Fans of exotica by the likes of Les Baxter or space-age lounge music by Esquivel won’t want to miss “An Evening of Sensational Sounds w/Mr. Ho’s Orchestrotica,” taking place at the Bali Hai restaurant on Friday, Feb. 19. Its classic Polynesian décor is the perfect setting for the Orchestrotica, featuring Mr. Ho, aka Brian O’Neill (vibist, percussionist, artistic director), Tev Stevig (oud, tanbur, resonator guitar), Brad Barrett (bass), Jeremy Smith (percussion) and Ela Brandys (bass flute, flute). The combo specializes in music that evokes the hippest soundtracks of the late 1950s and 1960s, explorations in instrumental sound that take in jazz, chamber music, exotic instrumentation and striking arrangements. The Orchestrotica will perform outdoors in the restaurant’s Hawaiian Village Pavillion, the perfect mix of venue and music.
Mr. Ho’s Orchestrotica, Friday, Feb. 19 at the Bali Hai, 2230 Shelter Drive, 8 p.m. (619) 222-1181. One of the giants of smooth jazz, pianist Keiko Matsui, performs at Humphrey’s Backstage Live on Saturday, Feb. 13. Prolific to a fault, Matsui has dozens of albums to her credit since she first began recording circa 1980, each a reflective instrumental work that touches on New Age music, classical and jazz. While this is down-tempo music, Matsui performs with passion and a captivating stage presence. Touring behind her latest album, “Live in Tokyo,” Matsui’s music is a wonderful listening experience, her lyrical playing a nice antidote to the hectic world around us. Keiko Matsui, Saturday, Feb. 13 at Humphrey’s Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, 7 p.m. (619) 224-3577. The combination of incendiary guitarist John January and singer Linda Berry is formidable. Performing at Tio Leo’s on Feb. 16, the duo perform a danceable blend of blues and rock with real fire and passion that matches their impressive skills. True crowd-pleasers, the band performs all the vintage favorites, from “Sweet Home Chicago” to “Hound Dog,” classics in new arrangements meant to get a crowd up and dancing. January and Berry’s vocals are well matched, but January’s spectacular fret work, particularly his slide playing, really makes their music shine. John January and Linda Berry, Tuesday, Feb. 16 at Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St., 9 p.m. (619) 542-1462. One of San Diego’s best-loved bands, indie pop rockers Get Back Loretta, returns for a show at Brick by Brick on Saturday, Feb. 20. It’s a testament to their popularity that the band took home San Diego Music Awards in the Best Pop category in 2006-2008, with a Best New Artist trophy in 2005 as well, though the band hasn’t released new music since 2009. On this night, they top an excellent bill that includes the Brothers Weiss, John Allred and Saba.
Get Back Loretta, Saturday Feb. 20 at Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave., 8:30 p.m. (619) 276-3990. Blessed with an outstanding voice, seemingly cured in whiskey and cigarettes, with a croon that would make the Rat Pack envious, Blaise Guld is well worth hearing whatever format he happens to be playing in. Guld has been in several noted bands over the past few years spotlighting his original music, including Mad Traffic, but for this show he will be performing solo acoustic, offering up captivating versions of everything from “Moondance” to “Ain’t No Sunshine.” A nice way to start off your Valentine’s Day. Blaise Guld, Sunday, Feb. 14 at Beaumont’s, 5660 La Jolla Blvd., 11:30 a.m. (858) 459-0474. On Sunday, Feb. 21, Dizzy’s will host the eighth annual Brasil Jazz Festa. The celebration of Brazilian jazz and culture will feature three sets and performances from an all-star group of musicians, Brasil Jazz Festa, Sunday, Feb. 21 at Dizzy’s, 4275 Mission Bay Drive, 7 p.m. (858) 270-7467. A tragic loss San Diego lost a major talent on Jan. 31 with the passing of drummer Nicki Carano. Carano was killed when a falling tree hit her car as she drove down Ingraham Street near Crown Point on the way to a gig. A highly respected musician, actor, teacher and dancer who taught at the Academy of Performing Arts, Carano touched many lives with her music, which included stints with TIR NO NOG, Christopher Dale, The Camel Tones, In My Humble Opinion, Nectarine, Haute Flash, 3DVA and Radio Rage.
