Singer-songwriter Blaise Guld stops in at Cannonball on April 30. Performing on acoustic guitar, Guld turns in excellent covers of artists ranging from the omnipresent Bruno Mars to the Doors, for a well rounded set list full of crowd-pleasers. Even better, however, is his original music, with songs such as “Mr. Impossible” full of classic pop melody, and tunes such as “Song on the Water” custom made for radio play. Guld’s music is deserving of much wider recognition than it’s received to date. With a distinct picking and strumming style, heartfelt performing style and a resonant honey-tinged voice, Guld is just one lucky break away from national recognition. Blaise Guld: Tuesday, April 30 at Cannonball, 3105 Ocean Front Walk. 5 p.m. 21 and up. cannonballsd.com. The Now Time Quartet returns to The Turquoise on April 20. Featuring two lead instruments in Adam Wolff’s keyboards and Alicia Previn’s violin, with a rock-solid bottom end provided by bassist Michael Oletta and drummer Jeff Dalrymple, this is instrumental music at it’s best. While the Now Time Quartet’s songs are by definition jazz, the foursome take standards on improvisational journeys that will appeal to a wide range of music fans, from those who admire the likes of rock groups such as Yes, to those who count composer Mancini as a favorite. Now Time Quartet: Saturday, April 20 at Café-Bar Europa, 873 Turqouise St. 9 p.m. 21 and up. theturquoise.com/wordpress. The “yacht rock” phenomenon continues at Tio Leo’s on April 26 with an appearance from Band Overboard. The Point Loma-based, eight-piece group, performs Top 40 pop songs that were popular on AM radio from the mid-1970s through the early 1980s. While this might seem limiting, that era was the heyday of the 45-rpm single and that’s reflected in Band Overboard’s terrific set list, which includes both obvious favorites by the likes of Hall & Oates as well as less covered classics by the likes of Wings and E.L.O. Band Overboard: Friday, April 26 at Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St. 9 p.m. 21 and up. Cover TBD. tioleos.com. The Pacific Beach Library continues its free concert series on April 28 with a performance from the Martin Luther King Community Choir of San Diego. Due to the size of the group, which can number up to 80 members, this will be an outdoor concert on the libraries Cass Street Plaza. Notably, the choir performs both classic spirituals and inspirational music as well as new original material, including songs penned by director Kenneth Anderson as heard on their latest album, “Make A Joyful Noise.” The choirs uplifting songs are the perfect way to prepare for the coming week.
Martin Luther King Community Choir: Sunday, April 28 at the Pacific Beach Library, 4275 Cass St. 2 p.m. All ages. No cover. pblibraryfriends.org/concert.htm. Named after a 1939 Duke Ellington song, nine-piece jazz band, The Mellotones, perform at Dizzy’s on April 29. The date marks what would have been the prolific jazz composer and bandleader’s 120th birthday, with a set list that’s sure to take in such classics as “Satin Doll” and “Caravan,” while also digging for hidden gems in the great man’s catalog. Anyone who enjoys big band-styled jazz will love every second of The Mellotones set, filled with songs that nearly 100 years after their debut, remain a cornerstone of jazz music.
The Mellotones: Monday, April 29, at Dizzy’s at Arias Hall, 1717 Morena Blvd. 8 p.m. dizzysjazz.com. Appearing at Humphrey’s Backstage Live on April 30, Get Groovin’ will play a set full of dance floor fillers, across genres, from Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk” to Guns and Roses “Sweet Child of Mine.” The six-piece band’s set list is inspired fun, taking full advantage of their three female lead singers Sandi Shaner, Stephanie Draper and Michele Whitlow’s vocal talents, something that’s particularly effective on their versions of Motown and disco classics. The band is also adept at blues with a mix of artists that runs from Etta James to guitar hero Stevie Ray Vaughn. With something for just about every musical taste, Get Groovin’ are nothing short of a live jukebox.
Get Groovin’: Tuesday, April 30 at Humphrey’s Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 7 p.m. humphreysbackstagelive.com.
