LIVE FROM SAN DIEGO – Music on the coast this week
Rescheduled from earlier this year, The San Diego Live Aid Benefit for Flood Survivors takes place at Humphrey's Backstage Live on Nov. 21. Aiming to raise funds for families affected by January's torrential rains, the concert will feature three tribute groups: Laurie Beebe Lewis & The Electric Underground (Mamas and Papas), Supreme Legacy (Diana Ross & The Supremes) and All Fired Up (Pat Benatar). All are great fun; however, the night's highlight will likely be the combo led by Lewis (above), an original, latter-day member of the Mamas and Papas. Their four-part vocal harmonies on hit songs such as "I Saw Her Again Last Night," and "California Dreamin'," will impress even the most jaded listener. It's terrible that almost a year since disaster struck San Diego so many folks are still in need of help. Here's an opportunity to help, all while taking in a great night of music.
San Diego Live Aid Benefit for Flood Survivors: Thursday, Nov. 21 at Humphrey's Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 6 p.m. $24-$40. humphreysbackstagelive.com .
San Diego has a vibrant opera scene, with shows big and small and even an opera-inspired bistro, DivoDiva, for locals to enjoy. Among the reasons for operas' continued popularity in the area is the attention given to young singers. On Nov. 9, the musical genres' biggest opportunity for rising stars, the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, will take place at Baker Baum Hall. Many past winners have gone on to worldwide fame, with local mezzo Sarah Saturnino named one of six national winners in April at a ceremony in New York. Opera fans won't want to miss this chance to catch tomorrow's stars on their way up.
Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition: Saturday, Nov. 9 at The Baker Baum Concert Hall at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave. 10 a.m. theconrad.org.
Although string quartets are synonymous with classical music, one group, the Vitamin String Quartet (VSQ), aims to change that perception. The VSQ, who perform at the Epstein Family Amphitheater on Nov. 15, was formed in 1999, its mission is to transform modern tunes by the likes of Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, or Kate Bush, into symphonic musical works. It's a formula, that has yielded amazing results for the group, with their music's appearance on numerous hit television and movie soundtracks, including the likes of "Bridgerton" and "Dr. Who," helping them reach more than 2 billion online music streams. Fans of the original artists covered will love these new versions of their favorite tunes, but classical music fans in general will also appreciate the wonderful song arrangements by these gifted musicians.
Vitamin String Quartet: Friday, Nov. 15 at the Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9500 Gilman Drive. 7:30 p.m. $18 – $50. amphitheater.ucsd.edu.
San Diego-based indie rock band Pinback's recent show at the Sound, celebrating the 20th anniversary of their album, "Summer in Abbadon," was such a sold-out success that a second concert has been scheduled for Nov. 15. An indie album rarely receives this sort of attention, but "Summer in Abbadon," is a special release. Produced by Zach Smith and Rob Crow in a home studio, the influence of the album has grown over the decades, with songs such as "Fortress" and "Non Photo-Blue," standing the test of time. For local Pinback fans, this show is already a must, but novices to their melodic rock sound will also find this performance to be the perfect introduction.
Pinback: Friday, Nov. 15 at The Sound, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. 8 p.m. $44 – $72. thesoundsd.com.
Long-running Scottish funk and R&B group, The Average White Band's, farewell tour stops at Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay on Nov. 16. Formed in 1972, the seven-piece band is still led by bassist Alan Gorrie and guitarist Owen "Onnie" McIntyre, having released 13 studio albums, plus an equal amount of live recordings and compilations, during the group's lifetime. The Average White Band will have audience members up on their feet dancing from the concert's first notes, with the biggest crowd roars sure to be for 1974's No. 4 hit, "Pick Up The Pieces." Adding a nice bonus to the night, award-winning San Diego R&B/jazz vocalist Rebecca Jade will open the show.
Average White Band: Saturday, Nov. 16 at Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 7:30 p.m. $68. humphreysconcerts.com .
Acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Jonny Tarr performs at Estancia on Nov. 19. Winner of both Album of the Year and Pop Album of the Year for his release, "The Rules" at the 2024 San Diego Music Awards, Tarr performs around town with various size combos, however for this show he will play in solo mode, using looping to get a full band sound. For intimate shows such as this, Tarr does play covers, but his excellent originals are well worth hearing. His latest release is a single in collaboration with Sean Witkin, "TLD," with a new album in the works. The bar is set pretty high, but Tarr is up to the challenge.
Jonny Tarr: Tuesday, Nov. 19 at Estancia, 9700 N Torrey Pines Road. 6 p.m. No cover. estancialajolla.com.
