the Fort Stage at 2:15 Sunday. (Photo: Bruce Weber)
Maria Schneider
Multiple Grammy winner Maria Schneider has been hailed as the next great woman in jazz. She’s a composer and bandleader known for merging genres from classical to pop. The Minnesota native recently released a critically acclaimed album The Thompson Fields. She’s performing on the Fort Stage at 1PM on Saturday.
Chris Botti
Chris Botti is one of the most in demand Jazz musicians in the world today. He's played with artists as diverse as Andrea Bocelli, Vince Gill, and Mark Knopfler. He's had four #1 jazz albums including his latest, Impressions. He's playing the Friday evening show at the Tennis Hall of Fame. (Photo: Fabrizio Ferri)
The Kids
Those who arrive early each day will experience some jazz artists of the future. Friday features the University of Rhode Island Newport Big Band and the Berklee College Jazz Orchestra. Saturday, check out RI’s best with the RI Music Educators Association All-State Jazz Ensemble, and Sunday, check out the Massachusetts Music Educators Association All-State Jazz Band. Finally, don’t miss Joey Alexander, the 12 year old pianist who has taken the jazz world by storm on Saturday at 2:15 on the Storyville stage.
