Highbrow, lowbrow, and everything in between: San Diego’s live music roundup

by Bart Mendoza • Special to Times of San Diego

Pat Metheny returns to Humphreys Concerts by the Bay for a show on May 8. (Photo courtesy of Jimmy Katz)

Opera Wednesdays

San Diego’s music community is thriving, regardless of genre. That includes San Diego’s classical and opera scenes. Fans of the latter will want to check out the free, monthly Opera Wednesdays concert series at the La Jolla Community Center, scheduled for May 13.

The intimate setting will host four artists that evening: pianist Michele Scanlon, soprano Maya Goell, and Mezz Emma Ginzell, and baritone Travis Sherwood, the latter is also a professor of voice at San Diego State University. While the night’s musical program had not been revealed at press time, with Scanlon’s piano providing backing, aficionados of operatic singing will hang on every note.

Opera Wednesdays: Wednesday, May 13, at La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd., 7 p.m. Free.

Richard Galiguis

Anyone looking for some nice live music on a sunny afternoon with an ocean view will want to hear Richard Galiguis. He appears at Duke’s on May 12. Perhaps best known as a guitarist in the house band of the much-missed local TV talk show, “Tonight In San Diego,” Galiguis is a terrific musician with a setlist that includes something for just about everybody.

Using loops and backing tracks, Galigus instrumental recast versions of songs ranging from Eric Clapton’s “Change the World” to late La Jollan Bobby Caldwell’s “What You Won’t Do For Love,” are given a soulful, jazzy spin so good you won’t miss the vocals.

Richard Galiguis: Tuesday, May 12, at Dukes, 1216 Prospect St., 4 p.m. No cover.

H.R.

Punk and reggae icon H.R., a singer best known for his work with Bad Brains, comes to The Holding Company on May 13.

H.R. will be in reggae mode for this tour, which supports his first new single in several years, “Rejoice and Dance.” Recent shows have included a few Bad Brains songs and even a cover of The Beatles’ song “Day Tripper,” all performed with island rhythms, but whatever H.R. manages to include on the night, reggae fans shouldn’t pass up this opportunity to take in a set from a genre legend.

H.R.: Wednesday, May 13, at The Holding Company, 5046 Newport Ave., 7:30 p.m. $15. theholdingcompanyob.com.

Pat Metheny

Grammy Award-winning jazz guitarist Pat Metheny returns to Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay for a show on May 8. He is touring in support of a new album, “Side Eye III,” named after his current band, which features keyboardist Chris Fishman, bassist Jermaine Paul, drummer Joe Dyson, and vocalist Leonard Patton. The latter name gives the concert a hometown show element.

Patton is one of San Diego’s finest singers, regularly found performing locally alongside Peter Sprague, Rob Thorsen, and other area musical luminaries. Metheny’s current tour mixes tracks from his new album with classic tunes from throughout his career, making this a good show for longtime listeners or anyone wanting to investigate his sound.

Pat Metheny & Side Eye: Friday, May 8, at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 8 p.m. $100.

Bassmint Boogie

Mini music fest Bassmint Boogie takes place at Hendrix Hall in Rock and Roll San Diego on May 9. The all-ages event features a range of local talent, including singer-songwriter Corina Rose, blues troubadour Shane Hall, acoustic tunesmith Mimi Luv, funk rocker Soul Ablaze Music, sweet-voiced balladeer Jay Freed, and hip-hop favorites, The Brothers Burns.

It’s an excellent lineup, with one of the concert’s highlights sure to be the set from Freed. His soulful vocals are equal parts Gospel and R&B, and he’s a solid acoustic guitarist, but it’s his Stevie Wonder-like sense of melody, as heard on his song, “Seen It All,” that marks him as a special performer.

Bassmint Boogie: Saturday, May 9, at Hendrix Hall in Rock and Roll San Diego, 3360 Sports Arena Blvd. 6:30 p.m. $15.

Joy Revision

Fans of 1980s post-punk won’t want to miss an appearance from Joy Division tribute group Joy Revision at The Casbah on May 8. While Joy Division’s original run only lasted one album and they never scored a hit in the U.S., their influence remains huge, with scores of bands following in their wake.

The Los Angeles-based quartet does a good job of capturing their British namesake band’s gloomy, sparse, bass-propelled sound as heard on their much-covered singles such as “Love Will Tear Us Apart” and “She’s Lost Control.” Making this show a must for fans of ’80s era British music, the Cure tribute group, The Perfect Boys, is also on the night’s bill.

Joy Revision: Friday, May 8, at The Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd., 9 p.m. $20.

Mrs. Magician

Indie rockers Mrs. Magician celebrate the release of their new single “High Resolution” and video for its B-side, “Dead or Alive,” with a show at the Soda Bar on May 8. The song continues the band’s run of superb rock singles, each of them instant earworms, complete with signature touches of 1960s pop, distortion, and plenty of reverb.

If you’re a fan of rock with a strong sense of melody to go along with the adrenaline rush, then songs such as “Eyes All Over Town” will have you up on your feet singing along in no time.

Mrs. Magician: Friday, May 8, at Soda Bar, 3615 El Cajon Blvd. 7 p.m. $15.

Dolly’s Revenge

Americana-based quartet, Dolly’s Revenge, takes the stage at The Cordova Bar on May 10. Featuring four well-respected local musicians: singer and guitarist Ashley E. Norton, bassist Marcia Claire, drummer Amanda Albini, and lead guitarist John Katchur, the band specializes in heartfelt original modern country songs, such as their recent single, “Joelle.”

All four players can be heard around town performing in various combos or solo, but Dolly’s Revenge’s strength comes from the combination of their talents, with the group’s three-part harmonies and Katchur’s guitar in particular adding to the proceedings.

Dolly’s Revenge: Sunday, May 10, at The Downtown Cafe, 182 E. Main St., 6 p.m. $5. thecordovabar.com.

Laura Chavez

Over the past two decades, guitarist Laura Chavez has performed, recorded, and toured the world with numerous artists, including the likes of Candye Kane, Nikki Hill, and Whitney Shay. On May 12, she hosts an album release show at the Belly Up Tavern for her solo debut, “My Voice.” The instrumental album neatly showcases why Chavez has become a first-call player, focusing on her incendiary guitar work.

Blues fans will love every second of her set, but anyone who enjoys inspired guitar playing will want to hear Chavez play. Also performing at this show will be one of the best dance bands in the Southland, cumbia-billy practitioners, The Sleepwalkers.

Laura Chavez: Tuesday, May 12, at Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., 7 p.m. $23.

The Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash

Spar Customs Productions’ weekly Wednesday night residency at Tio Leo’s continues on May 13 with a set from the Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash. Still led by singer Mark Stuart, the band’s brand of outlaw country has kept the band perennially on the road since they first hit San Diego stages in the early 1990s.

It’s been over a decade since the group released an album, but their older material, such as “No Easy Road,” has stood the test of time and continues to be perfect for line dancing. Buzz Campbell & The Heartaches close out the night.