After the unwelcome intrusion of Hurricane Idalia here in Sarasota-Manatee last week, hopefully things are mostly back to normal and we can return to our regular September calendar, including its live music lineup. We start this week's concert picks with a self-described "Southern-fried grunge" group from the Atlanta area, playing Bradenton while on tour.
There'll also be concerts celebrating another year for a longtime venue at its latest location, and bidding a fond farewell to a local music institution closing its doors after five decades in business. This week also sees the return of a popular jazz cabaret concert series, along with another notable show in the same genre. Here are this week's highlights. Event details are subject to change.
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Blurry
Hailing from the Atlanta area, Blurry visits Bradenton's Oscura while on a mini-tour of their southern neighbors in the Sunshine State this week. The group's sound draws a variety of genres, with last year's single "Over Easy" featuring a little guitar twang and power-pop melody to its alternative rock, and the band describing itself as "Southern-fried grunge." Palmetto psychedelic/garage-rock group Domino Pink, Tampa alt-rockers Peace Cult (whose cover of "Take Me Away" from the 2003 Disney film "Freaky Friday" currently has more than two million plays on Spotify) and fellow Tampa rock group Pet Rock will also perform. 7 p.m. doors, 7:30 p.m. show Friday; Oscura, 816 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton; $15 advance, $20 day of; 941-201-4950;oscura.live
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Jalen Baker Quartet
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe and Modern Marimba team up for this concert featuring jazz vibraphonist and percussionist Jalen Baker with his quartet. Born in Washington D.C., raised in Houston (where he currently lives) and earning his master's degree in jazz studies while at Florida State University, Baker will return to our state after releasing his latest album "Be Still" earlier this year. Joining him at the Sarasota show will be pianistPaul Cornish, bassist Gabriel Godoyand drummer Gavin Moolchan, who all played on the album as well. 7:30 p.m. Saturday; Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota; $27; 941-366-1505; westcoastblacktheatre.org
Joyland Two-Year Anniversary Celebration
After leaving its longtime home of Bradenton in 2018, and reopening in 2021 at a new location off University Parkway straddling the line between Sarasota and Manatee counties, nightclub and music venue Joyland will celebrate two years at its new home with a bash this weekend. Country musician Conyer Walker, who took part in season 19 of "American Idol" along with fellow Lakewood Ranch resident Alana Sherman (though he didn't get as far as Sherman, who ultimately ended up in the Top 24 contestants), will provide the music Saturday night, along with a "Joyland All Star Jam." 9 p.m. Saturday; Joyland, 8341 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota; $8 ages 21 and up, $30 ages 18-20; 941-210-4110; joylandsarasota.com
Fogt's Music 50-Year Retirement Party
Sarasota music store Fogt's Gulf Coast Music Center, better known as simply Fogt's Music, recently announced that it will permanently close after 50 years in business. But first, Sarasota musician Al Fuller will host an open house blues jam and retirement party for the store's owner Gwen Fogt on Sunday afternoon. Fuller and his blues jam are something of a Sarasota music institution themselves, having taken place for decades now at past venues including Five O'Clock Club, The Blue Rooster and the recently closed Nicky's on Palm. 2-6 p.m. Sunday; Fogt's Music, 4209 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; 941-929-1595; Fogt's Music's Facebook page
Patrick Bettison and Phill Fest
Jazz Club of Sarasota's Monday Night Jazz Cabaret series, featuring musicians in the genre playing Florida Studio Theatre's John C. Court Cabaret, continues with Patrick Bettison and Phill Fest. Bettison is a multi-instrumentalist mainly known for playing electric bass, chromatic harmonica and keyboards, who lives in St. Petersburg and performs with bossa nova artist Daniela Soledade. Fest is a Brazilian-American guitarist/vocalist (and son of the late Brazilian jazz and bossa nova pianist Manfredo Fest) who lives in West Palm Beach and has released albums including last year's "Seresta," recorded in Porto Alegre, Brazil. 6:30 p.m. doors, dinner/drinks, 7:30 p.m. show Monday; John C. Court Cabaret, 1265 First St., Sarasota; $34-$39;941-260-9951;jazzclubsarasota.org
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Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism bysubscribing.
