scorecardresearch Skip to main content

Week ahead: Music

David James Swanson

White monster

JACK WHITE "Lazaretto," his latest album, reiterates the notion that White is in a league of his own — a neo-bluesman who chases his muse through a haunted house of rock, country, and soul. For this Fenway show, the stage will be set up in the right-field bullpen, with seating in the bleachers and parts of the grandstand. Sept. 17, 6:30 p.m. Tickets: $64.50. Bleacher Theater at Fenway Park. 800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com

JAMES REED

POP & ROCK

SARAH JAFFE A long way from the acoustic roots of her 2010 debut, this Texas-born singer and songwriter cracks her songs wide open with electronic textures on her latest album. "Don't Disconnect" pulses and flickers with a coy sensuality reflected in her lyrics: "Caramel, that's how you stick to me," Jaffe coos on "Slow Pour." She shares the bill with Astronautalis and Transit. Sept. 11, 9 p.m. Tickets: $14. Great Scott. 800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com

Advertisement



BOB MOULD When you're as beloved as Mould is, particularly for his pioneering work with Hüsker Dü and Sugar, it's a fine line between old glories and new adventures. While celebrating the 25th anniversary and recent reissue of his solo debut, "Workbook," Mould also surged forward this year with a new album, "Beauty & Ruin," another punishing blast of power chords and pop smarts. With Cymbals Eat Guitars opening. Sept. 12, 8 p.m. Tickets: $25. Paradise Rock Club. 800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com

BAHAMAS On "Bahamas Is Afie," his new and third album under the name Bahamas, Canadian singer-songwriter Afie Jurvanen burrows into the sweeter aspects of his craft, adding strings and soft-rock harmonies to his nocturnal blend of pop and soul. Sept. 13, 9:30 p.m. Tickets: $13. Great Scott. 800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com

JAMES REED

FOLK, WORLD & COUNTRY

GREENSKY BLUEGRASS Their play-on-words name is such an intuitive fit for a bluegrass band, it's surprising that nobody came up with it before they did. The band's been using it for 12 years, over that time developing a fusion style with particular appeal on the jamband scene. Sept. 11, 8 p.m. Tickets: $18. Paradise Rock Club. 800-745-3000. www.ticketmaster.com

Advertisement



ELLIS PAUL The veteran folkie's Saturday concert will do double duty. He's releasing a new CD, "Chasing Beauty," a collection that pays homage in song to the singer-songwriter's heroes, from Johnny Cash to Dennis Brennan to Shakespeare. At the same time, he'll celebrate his new children's book-CD combination, "The Hero in You," which is informed by a similar theme. Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $20. First Parish Church, Cambridge. 617-492-7679. www.passim.org

WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL The sixth annual edition of this free and family-friendly offering of music, dance, and food is dedicated to Pete Seeger and will feature a Seeger tribute band, along with the a cappella sounds of Women of the World, Yiddish Russian choir Fargnign, and more. Sept. 13, 1-6:30 p.m. Tickets: free. Heritage State Park, Lynn. 781-595-8701. www.facebook.com/events/514190175347568

WILD PONIES; BUFFALO STACK There's so much going on here that it doesn't seem fair to pick only one show, so we'll point to a couple of worthy first visits. Nashville's Wild Ponies, the gone-electric band of formerly acoustic duo Doug and Telisha Williams, share a bill with the Far West Sunday; Buffalo Stack will ply their bracing, soulful roots/rock/blues mix Tuesday. Sept. 14, 9:45 p.m, $10; Sept. 16, 10 p.m., $6. Atwood's Tavern, Cambridge. 800-838-3006. www.brownpapertickets.com

Advertisement



STUART MUNRO

JAZZ, BLUES & CABARET

JANE BUNNETT & MAQUEQUE Celebrating a scintillating self-titled CD, this dynamic septet — led by award-winning Canadian jazz flutist Bunnett and featuring pianist Dánae Olano, bassist Célia Jiménez, bassist and tres guitarist Yusa, percussionist Magdelys Savigne, drummer Yissy García, and vocalist Daymé Arocena — utterly shatters the glass ceiling of Afro-Cuban jazz. Sept. 11, 8 p.m. Tickets: $25. Scullers. 866-777-8932, www.scullersjazz.com

BILLY COBHAM SPECTRUM 40 The powerhouse drummer and 1970s jazz fusion pioneer (Dreams, Miles Davis, Mahavishnu Orchestra) convened this quartet to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his first album as a leader, "Spectrum," and it plays very much in the spirit of that era. With guitarist Dean Brown, keyboardist Gary Husband, and bassist Ric Fierabracci. Sept. 12, 7:30 and 10 p.m. Tickets: $25-$30. Regattabar. 617-395-7757, www.regattabarjazz.com

TIM GARTLAND GROUP The Boston-based bluesman is a true triple-threat performer: equally accomplished as emotive vocalist, eloquent harmonica player, and evocative songwriter. His excellent new album, "Million Stars," emphatically makes his case. Sept. 12, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $10. Johnny D's, 17 Holland St., Somerville. 617-776-2004, www.johnnyds.com

POLLY GIBBONS London jazz critics and musicians ranging from Van Morrison to Johnny Mandel are hailing Britain-born Gibbons as a great new jazz singer and a potential star. Still a young 30-something, she has a whiskey-toned voice and a veteran's grit, sass, sizzle, and swing, and her heartfelt interpretations seem eminently lived in. Sept. 16, 8 p.m. Tickets: $10. Ryles, 212 Hampshire St., Cambridge, 617-876-9330, www.rylesjazz.com

KEVIN LOWENTHAL

CLASSICAL

ODYSSEY OPERA The young company's next rarity will be Korngold's "Die Tote Stadt," to receive its Boston premiere under Gil Rose's baton, with a cast headed by Jay Hunter Morris and Meagan Miller. Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m., Jordan Hall. www.
operaodyssey.org, 617-585-1260

Advertisement



A FAR CRY This youthful chamber orchestra is off to a quick start with its second program of the season, to feature works by Shostakovich, Janacek, and Thomas Adès. With guest violin soloist Augustin Hadelich.
Sept. 12, 8 p.m., Jordan Hall. 617- 585-1260, afarcry.org

GARDNER MUSEUM As part of the Museum's Thursday-night "Stir" series, the Callithumpian Consort takes on works by John Zorn, Stockhausen, and David Ianni (Sept. 11). Then the Eroica Trio arrives on Sunday with works by Smetana and Beethoven alongside the premiere of a trio by Bruce Wolosoff. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. 617-278-5156, www.gardnermuseum.org

SOUTH MOUNTAIN CONCERTS Even older than Tanglewood, the venerable South Mountain Concerts extend the Berkshires summer chamber music season all the way into October. This weekend's concert features the Pacifica String Quartet and guest pianist Menahem Pressler, performing works by Haydn, Ligeti, and Brahms. Sept. 14, 3 p.m., Routes 7 and 20, Pittsfield. 413 442-2106, www.southmountainconcerts.org

JEREMY EICHLER