A breakdown of shows happening this Thurs., Feb. 19...
Al Di Meola Fusion guitarist Al Di Meola has issued no less than 23 full-lengths in the nearly four decades since leaving Return to Forever, his early use of Flamenco and Latin jazz phrasing threaded throughout the rest of his music, from the dark, gritty, synth-progressive trajectory of 1976’s Elegant Gypsy to his lush World Sinfonia series to the more restrained acoustic guitar-driven instrumentals of 2013’s All Your Life (A Tribute to the Beatles). Di Meola stops here on his “Elegant Gypsy & More – Last Electric Tour,” which finds him plugged in, backed by a full band, and playing cuts off his tour-de-force sophomore album along with various other selections. (Capitol Theatre, Clearwater)
The Wailers with Rusted Root Bob Marley originally brought together musical compatriots Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Aston “Family Man” Barrett and Carly Barrett, their dream of reaching an international audience through uplifting roots reggae music and Rastafari-inspired lyrics realized and multiplied 46 years and 250 million albums sold later. While its iconic leader is long gone, The Wailers carry on as piloted by Aston Sr. with support from an upstart band that includes his son, Aston Jr., on organ; setlists are heavy on classics (“No Woman No Cry,” “Exodus,” “Is This Love,” et. al), light on new material (like 2010’s “A Step for Mankind,” about fighting world hunger). (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg) –Seth Peterson & Leilani Polk
Gulf Shores with Ghost Foot A bill featuring two Shreveport, La. indie bands – Gulf Shores has an experimental synth-sonic and dancetronic vibe while Ghost Foot brings grungy garage-fuzz to the table. (The Fuzz Factory, Gulfport)
Nate Najar Quartet Consummate nylon-string finger-style jazz-rooted guitarist Najar, trumpeter James Suggs, acoustic bassist John Lamb and fresh from London, drummer Matthew Home, stage a program that touches on material they’ve been prepping for a new recording. (Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg)
ALSO TONIGHT
Red Bull Thr3eStyle The Ritz Ybor, Ybor City
Blowfly 76th Birthday Party Brass Mug, Tampa
The Funky Nuggets Dunedin Brewery, Dunedin
Tribal Style Screwie Louie’s Porpoise Pub, Seminole
Singer-Songwriter Night w/The John Clark Band, The Gadabaouts, Tim Walker Tre Amici @ The Bunker, Ybor City
