Café Bar Europa has updated its schedule for the spring with residencies from an eclectic mix of performers. Among the highlights: Every Wednesday will feature legendary bluesman Tomcat Courtney (7 p.m.), while Fridays will spotlight the Afrojazziacs, a Latin and Afro Cuban jazz trio fronted by guitarist Louie Valenzuela (9 p.m.). Saturdays will have music from Salsa combo Son Pa Ti (9 p.m.) with Mondays reserved for an open mic night starting at 7 p.m. The venue’s full calendar spotlights its diverse booking policy, with additional worthy sets from local jazz, blues and world music performers, making this nightspot one of the city’s most important, if unsung, cultural treasures. New music schedule Café-Bar Europa, 873 Turqouise St. 21 and up. www.theturquoise.com/wordpress Blending soul, R&B and touches of jazz with funk and rock, Curbside Vinyl represents the best of the new dance oriented groups emerging around town. The sextet, which includes acclaimed pianist Josh Weinstein, can play covers with the best of them, including a nice take on the often covered “Ain’t no Sunshine.” They also have plenty of originals that channel the best of ’70s and ’80s dance hits. The groups most recent single, “Dancing in the Freeway,” is a terrific slice of pop with an infectious beat and melody sure to get feet tapping. Curbside Vinyl: Saturday, April 11, at the 710 Beach Club, 710 Garnet Ave. 9 p.m. 21 and up. www.710bc.com On April 11 saxophonist Nathan Collins presents a tribute to one of the most influential jazz combos of the last century, the Crusaders. On hand to help celebrate the quartet’s music will be Ian Kisbert on drums, Nick Barnes on guitar, Adrian Holtz on bass, Scott Roberts on piano and Ian Kaufman on trombone. There will be no shortage of material to choose from on the night – since their beginnings in 1960, the Crusaders, which featured such legends as drummer Stix Hooper, saxophonist Wilton Felder, trombonist Wayne Henderson and pianist Joe Sample, has released more than 40 albums of their jazz/R&B/soul music. Anyone who appreciates the pioneers of the current jazz community won’t want to miss this fresh take on a classic sound. A Tribute to the Crusaders: Saturday, April 11, at Dizzy’s, 4275 Mission Bay Drive. 8 p.m. $15. www.dizzysjazz.com Perhaps best known for his work with the group Soul Ablaze, guitarist Verdell Smith is a formidable force even in solo mode. Appearing at the Kona Kai Resort on April 17, Smith is blessed with a deep soulful voice, his easy going guitar style, which takes in elements of everything from Hendrix to Marley to Prince, wonderfully suited to the Kona Kai’s waterfront location. Between his work with Soul Ablaze and stints backing others, Smith can play any number of covers, but give a listen to his original music, he’s got plenty of tunes that would stand up well against those of his heroes, and the chops to pull them off. Verdell Smith: Friday, April 17, at the Kona Kai Resort, 1551 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island. 7 p.m. www.resortkonakai.com For those looking for a mix of good food and dancing, one of the week’s best options will be Pop Vinyl, appearing on April 18 at Humphrey’s Backstage Live. They play all the standards you’d expect, from Bill Withers to the Beatles, but they excel in two places few others do. First, they have a really good set of deep soul classics, songs by the likes of Parliament, The Gap Band and the Ohio Players. Second, they also include current Top 40 tracks, such as Lady Gaga or the Ting Tings, making for a particularly well rounded evening of dance music. With its incredible view of the marina and excellent cuisine, this would be a great date night. Pop Vinyl: Saturday, April 18, at Humphrey’s Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island. 9 p.m. $12. www.humphreysbackstagelive.com An evening listening to the Queen of Boogie Woogie piano Sue Palmer is always time well spent, but when she is in the company of her band, featuring singer Deejha Marie, guitarist Steve Wilcox, drummer Sharon Shufelt, and bassist Pete Harrison, things go up a notch. Performing on April 21 at Tio Leo’s, it’s the perfect match of Palmer’s blues and R&B rhythms with the club’s renowned dance floor. Palmer has been a San Diego institution for decades, one of the cities key performers. Whether you’re fan of the genre’s mentioned or just like a good time out, Palmer’s music is a great soundtrack to a night on the town. Sue Palmer: Tuesday, April 21. Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa Street. 9 p.m. 21 and up. Cover TBD. www.tioleos.com
