Just ahead of Paul McCartney’s 73rd birthday on June 18, The Fred Benedetti Trio will celebrate the music legend’s songs with a special concert at Dizzy’s on June 6.
Benedetti is one of the area’s best acoustic guitarists and, along with fellow strummer Peter Pupping, has recorded several Beatles-themed albums well worth hearing.
For this concert, Benedetti and company will perform a mix of McCartney’s Beatles and solo material, with one of the world’s greatest repertoires at their disposal. Fred Benedetti Trio: Saturday, June 6, at Dizzy’s, 4275 Mission Bay Drive. 8 p.m. $15. – Anyone who enjoys music circa the 1990s will enjoy a two-band bill taking place on June 5. Opening up will be the Fooz Fighters, playing the hits of Dave Grohl’s hitmakers. Closing out the night will be one of the area’s most versatile combos, The Big Lewinsky. Rather than tribute a particular band, this quintet celebrates the whole decade, across genres, resulting in a set list that can mix Weezer, Notorious B.I.G., Lenny Kravitz and Naughty by Nature. Anyone who is tired of the basic classic rock set list of many bar bands will enjoy the Big Lewinsky’s sets of more recent favorites.
The Big Lewinsky: Friday, June 5, at the 710 Beach Club, 710 Garnet Ave. 9 p.m. 21 and up. $5.
www.710bc.com – Legendary Orange County band Agent Orange performs at Brick by Brick on Saturday, June 6. Mixing surf and Who power-chord elements with punk, the trio blazed a trail from the first note of their 1980 “Bloodstains” EP. The key to their popularity and longevity is down to the song writing of frontman Mike Palm, who has penned or co-penned a slew of great tunes, such as “I Kill Spies,” “Everything Turns to Grey” and “It’s in Your Head,” all singles in the classic sense of a three-minute rocker with great hooks. Green Day and a host of others were taking notes.
Agent Orange: Saturday, June 6, at Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave. 9 p.m. 21 and up. $15.
www.brickbybrick.com – Soul and funk fans won’t want to miss Las Vegas-based dance band, In-A-Fect, performing at Humphrey’s. This five piece band is simply great, mixing old school classics by Zapp, Prince, Rick James and the Chi-Lites into what is nothing less than a non-stop dance party. Best of all this is a high energy group, putting on a show that comes complete with smooth dance moves ala the Time. The band are clearly having a good time on stage – something that’s sure to be contagious amongst audience members. Bring your dancing shoes.
In-A-Fect: Sunday, June 10, at Humphrey’s Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island. 9 p.m. $12. www.humphreysbackstagelive.com – Cat, Cip & Chiodini might sound like a new blend of tea, but they are in fact a Sherman Oaks-based jazz trio, performing at Dizzy’s on June 11. The group features vocalist Cat Conner, saxophonist Gene Cipriano and guitarist John Chiodini, with this performance meant to showcase the release of their new album, “Cat House.” With only light percussion from Conner, the rhythm falls heavily on Chiodini’s excellent guitar. Fans of jazz’s lighter, folkier elements will find much to enjoy in this trio’s sound.
Cat, Cip & Chiodini Trio: Saturday, December 15, at Dizzy’s, 4275 Mission Bay Drive. 8 p.m. $15. www.dizzysjazz.com – Local music icon Joey Harris performs at Tio Leo’s on June 12. As a major musical influence on San Diego, he was recently awarded a banner on El Cajon Boulevard, a richly deserved honor for someone who has been entertaining generations of San Diegans – and the world – since the late 1970s. Harris has performed with a multitude of combos over the years, from the Beat Farmers to the Speedsters, always delivering great guitar and rock ‘n’ roll. If you haven’t seen Harris before, make it a point to do so, if you have then he’s likely already an old favorite.
Joey Harris: Friday, June 12 at, Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St. 9 p.m. 21 and up. Cover TBD. www.tioleos.com