Guitarist Arnie Vilches performs at the Kona Kai Resort on April 19. Vilches is a stellar guitar player, having performed with everyone from Mark Farner to Blue Oyster Cult. Using backing tracks and a few friends for harmonies, percussion and the like, Vilches performs classic rock with passion and fire. His set includes classics from Santana, the Doobie Brothers and more, providing a great Saturday-night soundtrack perfect for dancing or taking in a nice dinner at this scenic venue.
• ARNIE VILCHES: Saturday, April 19 at the KONA KAI RESORT, 1551 Shelter Island Drive, 7 p.m. www.resortkonakai.com. If Pacific Beach had to be identified by a musical genre, it would be reggae. It’s the perfect sound for any place with sunshine, palm trees and a proximity to the ocean. On April 19, the Typhoon Saloon will host a special performance from Hawaiian group Hi Roots. The seven-piece group’s sound ranges from dancehall influences to dub rhythms, all meant for serious begging for the dance floor. If you’re a reggae fan, the only way this could get better would be if the music were actually on the beach. If you enjoy reggae’s lilting beats and bass-heavy tunes, you won’t want to miss Hi Roots — one of Hawaii’s latest hot exports. • HI ROOTS: Saturday, April 19 at the TYPHOON SALOON, 1165 Garnet Ave. Call for show time. 21 and up. No cover. www.typhoonsaloon.com. The words legendary and iconic are often overused these days, but when it comes to the works of guitarist Mundell Lowe, they barely do the man justice. Even if you don’t know his name, you’ve heard his music. A major label artist since 1953, Lowe has recorded dozens of classic, essential jazz albums. But perhaps the public might know him best as the guitarist on such TV show themes as “The Wild, Wild West,” “Starsky and Hutch” or “Hawaii 5-0,” to name a few. On April 19, Dizzy’s will be the site of a celebration of his 92nd birthday, a celebration that should bring out many of the other area jazz notables. This is certainly one of the year’s top jazz events.
• MUNDELL LOWE: Saturday, April 19 at DIZZY’S, 4275 Mission Bay Drive. 8 p.m. $15. www.dizzysjazz.com. Beach-area music lovers have a new venue — the Patio — to enjoy classic tunes. Music takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. on Sundays with Shiela Steverson, Mondays with bluesman Tom Cat Courtney and Wednesdays with guitarist James Gossett. Steverson’s set is a great way to wind down the weekend. A terrific pianist, she mixes classic cuts with a few contemporary gems for a set that’s comfortable and fun to listen to. This is a nice way to stave off the pending Monday-morning blues, if only for a little while. • SHIELA STEVERSON: Sundays at THE PATIO, 4445 Lamont St. 6 p.m. www.thepatioonlamont.com. Perhaps it’s because of San Diego’s close proximity to Tijuana, where Carlos Santana first plied his trade, but the much-respected guitarist has a special place in San Diego’s heart. One of the country’s best Santana tribute acts, Viva Santana, performs at Humphreys Backstage Live on Saturday, April 26. Expect few surprises, but with a set list that includes such evergreens as “Europa,” “Black Magic Woman” and “Supernatural,” audience members will leave more than happy. • VIVA SANTANA: Saturday, April 26 at HUMPHREYS BACKSTAGE LIVE, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 9 p.m. $12. www.humphreysbackstagelive.com.
