Celebrating the Fourth with Blues, Jazz, Rock and a debut from an Aussie DJ – Live music this week

Yay For Yacht Rock

San Diego’s love of yacht rock shows no signs of abating. There are plenty of options out there, but one of the area’s best such groups, High Tide Society, performs two shows at Lou Lou’s on July 3. Complete with a horn section and both male and female vocals, High Tide Society plays a seamless blend of ’70s soft rock hits and disco favorites, with songs by the likes of the Bee Gees, Boz Scaggs and Chic, sure to be included amongst the crowd pleasers on the night’s set list.

• High Tide Society: Friday, July 3 at Lou Lou’s, 2223 El Cajon Blvd. 8 and 10 p.m. No cover.

Casey Hensley puts a Blues spell on you

Blues aficionados won’t want to miss an appearance from powerhouse vocalist Casey Hensley at Winston’s on July 03. At home with swampy New Orleans-inspired tunes like “I Put A Spell On You” or Elvis-styled revved up rockers such as “Hard Headed Woman,” Hensley’s brassy, bawdy vocals are matched by her stage presence. Particularly popular in Europe, Hensley hasn’t released a new album since 2020’s “Good As Gone,” instead maintaining a high profile via her high-energy shows, where she can really let loose. Blues listeners will love Hensley’s heartfelt performances.

• Casey Hensley: Friday, July 3 at Winston’s, 1921 Bacon St., 7 p.m. $10.

Multi-instrumentalist Jonny Tarr hits the Holding Company

Award-winning multi-instrumentalist Jonny Tarr brings his latest all-star group to the Holding Company on July 03. Mixing jazz, funk, disco, soul and atmospheric rock guitar, Tarr’s best songs, such as “The Rules,” combine dance grooves that touch on the best of 80’s favorites such as early Spandau Ballet or Patrick Hernandez, while sounding wholly modern. Currently performing in support of his latest single, “Crystal Rain,” Tarr puts on a great show, moving from instrument to instrument as the song dictates. Anyone looking to hit the dance floor this weekend and also loves original music will enjoy the sound of Jonny Tarr’s Situation.

• The Jonny Tarr Situation: Friday, July 3 at The Holding Company, 5046 Newport Ave., 7:30 p.m. $10.

Break on Through at the Belly Up

A great way to spend your Fourth of July will be checking out a tribute to one of the greatest American rock groups of all time, The Doors. On July 04, The Ultimate Doors will take the stage at The Belly Up Tavern. There are several excellent groups out there honoring the music of Jim Morrison and company, but where the Ultimate Doors differ is that, in addition to a doppelganger for Morrison, they also include ringers for guitarist Robby Krieger, drummer John Densmore and keyboardist Ray Manzarek, complete with period costumes and vintage instruments. With a greatest-hits set list that includes the likes of “Riders On The Storm,” “The End,” and “Break on Through,” for die-hard fans of the 1960s era rock, this show will be the next best thing to firing up a time machine and heading back to 1968.

• The Ultimate Doors: Saturday, July 4 at The Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., 8 p.m. $30 and up.

All aboard the Whistle Stop for The Flim Flam Revue

Also on July 4, The Whistle Stop will be offering up a fun, free, Fourth of July show, featuring music collective, The Flim Flam Revue. Built around a house band and guest performers, each show is unique, with a casual flow and an irreverent feel. The focus is on Americana, but boundaries are stretched with plenty on offer across the musical spectrum. The lineup rotates, but whoever takes part on the night, you are sure to hear a world-class performance, in the intimate confines of one of San Diego’s best neighborhood bars.

• Flim Flam Revue: Saturday, July 4 at The Whistle Stop, 2236 Fern St., 5 p.m. No cover.

Fuzz Huzzi Gets Heavy at the Casbah

Long-running rock ‘n’ roll quartet Fuzz Huzzi returns to The Casbah on July 08. Formed in 1993, the band built a solid following through relentless touring, with their most recent album, “Waiting On The Sun,” taking home the trophy for “Best Rock Album” at the 2024 San Diego Music Awards. Powerpop and punk fans will love the band’s anthemic songs, such as “Let It Go,” custom-made for shouting along to. Fuzz Huzzi recently celebrated their 33rd anniversary by heading into the studio to start work on their next album, much of which will be performed at this show.

• Fuzz Huzzi: Wednesday, July 08 at The Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd. 8:30 p.m. $14.

Get your Jazz licks with the Young Lions Conservatory

San Diego has a great jazz community, with wonderful new artists emerging regularly. A large part of that is down to the excellent music education possibilities for budding musicians in San Diego, and top of that list is the trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos Young Lions Conservatory. Each Wednesday, San Diego jazz fans have an opportunity to hear students from the conservatory perform a special showcase set at Copley Hall, adjacent to Panama 66 in Balboa Park. You’ll hear a mix of standards and classic Blue Note tracks while discovering the talents of future San Diego all-stars. Each Wednesday, the Young Lions set is followed by a jam session led by Castellanos with special guests.

• Young Lions: Wednesday, July 8 at Panama 66/Copley Hall, 1450 El Prado. 7 p.m. Free.

Humphrey’s Backstage Blues

Los Angeles-based blues guitarist Dennis Jones returns to Humphreys Backstage Live on July 09. Jones has released some excellent albums in his three-decade-long career, most recently 2024’s “About Time.” However, it’s his live act that sets him apart. While Jones’ music is definitely blues, as heard on his single “Condition Blue,” there are also touches of funk, soul and even splashes of psychedelia in his solos. Fans of the likes of Jimi Hendrix or Stevie Ray Vaughn will be hanging on every note coming out of Jones’ guitar.

• Dennis Jones: Thursday, July 09 at Humphreys Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 7 p.m. $21.

Take in some Twilight in the Park

As if there weren’t already plenty of good reasons to spend time in Balboa Park this summer, through Aug. 27, music fans can now also attend the free Twilight in the Park concert series, with almost three dozen groups set to take part this year. On July 09, attendees will be treated to a performance from a 20-piece combo, Bill Dutton’s Rockin’ Jazz Band. Perfect for swing dancing, the group specializes in standards, from the Great American Songbook through to ‘70s Top 40 favorites from the likes of Stevie Wonder and the Ides of March, making for a great soundtrack to a Thursday evening in the park.

• Bill Dutton’s Rockin’ Jazz Band: Aug. 27 at Spreckels Organ Pavilion, 2125 Pan American Road E. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free.

Aussie DJ San Diego Debut

Australian DJ Young Franco makes his San Diego debut at Music Box on July 09. Recent single, “Lose Control,” has him crossing hip hop with electronica, and in the process scoring a “Best Electronic / Dance” trophy at the Queensland Music Awards earlier this year. However, Franco likes to mix things up, with the unifying factor in his tracks being a heavy groove that’s perfect for extended bouts of dancing. Franco is a bit of a chameleon when it comes to his tracks, but whatever he spins on this night will definitely have Music Box’s dance floor jumpin’.

• Young Franco: Thursday, July 09 at Music Box, 1337 India St. 9 p.m. $23.