Jazz fans won’t want to miss The Now Time Quartet, performing at The Turquoise on Feb. 9. Built around four virtuoso players, keyboardist Adam Wolff, bassist Michael Oletta, drummer Jeff Dalrymple and fiddler Alicia Previn, the band excels at a mix of standards and improvisations, making each performance unique. While The Now Time Quartet’s music will thrill jazz fans, it will also appeal to aficionados of rock and prog. All are great players, but Wolff and Previn in particular are standouts, the interplay amongst their instruments a delight to the ear. The Now Time Quartet: Friday, Feb. 9, at Café-Bar Europa, 873 Turqouise St. 9 p.m. 21 and up. theturquoise.com. Anyone who’s been to an outdoor festival in San Diego has likely seen virtuoso Chapman Stick player, Tom Greisgraber. As impressive as Greisgraber is in solo mode, it’s when he sets his talent against that of other noted musicians that he really shines, such as his work in the duo Agent 22, alongside drummer Ryan Moran. Using looping pedals, Greisgraber conjures up a unique instrumental sound that combines jazz with everything from soundtracks to rock, with Moran perfectly accenting the tunes. Anyone jaded by traditional rook or jazz guitar shows, will find the playing of Agent 22 to be a breath of fresh air.
Agent 22: Saturday, Feb. 10, at Dizzy’s at Arias Hall, 1717 Morena Blvd. 8 p.m. $15. dizzysjazz.com. If you’re weighing your options for a romantic night out this Valentine’s Day, Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge may be the perfect choice. The night’s entertainment will be provided by The Hitmen of San Diego, a relatively new quintet with a set list full of R&B and funk classics, ranging from James Brown’s “Sex Machine” to The Times’ “Jungle Love,” all meant to keep a dance floor filled. With its mix of delicious food, scenic location, plenty of free parking, and, in The Hitmen of San Diego, a fun band, Humphrey’s venue has just about everything covered for your Valentine’s Day. The Hitmen of San Diego: Wednesday, Feb. 14 at Humphrey’s Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 7 p.m. $5. humphreysbackstagelive.com. Ariel Levine is definitely a candidate for hardest-working man in show biz, San Diego edition. Appearing at Beaumont’s on Feb. 16, he has been part of numerous tribute band projects, including ones celebrating David Bowie, Elvis Costello and Freddie Mercury, while also performing excellent original music, such as the song, “Sunshine Part II: On My Color TV,” which is nominated for “Song of The Year” at the 2018 San Diego Music Awards. Anyone jaded by the typical Top 40 set lists played by bands will love Moonage Daydreamers.
The Moonage Daydreamers: Friday, Feb. 16 at Beaumont’s, 5662 La Jolla Blvd. 9 p.m. 21 and up. beaumontseatery.com. On Feb. 16 and 24, Brick by Brick will be the site of a pair of fundraising concerts for Victor Nieto III, former booker at the venue and more recently the Ramona Mainstage. Recent medical bills have hit Nieto hard and it’s a testament to the love the local hard rock community has for Nieto that so many bands wanted to pitch in, that the music will be spread out over the two nights. First up on Feb. 16, the bill will be topped by The Taz Taylor Band, with special guests RDG, Pet Shark, Aether X and Deliverance Machine. Then on Feb. 24, the night will feature Loose Cannon, SlaveSound, Symbolic, Alchemy, Nightshadow and Bunch of Heathens. Nieto has helped countless bands and given local audiences years of wonderful shows, here’s a chance to pay it back a little.
Victor Nieto III Fundraiser: Friday, Feb. 16 and Saturday, Feb. 24, at Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave. 7:30 p.m. 21 and up. $10. brickbybrick.com. The blues are alive and well in San Diego, with numerous new performers coming on to the scene in the past few years. One of the brightest combos is blues rockers Mario Esteban & The Hellhounds, who perform at the 710 Beach Club on Feb. 17. The trio comes fully armed with a set list full of blues-inspired originals, all set to display Esteban’s fiery guitar playing. As impressive as Esteban’s fretwork is, what truly sets him apart is his showmanship, never giving less than 110 percent, with moves that recall guitar heroes from Prince to Santana. Mario Esteban & The Hellhounds: Saturday, Feb. 17 at the 710 Beach Club, 710 Garnet Ave. 9 p.m. 21 and up. 710bc.com. Local music showcase, San Diego Live, returns to Tio Leo’s Lounge on Feb. 21. Featuring a headliner playing two 45-minute sets, with solo and acoustic acts before and in between, this edition will be topped by Celtic group Skelpin, featuring fiddle player Patric Petrie. Petrie has been heard most recently with Celtic-influenced band Brogue Wave.
Skelpin: Wednesday, Feb. 21 at Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St. 7 p.m. 21 and up. Cover TBD. tioleos.com.
as well as the duo, J’adore, but Skelpin is where she earned her rep, the rapport between the musicians driving the music. Skelpin: Wednesday, Feb. 21 at Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St. 7 p.m. 21 and up. Cover TBD. tioleos.com.