SPOTLIGHT

Soul and R&B fans won’t want to miss the Valentine’s Super Love Jam taking place at Pechanga Arena on Feb. 16. On hand will be a selection of platinum-selling stars of the 1960s through the 1980s, including Keith Sweat, Next, Jon B, Ready for The World, Rose Royce and The Delfonics (above). Even among a veritable jukebox full of hits set for the night’s playlist, The Delfonics will be a standout. Their 1967, much-covered hit, “La-La (Means I Love You),” remains one of the defining classics of the era and a major influence on performers to this day. For aficionados, this concert will be a great way to stir up fond memories of yesteryear, while also being a great introduction for newcomers to modern R&B’s roots.

Valentine’s Super Love Jam: Friday, Feb. 16 at Pechanga Arena, 3350 Sports Arena Blvd. 7:30 p.m. $45.50 – $155. pechangaarenasd.com.

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The Presidents Day Jazz Festival takes place at Humphrey’s Backstage Live on Feb. 18. The night will feature numerous local R&B and smooth jazz heavy hitters including singers Rebecca Jade and Ken Turner, as well as guitarist Patrick Yandall, with a guest spot from bassist Mark Hunter and drummer Kevin Koch, both from legendary combo, Fattburger. All the artists are great, but a lot of the spotlight at the moment is on Yandall. Prolific to a fault, his instrumental prowess is top-notch, as heard on his twenty-seven albums to date and his latest single, “Georgy Porgy,” currently charting around the world. All the artists mentioned have sold out Humphrey’s Backstage Live in their own right, the combination of their talents should take the music on this night to new heights.

Presidents Day Jazz Festival: Sunday, Feb. 18 at Humphrey’s Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 5 p.m. $25. humphreysbackstagelive.com.

There are few jazz musicians as hot as trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire is right now. On tour in support of his latest album, “Owl Song,” Akinmusire brings his quintet to the Jai for two shows on Feb. 23. He is currently recording for acclaimed label Nonesuch, having previously released five albums on iconic imprint Blue Note. Notably, he has also performed on sessions for dozens of other artists’ albums, including the Yellow Jackets, Marcus Miller, and Kendrick Lamar. The Jai’s intimate, cabaret-style setting is the perfect way to take in a set from Akinmusire, an artist well on the way to making a name for himself as big as the musicians who inspired him.

Ambrose Akinmusire Quintet: Friday, Feb. 23 at The JAI at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave. 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. $68-$83. theconrad.org.

This year’s Fourth Friday Jazz Series kicks off on Feb. 23 at the La Jolla Community Center. Upcoming shows include performances from Dr. Marshall Hawkins, Holly Hofmann, and Lori Bell, but first will be singer Angie Wells on Feb. 23. Backed by pianist Melonie Grinnell, bassist Doug Walker, and drummer Tyler Kreutel, Wells will perform songs from her latest album, “Truth be Told,” as well as standards from the Great American Songbook. Even jaded listeners will appreciate Wells’ arrangements, commanding presence, and smokey voice, all of which add up to give these evergreen tunes new life.

Angie Wells: Friday, Feb. 23 at the La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd. 8 p.m. $30. ljcommunitycenter.org.

Female trio, the Laurel Canyon Revue performs a dinner time set at Estancia on Feb. 25. Playing vintage tunes loosely considered the sound of California, circa the 1960s and ’70s, the group expertly performs three-part vocal harmonies on songs from the likes of The Mamas and Papas, Carly Simon and The Beach Boys. Their vocal interplay is impressive, recreating iconic session parts effortlessly. While Laurel Canyon Revue’s arrangements, using only bass, guitar, and keyboards, stick close to the originals, the musicians’ obvious joy at playing these classics is clear in every performance.

Laurel Canyon Revue: Sunday, Feb. 25 at Estancia, 9700 N Torrey Pines Road. 6 p.m. No cover. estancialajolla.com.

One of San Diego’s top music schools, Mission Bay High, is holding a New Orleans-themed fundraising concert at the Soledad Club on Feb. 28. Known for its jazz programs under director JP Balmat, the school is sending its acclaimed student group, the Mission Bay Preservationists, to Louisiana in April in order to perform, as well as soak in the culture, getting real-world experience in both performing and touring. Several of the school’s musical ensembles will take part in the night’s concert, making this event a great way to take in a lot of up-and-coming young talent, while also supporting music programs that keep the arts community vital and thriving.

Mission Bay High School New Orleans Fundraiser Concert: Wednesday, Feb. 28, at the Soledad Club, 5050 Soledad Road. 7 p.m. $30-$40. missionbaymusic.com.