On April 25, Tio Leo’s will be the site of a Gator by the Bay festival pre-party. The festival brings the music of New Orleans to Southern California, mixing blues, zydeco and jazz for a sound that’s sure to get folks up and dancing, with this special concert showcasing some of San Diego’s best-loved artists. On hand will be an all-star lineup including Sue Palmer, Theo & Zydeco Patrol, Robin Henkel, Michele Lundeen, The Bayou Brothers, Bill Magee, Sharifah, Mercedes Moore and Sarah Rogo, with special guests still to be announced. If you are attending Gator by The Bay, also check out this show to hear the amazing roster of talent; anyone who is a fan of the aforementioned musical genres will love every second of this event.
Gator By The Bay pre-party: Wednesday, April 25 at Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St. 6:30 p.m. 21 and up. $10. tioleos.com. With one of the best views in town, the Kona Kai Resort is a great place to hear local performers. Such is the case with Modern Day Moonshine, who will perform on the patio April 21 at 11 a.m. It may seem a little early in the day to dance, but if anyone can get listeners out of their seats it’s this quartet. Led by guitarist Todd Goodnough, the band members are all excellent players, building up a solid groove that’s soulful, jazzy and touches on the best singer-songwriter material. Modern Day Moonshine provides the perfect soundtrack to a relaxing day at the waterfront. Modern Day Moonshine: Saturday, April 21 at the Kona Kai Resort, 1551 Shelter Island Drive. 11 a.m. resortkonakai.com. It’s no secret. San Diego is blessed with a wealth of major talent at the moment, particularly in jazz. Some of the world’s best players are located right here, giving jazz aficionados a chance to experience fantastic music up close. Such is the case with pianist Joshua White, whose improvisational skills are second to none. Appearing at Dizzy’s on April 21, White will be performing the music of Geri Allen. It’s sure to be a wonderful listen, but anything White plays is well worth hearing, especially live.
Joshua White: Saturday, April 21 at Dizzy’s at Arias Hall, 1717 Morena Blvd. 8 p.m. $20. dizzysjazz.com. One of San Diego’s most beloved local music promoters, Jefferson Jay, celebrates his birthday with a special early show on April 21 at Winston’s. Known for hosting open mic nights at the venue, the Athenaeum’s acoustic music series, and his own bands over the past two decades, Jay has been one of the music community’s most ardent supporters. On this night, Jay will perform his own music, but having helped hundreds of local artists over the years, you can expect some of his talented friends to stop in and help with the celebrating. Jefferson Jay: Saturday, April 21 at Winston’s, 1921 Bacon St. 5 p.m. No cover. 21 and up. winstonsob.com. Face to Face, ’90s-era punk rockers, perform at Brick by Brick on April 26. Best known for their 1995 hit “Disconnected,” the band currently only includes frontman Trever Keith from their original heyday, but the new line up still hits hard and fast. The band hasn’t released music since their 2016 album, “Protection.” Making this concert a must for punk fans, opening the night will be Authentic Sellout, winner of the 2017 SD Music Award for “Best Indie/Alternative Band.” Face to Face: Thursday April 26, at Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave. 8 p.m. 21 and up. $20. brickbybrick.com. Blues fans looking for something a little different will want to check out The January Berry Band performing at Humphrey’s Backstage Live on May 1. John January is a great guitarist and singer, as adept at crafting cool chord sequences for his songs as he is at playing stinging lead. Meanwhile, Linda Berry’s vocals and stage presence command equal attention. It’s the perfect duo, each pushing each other to new heights. The band is currently working on original material for their second album, but they also have a wealth of classics in their set, from Gary (U.S.) Bonds, to updated versions of songs by The Beatles.
The January Berry Band: Tuesday, May 1, at Humphrey’s Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 7 p.m. $5. humphreysbackstagelive.com.
