SPOTLIGHT
It’s rare in these days of saturated media for something truly fresh and original to emerge, but acoustic guitarist Kaki King (above) has done it. Performing on May 4 at the Jai, King is a gifted player, with touches of rock, classical, prog, and jazz in her songs, but the biggest wow factor of her concerts is the use of projection mapping on her guitar, showing images and film clips on the instrument itself to match the music being performed. Each concert is unique because everything is synced by computer to how she touches the strings of her guitar. This event will be kid-friendly, with a theme of “Bugs,” but music lovers of all ages will admire this production and the work that went into it.
Kaki King: Saturday, May 4 at The JAI at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave. 10 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. $23 – $33. theconrad.org.
The 33rd Annual San Diego Music Awards take place on April 30, but first up there are several nominee showcase concerts around San Diego. On April 27, the 710 Beach Club hosts an SDMA event featuring several nominated artists, including reggae group Sandollar (Artist of the Year), alt-rockers Signal For Pilot (Best Indie/Alternative Album), and R&B band leader, Jonny Tarr (Album of the Year). This diverse bill is a great way to hear a cross range of some of San Diego’s top talent, with the bonus that all funds raised at these showcase events go to help keep music in San Diego County schools.
San Diego Music Awards Showcase: Saturday, April 27 at the 710 Beach Club, 710 Garnet Ave. 7 p.m. $10. 710bc.com.
Fans of Brazilian music won’t want to miss a tribute to composer Antonio Carlos Jobim taking place at Dizzy’s on April 27. Best known for his jazz, bossa nova, and samba standards, such as his 1963 classic, “Agua de Beber,” this tribute will feature some of the area’s best players, led by acclaimed guitarist Peter Sprague, with singer Allison Adams Tucker, pianist Danny Green, flutist Beth Ross Buckley, and bassist Mackenzie Leighton amongst the evening’s performers. Jobim passed away in 1994, but if anything, his legend has grown in the ensuing decades, with his musical legacy continuing to resonate amongst new generations of music fans.
Peter Sprague: Saturday, April 27 at Dizzy’s at Arias Hall, 1717 Morena Blvd. 8 p.m. $25. dizzysjazz.com.
In the 1950s, rock ‘n’ roll’s debut made a worldwide impact that, nearly eight decades on, is still a major influence for musicians. Such is the case with Japanese rocker Johnny Pandora, who stops in at Tio Leo’s on May 2. Taking his cue from vintage rockabilly sounds, Pandora sings in both English and Japanese, sporting a look drawn from Elvis’s black leather jumpsuit era, with his performances full of manic energy. Recently featured in ads for Sapporo beer, there is also a new documentary about his band, “Never Ending Weekend Tour,” just out. Johnny Pandora is an artist on the rise, rockabilly aficionados should make sure to catch him live at an intimate venue like Tio Leo’s while they still can.
Johnny Pandora: Thursday, May 2 at Tio Leo’s, 6333 Mission Gorge Road. 7 p.m. $12. tioleos.com.
The age-old question of who is better, The Beatles or The Rolling Stones, will once again be raised on May 4 at Breakpoint. On hand will be jangly rockers, The Standards, playing some of the Fab Four’s classic tunes, while openers Paint it Black will perform the best of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards’ song catalog. Whichever group you choose as your favorite, each set will be packed with hits, from “I Saw Her Standing There” to “Satisfaction,” all guaranteed to have the audience singing along.
Paint It Black: Saturday, May 4 at Break Point, 945 Garnet Ave. 9 p.m. breakpointpb.com.
No doubt about it, The Tourmaliners are one of the area’s hardest-working combos, filling dance floors across San Diego with their surf-inspired music. On May 7 the band celebrates lead guitarist Deven Berryhill’s birthday with a special concert at Humphrey’s Backstage Live, set to feature numerous guest performers. Sitting in for a tune at the festivities will be such musical luminaries as singer Laurie Beebe Lewis of The Mamas and Papas, award-winning guitarist Anthony Cullins, and blues musician Jerry “Hot Rod” DeMink, to name just a few. Anyone who enjoys early 1960s-era rock ‘n’ roll will have a lot of fun at this event.
The Tourmaliners: Tuesday, May 7 at Humphrey’s Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 6 p.m. $5. www.humphreysbackstagelive.com.
