From the small-screen stars to standouts such as Donald Harrison Jr., Los Van Van, Aurelio and Janelle Monae, the 38th Playboy Jazz Festival promises a full, and fulfilling, weekend. There’s a tribute to the late B.B. King as well.
Birthed in a country ripped asunder and overcoming their handicaps, Coachella-bound Congolese rumba-rockers Mbongwana Star make visceral, inspirational songs.
Wondrous and weird, the Residents perform “Shadowland” on Saturday after a screening of the documentary “Theory of Obscurity: A Film About the Residents.”
Lucinda Williams, backed by one-time-only lineup, took her sold-out show Friday at Royce Hall to otherworldly places. “This is my religion here,” she said.
“Calling it desert blues doesn’t capture it. Calling it psychedelic rock doesn’t capture it.” Noura Mint Seymali brings her transcendent Mauritanian music to Royce Hall on Saturday.
Once dubbed “The One-Man Beatles,” Emitt Rhodes emerges this week with his first album since 1973. Produced by Chris Price, it features a host of A-list guests.
They might be “ringers,” but Butler, Bernstein & the Hot 9 and Jon Cleary bring some New Orleans flavor to L.A. next week.
The Los Angeles rockers capped their show of transcendent originals at the Theatre at Ace Hotel with an unexpected salute. Hey, you there, with the glasses …
He dedicates “Rocket Man” to “the Starman himself” during a two-hour concert at the Wiltern. Included: old hits and new songs from the forthcoming “Wonderful Crazy Night.”
The iconic songwriter and her landmark debut sound vibrant and current as ever as the tour celebrating the 40th anniversary of the album draws to a close.
