Blues fans won’t want to miss The Freemonts, performing at Tio Leo’s on Jan. 12. The title of their latest album, “Alligator,” gives a clear indication of their swamp blues sound, perfect for dancing or just as a soundtrack to a nice dinner. There is great musicianship in The Freemont’s, but particularly found in frontman Mighty Joe Milsap, who is blessed with a soulful voice that sells the song’s story, backed by the sort of sounds that wouldn’t be out of place at a juke joint on a bayou. The Freemonts: Thursday, Jan. 12 at Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St. 9 p.m. 21 and up. Cover TBD. www.tioleos.com. For those of a certain age, it’s hard to believe that the ’90s were more than two decades ago. Anyone feeling nostalgic for the era will want to head to the 710 Beach Club on Jan. 13 for a set from dance band, Saved by the ’90s. The quartet is a veritable jukebox, playing nothing but sing-a-long crowd pleasers, such as The Black Crowes “Hard to Handle” and Alanis Morissette’s “You Ought To Know.” Saved by the ’90s: Friday, Jan. 13, at the 710 Beach Club, 710 Garnet Ave. 9 p.m. 21 and up. www.710bc.com. Friday the 13th may be unlucky for some, but jazz fans are fortunate to be able to hear trumpeter Jason Hanna and his Jazz Trio, who performs Fridays, including Jan. 13, in the Tangiers Bar at The Bahia Resort Hotel. This is a cool little getaway spot, perfect for Hanna’s cool jazz sounds, which include songs by Duke Ellington, Bacharach and David or Herb Alpert. Over the past two years, Hanna has emerged as one of the city’s top talents. He can be heard in different combos, all worth checking out, but it’s at gigs such as this, with his trio, that he truly takes flight, filling in the space with bursts of energy and melody. The Jason Hanna Jazz Trio: Fridays at the Bahia Resort, 998 West Mission Bay Drive. 8 p.m. 21 and up. www.bahiabelle.com. The latest edition of the “Songwriters Showcase” takes place on Jan. 15 at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church. The series features four performers playing round-robin style, with the talent roster this time set to include Nina Francis, Veronica May, Nathan Welden and Ian McCartor. All are well worth hearing, but Francis has most recently emerged as an artist to watch. She is hosting a residency at the legendary venue Java Joes, scoring airplay for her most recent single “Boomerang,” and even appearing on the cover of the San Diego Troubadour newspaper. She is working on her debut album for release later this year in the meantime, this will be a great opportunity to hear her music in a unique setting with wonderful acoustics.
Songwriters Showcase: Sunday, Jan. 15 at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 2051 Sunset Cliffs Blvd. 7:30 p.m. All ages. www.Mfpresents.com. The Duck Dive is continuing its series, Girls With Guitars, spotlighting local female musicians, on Wednesdays. A great way to hear some of San Diego’s best in an intimate, casual setting, the free performances are not limited to the singer-songwriter genre, with upcoming performances set to include blues vocalist Whitney Shay (Jan. 18), singer Marcela Mendez (Jan. 25) and folk rocker duo Sister Speak (Feb. 1). Shay in particular is a vocal powerhouse well worth hearing, but any of these shows is a terrific way to get over the mid-week blues.
Girls With Guitars: Wednesdays at The Duck Dive, 4650 Mission Blvd. 7 p.m. All ages. www.theduckdive.com. Hard rock guitarist Zakk Wylde comes to Brick by Brick on Jan. 19, with his band Zakk Sabbath, a tribute to Black Sabath. Wylde is best known for his frenzied guitar work with the bands singer, Ozzy Osborne, but for this show he concentrates exclusively on the early days of Sabbath. There seems to be an explosion in tributes to hard rockers Black Sabbath of late, including fast food mascot led Mac Sabbath and Hispanic rockers Brown Sabbath, but for those who want it played, like the records, hard and fast, nothing tops Zakk Sabbath.
Zakk Sabbath: Thursday, Jan. 19 at Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave. 8:30 p.m. 21 and up. $25. www.brickbybrick.com.
