Vocalist Karrin Allyson and pianist Miro Sprague perform a duo concert at All Souls Universal Unitarian Church in Greenfield on Friday, March 1, at 7:30 p.m. Opening the show is vocal jazz ensemble Swing Set. Proceeds benefit the All Souls church.
Five-time Grammy nominee Allyson is acclaimed for her impeccable touch in the way she interprets others’ songs from the jazz and pop worlds — Mose Allison, Brazilian jazz standards, Joni Mitchell, Duke Ellington, Rodgers & Hammerstein and many others — and Sprague has now been a part of Allyson’s regular band for years. (And after this local gig, they’re off to do a week-long run at Birdland in New York City.)
Allyson’s latest record, her 15th, is “Some of That Sunshine,” and it’s a departure of sorts. For the first time, she’s dedicated an entire album to her own original material.
The vibe is, as always, tasteful and timeless. Highlights include the title track, a “look on the bright side” tune with ring-a-ding swing; the delicately funky “Wish You Were Mine;” and most especially, the beautiful waltz “Time Is a Funny Thing,” which sounds like the perfect soundtrack for thoughtful rainy day gazing out the window while gentle drops patter against the pane.
Allyson told an interviewer last year, “Though I take every song I sing very personally, there’s something extremely personal — and scary, too — about singing your own stuff. The audience gets to know you even better. And I’m ready for that.”
Northampton band Julie Cira & The Wake are the featured act for this week’s “Music Under the Grow Lights” show at Mill 180 Park in Easthampton on Friday, March 1, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Free and all ages.
Bob Weir and Wolf Bros (aka Don Was on upright bass and Jay Lane on drums) perform at John M. Greene Hall at Smith College in Northampton on Friday, March 1, at 7:30 p.m. Weir says, “This is more fun than a frog in a glass of milk.”
Singer/songwriter James McMurtry plays Gateway City Arts in Holyoke on Saturday, March 2, at 8 p.m.
Wurliday and the Mtali Banda Oneness Project share a bill at the Iron Horse in Northampton on Saturday, March 2, at 9 p.m.
Progressive bluegrass group The Jacob Jolliff Band is the featured guest for the season’s sixth Parlor Session at The Parlor Room in Northampton on Sunday, March 3, at 3 p.m.
Rosanne Cash has a new record out, “She Remembers Everything,” and she takes the stage at the Academy of Music in Northampton on Sunday, March 3, at 7 p.m. Mark Erelli opens.
Hiss Golden Messenger, aka M.C.Taylor, is on tour for his new Merge album “Hallelujah Anyhow,” and plays a solo show at Gateway City Arts on Sunday, March 3, at 8 p.m. Erin Rae starts off the night.
Folk singer/songwriter John McCutcheon just released his 40th album, “To Everyone In All The World: A Celebration of Pete Seeger.” He appears at the Mt. Toby Friends Meeting House in Leverett on Thursday, March 7, at 7:30 p.m.
Soundworks Gathering #12, featuring Ben Davis (solo cello) and the Fumi Tomita / Nate Blehar / Tony Falco trio, takes place at Flywheel in Easthampton on Thursday, March 7, at 8 p.m.
Ken Maiuri can be reached at tunedincolumn@gmail.com