Band pays tribute to Joan Jett

Published 9:00 pm Thursday, September 29, 2005

Joan Jett is still touring around the country but unlikely to perform in Snohomish County anytime soon.

Your best bet to rock out to Jett’s music would be catching Jett City’s tribute to the godmother of riot grrls today in Snohomish.

The Seattle-based foursome draws on her major hits as well as more obscure songs in a 30-year career, including early works with the Runaways and songs from her 2004 CD, “Naked.”

No doubt they’ll play “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Jett’s number-one hit for seven weeks in 1982.

Tracy Chapman: The Grammy-winning songwriter has a long-awaited new album, “Where You Live,” 11 originals from world pop to acoustic rock. She performs Wednesday in Seattle. Her self-titled debut earned three Grammies; the bluesy single “Give Me Reason” from “New Beginning” won her fourth Grammy. Chapman has been in the top echelon of musicians dedicated to craft.

Mark Wilson: The soloist, chamber player, composer, conductor and collaborator with choreographers has been a featured player at the Northwest Guitar Festival, improvised a score to the 1920 movie “Wizard of Oz,” and did a guitar solo in the soundtrack to the movie “Rapture 500.” He’ll perform classical guitar music tonight in Everett.

Angelique Kidjo: She can light up the stage with her energy while delivering an Afro-funk fusion of world music. Kidjo performs tonight in Seattle. Born in the West African country of Benin, Kidjo moved to Paris in the 1980s and evolved her signature style of delicate guitar sounds with rock rhythms and lyrics.

Dead Kenny G’s: Is jazz too mild for you? Then take a chance with this trio Monday in Seattle. It includes a veteran of the Dallas rock scene, founding member of Critters Buggin, and a classically trained pianist. The bassist also plays for Brave Combo and Garage a Trois. Call them a high-wire live act, or maybe punk jazz.

Chevelle: The band of Loeffler brothers is minus bassist Joe, whose looking for other work, but will perform Sunday in Seattle. They’ve racked up hot-selling CDs and a single (“Vitamin R”) that flew to the top of the rock charts. “The Clincher” is on the video game “John Madden NFL 2005.”

Karrin Allyson: The classically trained and two-time Grammy-nominated jazz singer returns to Seattle Tuesday-Oct. 9. She’ll bring music from her latest CD, “Wild for You,” a tribute to the singer-songwriters of the 1970s, including Joni Mitchell, Melissa Manchester and Elton John. Allyson connects the dots between blues, jazz, roots, and French and Brazilian rhythms.

Eric Bogle: The ex-accountant from Australia traded in balance sheets for music. His most recognizable creation was “The Band Played Waltzing Matilda,” which has recorded by more than 100 artists. He’ll perform Saturday in Seattle. His “Green Fields of France” spent 10 weeks at the top spot on the Irish charts.

Where to hear it

Jett City: 9:30 tonight, Stewart’s Place, 709 First St., Snohomish.

Tracy Chapman: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Paramount, 911 Pine St., Seattle; $35, $45; 206-628-0888.

Mark Wilson: 7 p.m. tonight, Espresso Americano, Everett Library, 2702 Hoyt Ave.; free with purchase; 425-259-3492.

Angelique Kidjo: 8 tonight, Meany Theater, UW, Seattle; $29; 206-543-4880.

Dead Kenny G’s: 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jazz Alley, 20033 Sixth Ave., Seattle; $19.50; 206-441-9729.

Chevelle: 8 p.m. Sunday, Showbox, 1426 First Ave., Seattle; $25; 800-992-8499.

Karrin Allyson: Various times, Tuesday-Oct. 9, Jazz Alley, 20033 Sixth Ave., Seattle; $21.50; 206-441-9729.

Eric Bogle: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Phinney Ridge Center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle; $15, $7.50 children under 18; 206-528-8523.

Elsewhere …

John Scofield: The guitarist will explore Ray Charles’ music, drawing in the threads of soul, funk, country, Latin and jazz in two full sets. 9 p.m. Saturday, Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. NW, Seattle; $21, $25; 800-965-4827.

Athlete: Indie-pop band off to a great start, with a UK chart-topping album (“Tourist”). The single “Wires” downloaded more than 200,000 times as iTunes Single of the Week. With John in the Morning and others at 5 p.m. Saturday, Neumo’s, 925 E. Pike St., Seattle; 206-709-9467.

L. Subramaniam: The emperor of the Indian violin performs his single Northwest concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, Town Hall, 1119 Eighth St., Seattle; $20, $23.

Keith Rowe: Co-founder of the British improve collective AMM and one of the originators of the table-top guitar performs 8 p.m. Sunday, Gallery 1412, 1412 18th Ave., Seattle; $5-15.

Franz Ferdinand: The Scottish band will perform its danceable form of post-punk at 7:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Paramount, 911 Pine St., Seattle; $30, $35; 206-628-0888.