The September 22 release party at Anthology for sultry songstress Sacha Boutros’ CD Sacha, Live in Hawaii will include a rare treat. “I usually cover tunes from the great American songbook, some French chansons, and bossa nova,” says Boutros, “but …

The Sabre Dance is undoubtedly Aram Khachaturian's one-hit wonder. The Sabre Dance is from his ballet Gayane which was written in 1942. In keeping with the patriotic program of the times, Gayane is set on a collective farm in Armenia. …

Last Sunday night, Dizzy's hosted a rare double bill featuring two of San Diego's hottest jazz attractions-- In Motion Trio, and The Mattson 2. Curiously enough, the In Motion Trio was actually a septet, ( four auxiliary musicians), and the …

I went to the Spreckels Organ Pavilion last night for the conclusion of their summer festival. I was excited to catch this last concert. I had my blanket and set up camp in some grass. There was a good turnout …

Jeff Berkley is an award-winning songwriter and one half of the local singer/songwriter duo Berkley Hart. Berkley Hart have received multiple nominations for San Diego Music Awards. They won their first SDMA in 2004 as Best Americana Album for 12. …

Experimental trio Nicey Nice World -- singer/cellist Joyce Rooks (the Dinettes), keyboardist Jim Call (Cardiac Kids), and electronic whiz Marcelo Radulovich -- will debut their self-titled full-length at the Casbah on August 31. The band will also be visiting Tim …

Michael Jackson would have celebrated his 53rd birthday today (August, 29). The late singer had several San Diego connections, aside from performing and recording with once-local bassist Nathan East. The official Michael Jackson Moonwalker 3D comic book, based on a …

When San Diego trumpet master Gilbert Castellanos performs Latin jazz, it's usually in the context of his New Latin Jazz Quintet, at the El Camino in Little Italy, or Croce's in the Gaslamp. That group features in essence, two drummers …

I ended up at the shark infested waters of Mission Beach on Friday. The Pacific Ocean was closed. Whenever anyone ventured out to thigh depth, a lifeguard would come scurrying out of the tower to warn them that a shark …

8-28-65 – the Beatles: For the Beatles' one and only local appearance, at Balboa Stadium, radio station KCBQ declared that Saturday "Beatle Day" and gave out pins saying so to attendees. Four local teenagers won a contest to present ceremonial …

The Che Underground presents two classic local garage bands reuniting on two consecutive nights at the Casbah: The Crawdaddys (September 2 with off-Beatles tribute the Baja Bugs and the Amandas) and The Unknowns (September 3 with the Sidewalk Scene and …

Los Alacranes (The Scorpions) are a local Mexican folk quartet founded by Chunky Sanchez. “We do cumbia and norteno styles, with accordion and guitars and traditional folklore instruments,” he says. Their roots go back to the activist 1970’s and the …

Rob Halford turns 60 today (August 25). The singer and his Judas Priest bandmates celebrated "with a big Harley cake plus a few gifts and cards when [they] were all together in Berlin," according to a posting on the group's …

Nathan Williams, of slacker-rock band Wavves, has been a busy dude as of late. As reported by Pitchfork.com, Williams will appear on Fuel TV tonight at 8pm to perform alongside Wu-Tang master beat-maker, the GZA. That's not all. Apparently Williams …

"Boycott 4th&B!!!" That tweet could have come from a disgruntled ex-bouncer or a band that didn't get drink tickets. It appeared August 21 on the Casbah's Twitter stream and was gone the next day. The dig grew out of friction …

San Diego vocalist Sharon DuBois has released her second album, Here I Am, and will debut some songs on local TV station KUSI, at 9:00 am, Tuesday, August 30. DeBois studied voice at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, …

After a brief stint at Bar Dynamite in Mission Hills, the Something Different experimental 170 beat per minute night has moved back to the Kava Lounge for their monthly showcase. “To tell you the truth, we are the only experimental …

"You don't remember who I am, do you?" Gary Wilson asked me via e-mail. I'd been interviewing the indie-rock pioneer about his rediscovery since being name-checked in Beck's "Where It's At": "Passin' the dutchie from coast to coast/ like my …

The idea of Haydn being a servant, all be it an influential and famous servant, was something that I found fascinating during the concert on Sunday. Haydn and Mozart both submitted their genius to the blood-birth authority of the nobility. …

Volume 9 of the ongoing local band compilation series Staring at the Sun will feature twenty-two bands and performers, including Neon Cough, 321 Stereo, Skid Roper, Red Fox Tails, Gregory Page, Lights On, Echo Revolution, Colin Clyne, Death on Mars, …

Fearless Records, a California-based alt-rock label, has announced the signing of homegrown rockers Pierce the Veil. "Just like we do with our fans,” says singer Vic Fuentes, “we never take anyone's support for granted, so thanks to everyone at the …

“I get to keep my minivan,” says MP3tunes owner Michael Robertson, who is claiming a victory in the copyright infringement lawsuit filed by record label/music publisher EMI Group Ltd. against him and his company in 2007. The record company accused …

The Tokyo String Quartet delivered on Sunday at Sherwood Auditorium. I got caught up eating smoked chicken, black bean, and broccoli soup at George's, so I missed the opening act but the concert that started at 3:00 p.m. was phenomenal. …

Last Saturday evening, the name draw of legendary saxophonist Charles McPherson, and the tireless work of Chuck Perrin led to a jazz club experience worthy of New York City. Dizzy's, San Diego's most consistently productive nightspot, was filled with enthusiastic …

“Here’s a great new Facebook blues vids page,” says guitarist Wayne Riker, “documenting much of San Diego's blues history, with lessons, performances, and promos from myself, Nathan James, and many others on the local scene.” "Mike Sosebee, a former student …

Ace keyboardist Mighty Joe Longa of Joey Harris and the Mentals has spent around four months receiving chemotherapy and "catching up on a lot of sleep." The Mentals have been playing around town with a little help from friends like …

Let's return to the topic of the new Porgy and Bess. This seems to be Broadway taking a hint from Hollywood. Have you noticed how many sequels and comic book movies have been made lately? It appears Hollywood is becoming …

Mainstream acoustic jazz played at the highest level will be the focus this weekend at Dizzy's. Friday, a special version of the Rob Thorsen Quartet is the feature, and the following night Charles McPherson brings an all star quintet to …

The awesome is running thick tonight in San Diego. photo: Todo Mundo For starters, monthly Makeout Weird hosts nascent locals California Bleeding, a progy, schitzo, wiggle-ready duo featuring members of Alioth and Dead Animal Mod. Makeout Weird curators Monsterpussy (Heather …

Photo on left: Marcos Fernandes Woodwind multi-instrumentalist Ellen Weller is woodshedding in preparation for an upcoming tour of Japan in collaboration with former San Diego drummer / percussionist / phonographer Marcos Fernandes. Weller and Fernandes worked together previously as member's …

On August 4, local duo Scott West and Alex DePue opened up for prog rock legends Yes at Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay. DePue, who’s been touring and recording with Steve Vai since 2007, landed the Vai gig via a …

We've been asking local bands with new albums on the horizon to tell us about their best and worst gigs ever. Based in North Park, the New Kinetics started up in 2010, founded by singer Birdy Bardot and guitarist/keyboardist Brian …

My San Diego Opera chorus audition is tonight at 7:37 pm. This is the first time I've auditioned, at San Diego Opera, for anyone except former chorus master Todd Simmons. I'm not sure what to expect. For the first time …

Research into Elvis Presley’s first California concerts over the first week of April, 1956, has yielded new material about the San Diego dates, including unpublished photos of the rock icon backstage at the long-gone San Diego Arena at Eighth and …

It’s a lovely night to spill tall cans with San Diego’s finest punks and biker thugs at the rowdy Shakedown Bar in Midway. Local hyperpunk supergroup Retox features members of Festival of Dead Deer, Le Butcherettes, The Locust, Holy Molar, …

"This new album was basically a result of losing a drummer and trying to come up with alternate creative ways in which to keep the band together," writes Sean Davenport, frontman of indie-soul trio Gun Runner. "We decided to utilize …

I've seen a couple different posts about a letter that Stephen Sondheim wrote to the New York Times. Mr. Sondheim was responding to a new and updated production of Porgy and Bess. He seems to be saying, "Not while I'm …

Tim Lowman, aka Low Volts, a one-man-band surprised even himself this year at the San Diego Music Awards when he took home Best Blues Album, Best New Artist, and Best Americana for another band he’s in called Blackout Party. Dave …

The piano returns as the instrument of distinction to the 25th Anniversary Thelonious Monk Jazz Competition, and of 12 semi-finalists chosen from around the world, San Diego's own Joshua White has been selected. The Institute's International Jazz Competition is recognized …

Nathan Williams, of San Diego slacker-rock band Wavves, announced that his newest EP Life Sux, will be released on September 20. The album, according to indie-music website Pitchfork.com, is set to drop on Williams' own Ghost Ramp record label, will …

When writing about Tristan, I failed to mention how deadly the second act is. Conductors Felix Mottl and Joseph Keilberth both collapsed and subsequently died while conducting the second act. Mottl was a respected conductor and composer. His orchestration of …

Culture Beat on Ensenada's downtown nightlife strip exhibits a similar aesthetic to San Diego's World Beat Center (Rasta/Mayan fusion, happy flowers, a shoddy Marley mural), except it's three stories high and housed inside what looks like a halved aircraft hangar. …

Music takes to the streets of Little Italy this October! Club Anthology, in partnership with KPRI 102.1, announces the inaugural StreetBeat San Diego, a music and arts festival. The one of a kind event will be held in Anthology’s front …

Photo on left: Joshua White Los Angeles pianist Eric Reed brought his "favorite trio ever" into Dizzy's last night for a CD release party celebrating his new release on WJ3 records, "Something Beautiful." Completing his dream trio was doublebass master …

Having just picked up their Lifetime Achievement Award at the San Diego Music Awards on August 8, temporarily reunited local legends the Penetrators will play the Casbah on Saturday, August 13, before frontman Gary Heffern returns overseas to his current …

Bassist Pat Kim and guitarist Steve Morris have left Unwritten Law after a physical altercation with frontman Scott Russo. According to statements given to Alternative Press by Morris on behalf of the departing duo, the incident began with an argument …

Blink 182 are bootlegging the bootleggers. Their new video for "Up All Night," uploaded to YouTube on August 2, is built from snippets of unauthorized YouTube vids which have used blink music in the past. The band calls it "The …

Over a four day period Dizzy's operator Chuck Perrin produced three very strong concerts, each one a must see event. Friday, August 5 : Bert Turetzky with The California Consort This one probably presented the most amount of risk--chamber music …

Who is The Tokyo String Quartet and why am I excited they'll be performing in San Diego? It is a chance to hear one of the most venerated ensembles in the world. Since it was founded in 1969, The Tokyo …

Local firm TakeLessons has announced that Crosslink Capital (the largest investor in the Pandora go-to music site) has invested $6 million in the company. Headquartered in San Diego, TakeLessons is a full-service music and voice lessons provider. With lessons taught …

I was driving with a friend when I remembered that the Tokyo String Quartet was going to be performing during the La Jolla Music Society Summerfest. "I've got to go see these guys. They're incredible. I have their recording of …

On August 13, The ABCs of Rock: A benefit for Rock School Fund will feature the local senior citizens of Geezer (which began as a Weezer tribute), performing with their adopted "grandkids," aka the San Diego School of Rock House …

I just returned from a 2,000 mile road trip with the kids. Each time we filled up with gas I'd sing Willie Nelson's On the Road Again as I re-cleaned the car windows that my children had squeegeed into a …

Candye Kane has been booted off the bill for October's Shelby Blues & BBQ festival in Pelham, Alabama. According to Kane, event organizers cited her sexual orientation and her past as a sex worker as the reason for canceling her …

Memphis, Tennessee teen pop duo Memphis High is the latest band to have one of its videos converted to 3D by local PassmoreLab, which has been carving out a rock video niche by working with Slash, Plain White T’s, Osaka …

Former San Diego doublebass phenomenon Danny Weller is back in town and will appear at Dizzy's on Monday, August 8, in a trio with pianist Mikan Zlatkovich and father Bob Weller on drums. The 27 year old bassist and his …

Sunday, August 7, at 7:00 pm, Joshua White will be appearing alongside Marshall Hawkins on doublebass, with percussionist Charlie Chavez at Dizzy's. Josh is a young man, playing beyond his years, and he's very versatile. He can play the straight-ahead …

Last night’s My Dirty Drum Habits show at the Kava Lounge featured local and touring musician constructing dark, live beats with Akai Music Production Centers, Korg Kaoss Pads, and self-styled noise boxes. Will Michaelsen, a student of the Interdisciplinary Computing …

KSDS Jazz Live brought bassist Rob Thorsen's Quartet into the Saville Theatre last night for a concert and demonstration of a program he put together to expose elementary school kids to live, improvised music, titled Jazz: An American Art Form. …

The reviews are in for The Who's Tommy at the Lyceum Stage, which began on July 16 and will run through August 14. The new production of the Tony Award-winning stage version of the classic rock album is a certified …

"Quasi Recordings is going to be launching a Kickstarter campaign on July 31 to raise money to press some limited editions of the latest Quasi EP, Picture Head," label head Matt Rhea tells the Reader. Several locals have funded albums …

“Lo-fi is cool, as opposed to transistor radio-sounding solid-state modern stuff.” Larry Teves, a local bassist, recently started the Lo Fi Mob, a loosely-organized circle of musician friends and acquaintances. There are no requirements for membership except an appreciation for …

On left: Bauhaus The Chanteuse and the Devil’s Muse, a new play with live music written and directed by local celeb David J (Bauhaus, Love & Rockets), will debut at the Bootleg Theater in Los Angeles on September 8 and …

Tomorrow night, August 3rd, the La Jolla Music Symphony kicks off its Summerfest 2011 with a free concert at Ellen Browning Scripps Park (La Jolla Cove). The concert is a line up of chamber music highlights which will be accessible …

Contrabass virtuoso Bert Turetzky is bringing an all-classical chamber music program to Dizzy's this Friday. August 5 at 8:00 p.m. Turetzky will be performing Franz Schubert's Piano Quintet In A Major, (more widely known as the Trout Quintet), and the …

Last Wednesday, DJ and electronic music producer Kaskade advertised via Twitter an impromptu set at Grauman's Chinese Theatre for the premiere of Electric Daisy Carnival Experience, a documentary about a 15-year-strong music festival which drew an estimated 215,000 attendees to …

At left: Tristan and Isolde Forbidden love is always so delicious. The ego constantly wants what it can't have which makes forbidden love seem like the key to salvation. If only Tristan and Isolde could be together, they would be …