Think piano, and pop and Billy Joel, Tori Amos or Elton John might come to mind. But after Gentry Bronson’s Saturday show in Everett, perhaps another name will make your list.
He’ll be performing at a private Everett club; reservations must be made ahead of time at 206-571-6250.
Bronson, from San Francisco, started on his grandparents’ piano at age 4 when he created stories out of the black keys (bad guys) and the white keys (good guys). He was the lead singer in his first garage band at 15, after he discovered his parents’ record collection held the magic of The Beatles, The Stones, Iron Butterfly and Stevie Ray Vaughn.
He hated college and left, worked on the docks in Alaska, and tended bar in Florida. In Seattle, he handled bar duties at the Off Ramp with bands such as Pearl Jam and Nirvana before discovering the Prague music scene.
He went back to college, scored a dance piece, played in an avant-garde jazz combo, did spoken-word performances, DJ’d acid jazz, worked for an art and literary magazine, worked as a multimedia producer, and fronted The Night Watchmen through three records before starting a solo career. Now his music is heavily featured in the film “Minnesota Ice.”
All of those experiences have converged for musical stories and an engaging show.
Ronnda Cadle: The Georgia singer-songwriter co-founded a six-piece folk-rock band, Fat Choice, then toured London and the U.S. with guitarist Moe Loughran. Last year she released her first solo instrumental collection, “The River Runs”; selections were featured on Public Radio International’s “Echoes” playlist and for the PBS TV program “Roadtrip Nation.” Thursday’s show in Monroe is an Indiegrrl showcase-benefit for new Indiegrrl CEO Vicki Blankenship, who has been diagnosed with leukemia. Other artists to perform include Hooly O’Reiily and Megan Donovan.
Montgomery Gentry: Country duo Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry earned a 1999 Academy of Country Music award for Top New Vocal Duo/Group, and followed that with two more awards for Song of the Year and Vocal Duo of the Year. They consistently deliver blue-collar anthems and other songs of modern life, often with a rock edge but a little less in-your-face these days. Thursday, Marysville
Erin McKeown: Although not yet 30, McKeown has turned out five studio recordings and averages 200 shows a year. Her newest release is “Sing You Sinners,” her take on the not-so-standard entries in the American Songbook. Thursday, Kenmore
DoctorfunK: The funk band’s lineup is tight and skilled from start to finish. Power vocalist Steve Bolanos, for instance, fronted rock bands before switching to jazz standards, but the DoctorfunK sound enticed him to join the band in 1998. Tenor saxman Alexy Nikolaev graduated from Moscow’s Academy of Music and has performed at international jazz festivals. Even the sound man, Ken Reeves, has a pedigree: He’s toured with and produced Ray Charles, Lou Rawls and the Neville Brothers. Thursday, Everett
Trent Summar &the New Row Mob: Summar calls his music “farm rock,” where rock and country converge but too rowdy for mainstream country (although he’s also the man who wrote “Pink John Deere”). He’s had some of his songs covered on other artists’ albums and a recent CD, “Horses &Hand Grenades.” Tonight, Monroe
Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra: SWJO showcases high-intensity jazz and tight harmonies. They have a new CD, “Meeting of the Waters.” One of the sax players is Cynthia Mullis, formerly with New York’s all-woman big band Diva, with which she appeared with Diane Schuur, Joe Williams and James Brown, and played at the city’s Blue Note and Birdland. Thursday, Shoreline
Out and about: The five musicians of Grupo Samay (7 p.m. Thursday, North Cove Park, Lake Stevens) interpret various themes representing Andean music and South American folklore … Celtic band Craicmore (3 p.m. Sunday, Edmonds City Park) features contralto Nancy Johnston and a repertoire driven by guitar, bass, Bohdran drum, conga, whistles, flutes and pipes … Mix swinging grooves, improvisation, vocals and acoustic Western sensibilities to create Cow Bop (6:30 p.m. Wednesday, McCormick Park, Duvall) …
Captain Bogg and Sally (3 p.m. Saturday, McCormick Park, Duvall), a pirate band for all ages, delivers pirate jigs, mermaid lullabies and rocking chanteys in various styles … Bochinche (noon Wednesday, Lynndale Park, Lynnwood) offers new and traditional Latin dance rhythms. The group has won five Northwest Area Music Awards … Enjoy Balkan gypsy party music with Balkanarama (1:30 p.m. Sunday, Forest Park, Everett) … Jazz singer Trisha Hatley (7 p.m. Sunday, The Forum, Mill Creek), a two-time Grammy nominee, performs swinging jazz with her quartet.
Kristin Gerbert photo
ABOVE: Gentry Bronson performs Saturday in Everett.
Michael Clifton photo
LEFT: Ronnda Cadle performs Thursday in Monroe.
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