Although Funk Shui Planet, featuring guitarist Travis Thomas and singer Ryan Sherman, is hardly traditional funk, the pair do inflect their originals with a healthy dose of soul.
Appearing on May 15 at the Backyard Kitchen & Tap, Sherman’s sweet vocals are ably backed by Thomas’ rhythmic playing, so the sound the two come up with, while definitely in singer-songwriter mode, is indeed funky, particularly when they are joined by a guest saxophonist. Performing for the venue’s brunch crowd, Funk Shui Planet is a great soundtrack for a Sunday morning. Funk Shui Planet, Sunday, May 15, at the Backyard Kitchen & Tap, 832 Garnet Ave. 11 a.m. No cover. backyardpb.com San Diego has music year-round, but there’s nothing quite like summertime. It’s the perfect time to take in a performance at one of the many venues that dot the shoreline, such as The Draft, overlooking Mission Beach. On May 10, singer-songwriter Tolan Shaw will perform. Shaw is a phenomenal talent, winning the San Diego County Fair’s singer-songwriter contest twice and scoring San Diego Music Awards with both his previous band, The New Archaic (2009), and as a solo artist (2015). Shaw has a knack for writing songs that touch the heart as well as the ear, as well as the occasional cover, such as a version of “After Midnight” that would make songwriter J.J. Cale proud. Tolan Shaw: Tuesday, May 10, at The Draft, 3105 Ocean Front Walk. 6 p.m. No cover. draftsandiego.com World music fans will want to check out one of San Diego’s best, Todo Mundo, when they perform a free show at the Kona Kai Resort on May 5. Led by Argentinian Santiago Orozco, the band has won three San Diego Music Awards to date and is a perennial festival favorite, perfect for outdoor venues from street fairs to intimate venues such as this. With the music located under the stars, right on the patio next to the resort’s palm trees, private beach and docks, this could be just about the perfect way to spend an evening. Todo Mundo: Thursday, May 5, Kona Kai Resort, 1551 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island. 6-9 p.m. No cover. resortkonakai.com Jazz and modern R&B fans won’t want to miss Atlanta-based soprano saxophonist Atlanta Dee Lucas, appearing on May 8. His latest album “The Smooth Factor,” of five to date, describes his sound in its title, featuring smooth, jazzy soul instrumentals with danceable funk rhythms as heard on excellent originals such as “Making Moves,” all topped by virtuoso playing. His recordings are solid, but live is where the magic is, particularly in the joyous way he interacts with other musicians. Anyone who enjoys the latter-day music of artists such as George Benson, Grover Washington or Stevie Wonder will love every second of Lucas’ set.
Dee Lucas: Sunday, May 8, at Humphrey’s Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island. 8 p.m. $12. humphreysbackstagelive.com Renaissance man Peter Bolland performs at Grassroots Oasis on Saturday, May 7. A singer-songwriter in the tradition of Jackson Browne and Neil Young, Bolland is a gifted performer who also happens to be a teacher, an inspirational speaker and a journalist with a pair of solo albums and who works with bands such as acclaimed Americana quartet The Coyote Problem. Bolland’s heartfelt take on Americana will please fans of melody and finger-picked acoustic guitar, but it’s his conversational tone that’s most appealing, adding up to a show where what goes on between the songs is as big a part of the concert as the music itself. Peter Bolland: Saturday, May 7, at Grassroots Oasis, 3130 Moore St. 7:30 p.m. $15. grassrootsoasis.com The second incarnation of hard rockers Faster Pussycat appears at Brick by Brick on May 15. Though the band only includes frontman Taime Downe from their original 1985-1993 heyday, the current edition has actually been together longer, touring since 2001. With only a slight updating, Faster Pussycat continues to play good-time, sleazy rock with a passion that’s commendable. Expect the night’s biggest cheers for the band’s 1990 hit, “House of Pain,” but if you like your music hard and fast, you’ll enjoy the whole show which also includes locals Gunner, Gunner. Faster Pussycat: Sunday, May 15, at Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave. 8 p.m. 21 and up. $18. brickbybrick.com