Robert Glasper Experiment
Tuesday (June 25), 10 pm, Horseshoe (370 Queen West), $38 TM, tojazz.com
Robert Glasper is out to infuse jazz with new vitality, and he’s using hip-hop and R&B to do it. His latest album, Black Radio, includes guest spots by Lupe Fiasco, Bilal, Erykah Badu and Mos Def as well as covers of Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit and Sade’s Cherish The Day. The open-minded, multi-genre synthesis seems to be working: Black Radio won a Grammy last year. For Glasper’s Toronto Jazz Festival show, the Blue Note Records musician is bringing along his electric three-member Experiment band. Expect A-plus musicianship, playful textures and high spirits.
Alabama Shakes, Jonny Corndawg Fritz
Echo Beach at Molson Amphitheatre (909 Lake Shore West), tonight (Thursday, June 20)
See preview.
Willie Nelson & Family
Massey Hall (178 Victoria), tonight (Thursday, June 20)
Country-music legend plays Jazz Fest?
Patrick Watson, H’Sao
David Pecaut Square Luminato Festival Hub (55 John), tonight (Thursday, June 20)
Classical-minded indie pop.
A Tribe Called Red
Opera House (735 Queen East), Friday (June 21)
Pow-wow dubstep LP launch party.
Third Friday 1st Anniversary
w/ Maestro Fresh Wes, Cesar Comanche, Philly Moves and others
3030 Dundas West, Friday (June 21)
Indie hip-hop night turns one.
Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves & the Vandellas
Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen West), Friday (June 21)
Gloriously old-school American R&B.
Strange Brew
w/ Dwayne Gretzky, the Golden Dogs, Jumple
Metropolis Factory (50 Edwin), Friday (June 21)
Craft beer and R&R celebration.
Mavis Staples, Dr John
Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen West), Saturday (June 22)
See preview.
Ivan & Alyosha
The Garrison (1197 Dundas West), Saturday (June 22)
Seattle folk-pop duo.
Bike Month Wrap Party
w/ Army Girls, the Bicycles
Gladstone Melody Bar (1214 Queen West), Tuesday (June 25)
Cycle-friendly indie pop.
Martha Johnson
Rivoli (332 Queen West), Tuesday (June 25)
Grizzly Bear-approved Martha & the Muffins singer launches a new album.
Cold Cave, Boyd Rice/NON
Parts & Labour (1566 Queen West), Wednesday (June 26)
Darkwave connoisseurs.