Coming off a busy weekend of live music in downtown Santa Cruz you would think we’d need a few days to recuperate. But this is Santa Cruz and everyone knows all you need is a mindfulness meditation session and a shot of B-12 to get you going again! Wake up and hear the music, because this week features veterans of their craft and you won’t want to miss a single moment.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12
Myra Melford’s Snowy Egret at Kuumbwa Jazz Center
With a name that sounds more like a master painter’s finest work than a jazz ensemble, the scene is set for something beautiful over at Kuumbwa. Recently awarded the Guggenheim Fellowship and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation’s Performing Artist Award for her long and stellar music career, Myra Melford’s new group has been making waves in the jazz world since their 2012 debut. Check out their inspired performance at last year’s Chicago Jazz Festival to give you a taste of what you can expect Monday. 7 p.m. Tickets: $25/$30.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15
Royal Southern Brotherhood at Moe’s Alley
Since leaving New Orleans two years ago to take their popular hometown sound on the road, The Royal Southern Brotherhood has gone on a world tour, been interviewed by Dave Grohl for HBO’s Sonic Highways, and recorded a brand new album, Don’t Look Back: The Musical Shoals Sessions, with Grammy Award-winning producer Tom Hambridge. The new album stays true to their classic rock and New Orleans jazz roots, while considerably upping the funk factor. Check it out for yourself at Moe’s. 8 p.m. Tickets: $17/$20.
Coffee Zombie Collective at The Crepe Place
Whether its a street corner, dive bar, packed festival, or a recording studio, Coffee Zombie Collective always brings the same amount of energy and presence to their performance. Their set includes original tracks and fresh takes on a wide range of classics from 80s mega hits (think Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust”) to 90s angst-filled ballads like Radiohead’s “Creep.” Come as you are. 9 p.m. Tickets: $10.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16
Perhaps the biggest group you’ve never heard of, unless you spend any time south of the border, is El Tri. Mexico’s biggest rock band has released 21 full-length studio albums and multiple live and compilation albums since they formed in 1970. Their lasting popularity has earned frontman, Alex Lora many accolades over the years, including the keys to Miami, a day named after him in Guadalaja, Mexico and a spot on Peru’s version of The Voice as talent coach. A blizzard caused the legendary rockers to miss out on a 2007 concert in Watsonville, sparking a riot outside the city’s Vet’s Hall by disgruntled ticket holders. With clear skies on the horizon, there shouldn’t be a reason to miss this one. Brush up on your Spanish y venir a bailar con nosotros. 9 p.m. Tickets: $40/$50.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17
Gang of Four at The Catalyst Club
Following up El Tri at The Catalyst is another legendary group, Gang of Four. The UK post-punk rockers have just released their 9th studio album since 1979, What Happens Next. Re-imagined from the “ground-up,” according to original member, Andy Gil, this latest iteration of the group is without main vocalist Jon King. Their new album provides an unexpected twist to their legacy. 9 p.m. Tickets: $25.
Contact Sam at [email protected]. Pictured: Royal Southern Brotherhood via Facebook.
