The weeks before Christmas are a mixed bag in the music world. Many musicians take some time off, while others deliver holiday music to the stage. This year is no different, a relatively light schedule and styles across the board.
After almost four decades of touring and recording, Tower of Power is still a very popular band although its 10 members have trouble dropping into a single category.
Urban soul? Retroswing? Brass and funk? Rhythm and blues? Jazzy rock? When you’re dancing in the aisles, the label doesn’t matter.
TOP has a new member, multi-platinum award-winning guitarist Mark Harper, who also has his own band and plays with Wayman Tisdale.
Trumpeter and flugelhorn player Mike Bogart is a featured trumpeter in the film “Resurrection of the Champ.” And ex-TOP saxman Lenny Pickett is now the musical director on “Saturday Night Live.”
Strange Tones: The Cascades Blues Association bestowed Best Contemporary Blues and Best Electric Guitar awards on the band, which expands its roots style into rockabilly, surf and R&B, thanks to Guitar Julie’s and Suburban Slim’s guitar-playing abilities. The CD “Crime-a-Billy” made Real Blues magazine’s Top 100 CDs list.
Seattle Women’s Chorus: “Celestial Greetings” is the theme for the chorus’ annual show. SWC showcases carols from galaxies far, far away and closer to home, tongue firmly planted in cheek. Glass harmonica expert Dennis James will create an other-worldly sound. Resistance is futile.
Northwest Sound Men’s Barbershop Chorus: The 80-voice chorus delivers holiday songs in four-part a cappella harmony in a show called “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” The 125-voice Pacific Sound Chorus, eighth-place medalist in the 2007 Sweet Adelines International Competition, also will perform.
Moutin Reunion Quartet: French Francois (bass) and Louis (drums) Moutin formed the quartet in 1999 as a performance outlet for their original straight-ahead compositions that were expressions of life, emotion and spontaneity.
The band was nominated for French Jazz Artist of the Year in 2006 and the Moutin twins won the prestigious Prix Django Reinhardt award in 2005. Saxophonist Rick Margitza is a former partner of Miles Davis.
John Butler Trio: The U.S.-born and Australia-raised singer-songwriter’s perspective has broadened over the years, moving away from simple labels such as roots or groove or jam band. “My outlook is more open, so the palette opens as well, stylistically speaking, sound-wise, songwriting wise,” Butler said.
His new studio album is “Grand National.” Among the instruments that Butler might play is his grandfather’s vintage National dobro resophonic slide guitar while incorporating elements of Appalachian folk, hip-hop and many other influences from around the world.
Dan Hicks &His Hot Licks: The third annual Holidaze in Hicksville opens with Baby Gramps. Hicks’ string-and-swing band offers its view of the season through original songs, dance and humor. Think “Somebody Stole My Santa Claus Suit” and “Rudolph the Bald-Headed Reindeer” and expect an eclectic merging of swing and Django Reinhardt.
Out and about: Enjoy accomplished pianist Jennifer Thomas and Emmy-winning pianist and composer Jace Vek (Saturday, Soundbridge at Benaroya Hall, www.jenniferthomasmusic.com) … Das Vibenbass brings jazz grooves and harmonies (Sunday, Triple Door) … Get ready for the KISW Holiday Hangover Ball featuring Seether (Tonight, Showbox) and the KZOK Christmas Show (Thursday, Paramount).
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