"If it’s electric, it’s gonna let ya down," so goes the motto of this Duluth, Minnesota singer/songwriter. His banjo is fretless and he works with a twelve-string guitar, when not attached to steel resonators. Parr is a soft-spoken, cynical man dealing in blue collar, modern Wild West tales of man’s battle with darkness, sometimes accompanied by the saving grace of a mountain-woman choral arrangement. No raspy bitter pill, Parr is a harrowing crooner with a calm river-picking pattern, who seamlessly traverses through porch-wailing blues and bare-bones bluegrass. (Gavin Paul)
Wednesday, January 7 at 10pm Venue: Morseland Tickets: $5
We've all heard the tales of Eric Clapton and John Mayer appearing from the shadows of the room to surprise sold-out audiences at Buddy Guy's infamous January homecoming shows, usually to slow down Guy's equally infamous cognac habit. But unannounced guest stars or not, this is a prime time to catch the city's most famous modern electric crusader in his lair - especially since he'll be promoting his brand-new LP, Skin Deep. Kicking off the first show of this 16-date run is acoustic opener Eric Noden and 41-year-old Guy protege, guitarist Ronnie Baker Brooks. (Gavin Paul)
Chicago underground legends, The Opus, come to Subterranean to take fans through a celestial journey via orchestrated soundscapes. The duo performed earlier this year at Sub-T, and did a DJ set at the Audio Picnic in Millennium Park, but a live Opus performance is always a welcome event for "old-school" Chicago hip-hop fans. Verbal Kent, Lord 360 and Lokua will open. (J. Min)
Friday, January 9 at 9:30pm Venue: Subterranean Tickets: $6
Tongue-twisting word assassins, the Typical Cats (Qwel, Qwazaar, Denizen Kane and DJ Natural), bring their highly acclaimed show to Reggie's for a rare performance. For the past few years the members have been busy with other projects, and those ventures will be well-represented here with a rarity-rich solo performance by Qwel and a set from Dirty Digital, Qwazaar's group with Silence. But the Cats are at their best when they join forces; expect a parade of punchlines and poetry tailor-made for lovers of classic hip-hop. Galapagos4 labelmates Robust and DJ Maker also perform. (J. Min)
Africa Hi Fi is likely the only party that could have a legitimate celebration for Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday as well as the election of Barack Obama without it coming off as contrived. Host Sonia H. and resident DJ and dance-music legend Ron Trent have built the AHF name to be known as an event not only for good music, but also unity, appreciation of culture and positive vibes, things that both MLK and Mr. Obama would definitely support. Let's face it, you’re not getting anywhere near Washington, DC on the night of the actual inauguration, so make this the night you celebrate a historical figure and history in the making. (Maya Henderson)
Saturday, January 10 at 9pm Venue: Sonotheque Tickets: $10
With nimble fingers and fluttering melodies, flutist/composer Nicole Mitchell is a master of her instrument. Here she gathers a quartet version of her Black Earth Ensemble, a hard-bop lineup with plenty of grooves to hold down the solos and improvisational moments. Her veritable cast powers out mean jazz rhythms with the aid of bassist Josh Abrams and drummer Marcus Evans, while saxophonist David Boykin handles stirring leads and riffs alike. The group often expands to include the talents of cellist Tomeka Reid, guitarist Jeff Parker and vocalist Ugochi, but this Velvet Lounge performance should be just as compelling as Mitchell caps three local shows in four nights. (Scott Morrow)
Saturday, January 10 at 9:30pm Venue: Velvet Lounge Tickets: $15
Prior to performing overseas nearly all winter long, the Vandermark 5 plays the first of four Tuesday shows at the Elastic Vision Gallery. Bandleader Ken Vandermark’s vivacious saxophone is a staple in the city’s avant-jazz scene and, with this revered incarnation, his talents balance between free jazz, hard bop and funk- and rock-influenced passages. Rooted by the rhythm section of drummer Tim Daisy and bassist Kent Kessler, Vandermark is free to intermingle his sax (and miscellaneous woodwinds) with the endowed accompaniment of cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm and fellow saxophonist Dave Rempis. Be sure to catch the group at least once before it begins its international dates. (Scott Morrow)
For its second presentation of 2009, Ken Vandermark’s Immediate Sound Series unites trombonist Jeb Bishop, guitarist Jeff Parker, bassist Josh Abrams and drummer Hamid Drake. These venerable jazz musicians have all collaborated in myriad forms, often playing on the “out” side of improvisation. Drake is a percussive dynamo, one whose shifting style can well accompany anything that the realm of experimental jazz can create. Bishop, Parker and Abrams each have ties to melodic rock projects, so any number of musical creations could come of this two-set performance. Avant-garde cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm, a member of the Vandermark 5, performs a "microgig" with abstract/contemporary dancer Asimina Chremos. (Scott Morrow)
Wednesday, January 14 at 9:30pm Venue: Hideout Tickets: $8
Full of grit and southern charm, the Nappy Roots are a talented group of MCs (think of a Geto Boys/Outkast hybrid) that have more to offer than your typical crunk-style. Their platinum album Watermelon, Chicken and Gritz (2002) help put them on the hip-hop map, but it wasn’t until 2007, when they developed their own label N.R.E.G. (Nappy Roots Entertainment Group), that they were able to venture off and take total control of their creative output. They’ve released two solid albums under N.R.E.G. and are currently touring their latest, The Humdinger, on their Pursuit of Nappyness tour. The Chicago stop will find them at Reggie’s, and some of the city’s finest underground artists are scheduled to open, including Radius, Decay, Astonish, Primeridian and the Pathfinders, whose newest album Moments In Time features stellar production work from Tall Black Guy. (J. Min)
Day 5 in Buddy’s 16-day show, the January headliner makes room for Old Town School of Folk Music’s Chris Walz with a free acoustic set at 6:30 p.m. Meanwhile, Buddy’s good friend and touring guitar protegee Scott Holt wedges the gap in a Stevie Ray-meets-Jonny Lang electric-style. Buddy, who’s still in pristine shape at age 72, will steal the show with tunes from his 2008 release, Skin Deep. (Gavin Paul)
Aiming to swivel the spotlight away from popular North Side joints like B.L.U.E.S. and Kingston Mines, this popular tour pays historical respect to the 'hoods that helped put Chicago blues on the map by featuring 12 different bands and nine reputable South and West Side clubs like Rosa's Lounge, Checkerboard Lounge, Lee's Unleaded Blues and Wallace's Catfish Corner. Shuttle buses will leave from Alcock's about every 10 minutes between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m., and then will operate between participating venues all night. Performers include Guy King, Killer Ray Allison, Super Percy and more. (Gavin Paul)
Saturday, January 17 at 8:30pm Venue: Alcock's Inn Tickets: $40
