Alfredo Rodriguez See listing for Monday, June 24.
Anat Cohen See feature on page 22. anatcohen.com
Black Lillies The Black Lillies' music has a ton more honky-tonk and giddy-up than others that pick the grass blue. The band hails from Knoxville, Tennessee, and comes off deeply southern — in a good way — without a lick of irony to their spirited twang. (FD) theblacklillies.com
Calle Uno Calle Uno's got it all: punctuating horns, polyrhythmic percussionists, and a dynamic singer Robert Navarro. If you are an aficionado of salsa and merengue music, or you simply love to move and shake to an Afro-Cuban beat, your best bet at the XRIJF will be the hottest band this side of the Genesee. (RN)
David Byrne & St. Vincent This is an incredible collaboration between Talking Heads' main cabeza — or head Head — David Byrne and the stunning Annie Clark, who performs as St. Vincent. Within a brass-band format, this duo has created a sound that is awkwardly compelling, deliciously off-putting, grandiose, and brilliant. Want more adjectives? Buy a ticket. (FD) lovethisgiant.com
Djabe It's not hard to figure out why Djabe is the leading jazz-fusion band of Hungary. The group's name, which means "freedom" in the African Ashanti language, fits the group's approach. Djabe's music is filled with lush textures and appealing melodies, combining elements of world music, jazz, and Hungarian folk music. (RN) djabe.hu
Eero Koivistoinen Quartet Saxophonist Eero Koivistoinen has an unusual musical notation at the top of some of his works: Collective Cacophony Improvisation. But, as in the case of other excellent free jazz groups, it takes a great deal of skill, intuition, and flexibility to achieve a level of cacophony that's challenging, urgent, and rewarding. (RN) eerokoivistoinen.com
John Nyerges Quartet For the last 19 years John Nyerges has served as pianist at the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Pops concerts. A superb and in-demand keyboard player, he also plays in the Dave Rivello Ensemble, the Rick Holland/Evan Dobbins Little Big Band, the Madeline Forster Band, and other groups. (RN) johnnyerges.com
John Patitucci Trio Over the last three decades John Patitucci has been among the most in-demand bassists in jazz and pop music. He's enhanced the music of Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Stan Getz, and Wayne Shorter on the jazz scene, while supporting Bonnie Raitt, Carly Simon, Natalie Cole, and Sting on the pop side. (RN) johnpatitucci.com
Julian Arguelles Quartet Brit-born saxophonist Julian Arguelles, known for his work in Germany's HR Big Band, composes music that runs from the odd and lonely to the grandiose and epic. He has been commissioned to do pieces for the BBC and the Apollo Saxophone Quartet, to name a few. (FD) julianarguelles.com
Michael Wollny Whether he's playing a Kraftwerk tune or a passage from Mahler, the young German pianist Michael Wollny has the dexterity, sensitivity, and the perfect dynamic touch to bring out the jazz in just about anything. A gifted improviser, Wollny reinvents the music every time he plays. (RN) michael-wollny.de
New Energy Jazz Orchestra Organized by saxophonist Carl Atkins and trumpeter Jonathan Kruger in 2006, the New Energy Jazz Orchestra features 17 of the top players in the region exploring adventurous compositions and arrangements by Atkins, Kruger, David Gibson, and others. (RN) geneseo.edu/arts/nejo
Nick Finzer New York City by way of Rochester trombonist Nick Finzer has hung up the crash helmet he wore as a member of The Po' Boys Brass Band and put on a jacket and tie. Though there isn't that brash brass wall of sound typically surrounding his exploratory style anymore, there's still a sense of adventure and a splash of that old vertigo within the more classic styling and profiling on his new release, "Exposition." (FD) nickfinzermusic.com
Shine On — The Universe of John Lennon Shine On brings together some of Canada's finest musicians to play the music of John Lennon and The Beatles. The group is made up of multiple vocalists and instruments that lend a new creativity to the music. With interesting harmonies and new arrangements, Shine On offers a unique twist on Lennon. (AC) aimbookingagency.com/roster/shine-on-the-universe-of-john-lennon/
Vince Ercolamento & Sidesteppin' Saxophonist Vince Ercolamento is known for his local gigs and his work with Prime Time Funk. A fine composer and a formidable improviser, Ercolamento joins Joe Chiappone, Paul Mastriani, and Peter Chwazik playing music by Herbie Hancock, Steely Dan, The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, and others in Sidesteppin'. (RN) vinceercolamento.com
The Yellowjackets The Yellowjackets recently announced some big news: bassist Felix Pastorius (Jaco's son) has signed on. He'll join the all-star group featuring saxophonist Bob Mintzer, keyboard wizard Russell Ferrante, and drummer William Kennedy as they celebrate the group's 30th anniversary. (RN) yellowjackets.com
