SPOTLIGHT

Acoustic Evenings takes place on Sept. 20 at the Athenaeum. Showcasing three performers, the night will include music from Tom Griesgraber (above), Aaron Bowen, and Stephen Bulman. All are wonderful performers, but Greisgraber is in a league of his own. A virtuoso player of the “stick” stringed instrument, his music touches on everything from prog to folk, jazz to experimental, all played with a dazzling skill level. He has performed with such esteemed groups as The California Guitar Trio and Agent 22, but it’s his solo shows such as this, where he covers both the rhythms and the melodies on his instrument, that he shines.

Acoustic Evenings: Friday, Sept. 20 at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St. 7:30 p.m. $23. ljathenaeum.org.

RECOMMENDED

Fans of Rat Pack crooner Frank Sinatra won’t want to miss the program, Sounds of Sinatra, featuring Florida-based singer David Roberts, taking place at the La Jolla Community Center on Sept. 13. Covering the more than six decades of recordings by Sinatra, the evening’s music will take fans from the swing/big band era and songs such as “Fly Me to The Moon,” through to the golden years and iconic tunes like, “New York, New York.” Roberts does a good job with the songs, but it’s hard to go wrong with such a strong collection of hit music to choose from.

Sounds of Sinatra: Friday, Sept. 13 at the La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd. 7 p.m. $25. ljcommunitycenter.org.

On Sept. 14, jazz pianist Joshua White will celebrate the music of iconic tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins with a performance at Dizzy’s. White will be joined by an all-star combo featuring tenor saxophonist Tripp Sprague, bassist Justin Grinnell, and drummer Tyler Kreutel. White is one of the best pianists going today, a brilliant improviser with impeccable taste and a wonderful use of the space between the notes. Rollins is certainly an artist deserving of a tribute show, but any performance from this group of musicians is well worth hearing.

Joshua White plays Sonny Rollins: Saturday, Sept. 14 at Dizzy’s at Arias Hall, 1717 Morena Blvd. 8 p.m. $25. dizzysjazz.com.

Pianist and pop singer Ben Folds performs at the Epstein Family Amphitheater on Sept. 19. Fold first came to prominence during the early 1990s scoring turntable hits such as “Underground” and “Brick,” with his band Ben Folds Five, and building a loyal following with a succession of catchy, often melancholy tunes. Giving each night a unique set list, the current road trip is dubbed the “Paper Airplane Tour,” and fans are encouraged to send requests to Folds during the show via paper airplane. A portion of the night’s proceeds will go to Folds’ charity: Keys for Kids.

Ben Folds: Thursday, Sept. 19 at the Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9500 Gilman Drive. 6 p.m. $40 – $98. amphitheater.ucsd.edu.

Progressive rockers, Kansas, return to Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay on Sept. 22. The band still includes original drummer Phil Ehart and guitarist Rich Williams, alongside newer players, and continues to release acclaimed new music, most recently their 2020 album, “The Absence of Presence.” Kansas diehard fans will love the whole show, however, it’s their trilogy of classic mid-1970s hit singles, that will draw the biggest cheers, “Point of Know Return,” “Dust In The Wind” and especially, “Carry On My Wayward Son,” mostly recently heard on the soundtrack to TV favorite, “Supernatural.”

Kansas: Sunday, Sept. 22 at Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 7:30 p.m. $136. humphreysconcerts.com.

One of the longest-running bands in San Diego, Private Domain, stops in at Humphrey’s Backstage Live on Sept. 22. Featuring original members, guitarists Paul Shaffer and Jack Butler, the band is now in its fourth decade, these days is known primarily as a cover band. They play excellent tunes from the likes of Tom Petty, Eric Clapton, and Led Zeppelin, however, the band has also recorded excellent originals over the years. Fans occasionally get to hear the band’s 1987 hit, “Absolute Perfection,” a fun reggae pop rock tune, included in the cult classic film, “Back to the Beach.”

Private Domain: Sunday, Sept. 22 at Humphrey’s Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 8:30 p.m. $5. humphreysbackstagelive.com.