SPOTLIGHT

Blues guitarist Johnny Vernazza (above) performs at Humphrey’s Backstage Live on Nov. 8. Vernazza has carved out an amazing career since he first hit concert stages in the Bay Area circa the 1960s, ultimately playing and recording with the likes of Van Morrison, Mickey Thomas, The Marshall Tucker Band, Elvin Bishop, and many more. It’s with the latter that he truly made his mark, performing on the 1976 hit, “Fooled Around and Fell In Love,” among other classic tunes. For this show, Vernazza will be showcasing selections from his solo catalog, including tracks from his acclaimed album, “Lions and Thieves” and a few choice covers. Fans of blues guitar will love Vernazza’s set, particularly his masterful slide playing.

Johnny Vernazza: Tuesday, Nov. 8 at Humphrey’s Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 6 p.m. $5. humphreysbackstagelive.com.

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Few musicians have had an impact on San Diego quite like trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos. His concerts and recordings have drawn worldwide acclaim, while his music school, The Young Lions Conservatory, continues to mentor the next generation of artists. Appearing at the La Jolla Community Center on Oct. 28, Castellanos is a truly gifted musician, known for his inspired performances across genres, from classical to jazz. For this event, he will be joined by pianist Irving Flores, focusing on songs from the “Legends of Latin Jazz,” but whatever he places on the set list, any concert by Castellanos is well worth hearing.

Gilbert Castellanos: Friday, Oct. 28 at the La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd. 8 p.m. $30. ljcommunitycenter.org.

Fans of 1980s New Wave hits won’t want to miss an excellent three-band bill stopping in at Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay on Oct. 29. On hand will be the aptly named Oingo Boingo Former Members (OBFM) (“Weird Science”), Missing Persons (“Walking In LA”) and Dramarama (“Anything, Anything”). All are still well worth hearing, however, the nod at this event goes to the nine-piece OBFM, who despite the absence of original frontman Danny Elfman, still turn out great versions of the band’s best-known songs. While all of the hits are likely to be well received, on the eve of Halloween, expect the night’s biggest cheer to be for “Dead Man’s Party.”

Oingo Boingo Former Members: Saturday, Oct. 29 at Humphrey’s Concerts by The Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 7:30 p.m. $75 humphreysconcerts.com.

Young talent will be showcased at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center on Oct. 29, with an appearance from Mission Bay High School’s Mambo Orchestra alongside the Metta Quintet. This special afternoon concert, highlighting Latin jazz sounds, is geared towards younger audiences, part of the center’s educational JazzReach program, and is the culmination of a four-day workshop between the students and resident ensemble, The Metta Quintet. JazzReach concerts are designed to be immersive, as well as informative, making this show an ideal way to introduce youngsters to jazz.

Mambo Orchestra and Metta Quintet: Saturday, Oct. 29 at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center / Baker Baum Hall, 7600 Fay Ave. 3 p.m. $15-$25. theconrad.org/events.

Music aficionados who haven’t stopped by the La Valencia Hotel in a while will find much has changed when it comes to entertainment. Gone are the old school, standards singing performers, replaced by a new crop of aspiring young acoustic musicians, such as David Shyde, who appears on Nov. 3. Originally from Brazil, Shyde is blessed with a soulful, smokey voice that matches his guitar skills and heartfelt delivery. A terrific blues player, Shyde’s set can offer up something for just about any musical taste, from Robert Johnson’s “Crossroads” to Justin Bieber’s “Love Yourself.”

David Shyde: Thursday, Nov. 3 at the La Valencia Hotel, 1008 Wall St. 5:30 p.m. No cover. lavalencia.com.

Showcasing the diversity of San Diego’s music community, The Athenaeum continues its Acoustic Evenings shows on Nov. 4 with another strong lineup. This time out attendees will hear performances from a jazz duo, guitarist Jimmy Patton and percussionist Enrique Platas, singer-songwriter Gaby Aparicio and the folk/Americana-influenced, Shakedown String Band. Aparicio in particular is a strong tunesmith, with Latin influences and strong rhythms in her music, with another of the evening’s highlights sure to be the instrumental interplay between Patton and Platas, both virtuosos on their instruments. Fans of any of these performers will find the Athenaeum to be the ideal venue to hear their favorite musicians, while novice listeners can rest assured these events are being very well curated.

Acoustic Evenings: Friday, Nov. 4 at the Athenaeum Music y Arts Library, 1008 Wall St. 7:30 p.m. $5 – $20, ljathenaeum.org.