Thursday | 2/18

ALO

Perhaps better known by its original name, the Animal Liberation Orchestra, ALO rose from the ashes of a number of less successful but beloved Bay Area bands and surfed to greater recognition thanks to the patronage of folk-folk maven Jack Johnson, who signed the band to his label following a 2005 joint tour. Now a favorite on the jam band circuit, ALO genially meanders between funk-rock freakouts, pastoral folk, sturdy rock & roll and improvisatory release. The band has streamlined its expansive sound in recent years, particularly since the 2007 release Roses & Clover, but even though the approach is slightly more radio-friendly than before, the result remains as heady and mind-expanding as ever. Tonight's show benefits Haiti relief efforts. Moe's Alley; $20; 9pm. (Paul M. Davis)

Friday | 2/19

G. LOVE & SPECIAL SAUCE

Though he started as a laid-back slinger of blues-inflected, hip-hop-referencing folk, G. Love's unlikely amalgamation has evolved over time into something much more weighty. Since the early comparisons to Beck—due mostly to time and proximity, as G. Love shared little of Beck's Dadaist glee—he has in recent years opted for a more ruminative route, exploring the folk and rock end of the equation more than hip-hop. Still, as G. Love's voice has matured, many things have remained the same, including the stripped-down economy of his spare arrangements. Catalyst; $20 advance/$25 door; 9pm. (PMD)

FRED EAGLESMITH

If you're going to a Fred Eaglesmith show, you'd better be on your toes. He'll have you rolling with laughter from a ridiculous story and holding back tears during a profoundly touching song. Then, satisfied the audience's defenses are down, he'll toss in an underhanded comment about something you care about, like vegetables or Santa Cruz, just to reassert his tough-guy persona. With a playful smile and seasoned strum, this master songwriter draws you into the world as he knows it, delivering deeply personal songs pulled from a place of great insight, strength and beauty. Kuumbwa; $23; 7 and 9pm. (Cat Johnson)

Saturday | 2/20

MEDESKI, MARTIN AND WOOD

What started out as three guys playing a unique blend of jazz, hip-hop and extended improvisational jams around New York City in the '90s led to multiple engagements at legendary hotspots, tours around the Eastern U.S. and the independently released Notes From the Underground. Nineteen years later, Medeski, Martin & Wood have played around the world, established an intensely loyal following, released several albums for jazz monolith Blue Note and circled back around to creative independence. With the formation of their own label, Indirecto Records, the members of MM&W have liberated themselves from contractual obligations and are happily playing "their own music, their own way, in its own time." Rio Theatre; $26.25 advance/$30 door; 8pm. (CJ)

ALBOROSIE

Sicilian-born Alberto D'Ascola made reggae's holy hajj to Kingston in 2001 and in the process became Alboroise. Since then, he's been on the short list of the island's most up-and-coming acts—or at least one of the most exciting nonnatives to hoist the Kingston dub flag. Specializing in roots reggae rhythms with gritty urban themes, the multi-instrumentalist and singer relies on a sandpaper-throated vocal cannon to lob lyrical shrapnel about Jah, war, women and weed. Backing up the Italian stallion is the eight-piece reggae orchestra the Shengen Clan. Catalyst; $20 advance/$25 door; 9pm. (Curtis Cartier)

Monday | 2/22

DAVID SANBORN TRIO

For a man most commonly associated with radio-friendly smooth jazz, alto sax star David Sanborn goes out of his way to decry the genre. Not that he'll be giving back the six Grammy Awards he won for smooth jazz classics like Voyeur and Double Vision, but still, Kenny G is not someone Sanborn wants in his "sounds like" list on iTunes. And for all intents and purposes, Sanborn has succeeded beautifully. Not only has he cashed in on the boatloads of cash waiting for jazz musicians who can go mainstream, he's a critical darling and has worked with the biggest names in music. Maybe it's because he doesn't rock a perm ... Kuumbwa; $30 advance/$33 door; 7 and 9pm. (CC)

Tuesday | 2/23

311

Supporters of hip-hop, rock, funk, reggae, marijuana, sex and space aliens have always been well served by Omaha quintet 311. For more than 20 years now, Nick Hexum, P-Nut, Tim Mahoney and the rest of Clan Cornhusker have been shucking out feel-good vibes and high energy shows to their gluttonous herds of fans. After a four-year studio hiatus, which saw more than a few nasty rumors fly that perhaps the funk farmers had hung up their pitchforks, the boys returned in '09 with Uplifter and are using their gig at the Cat to kick off a spring tour. All that's left to say now is: "Yo P-Nut, beat that thing!" Catalyst; $38 advance/$42 door; 9pm. (CC)

JORMA KAUKONEN & G.E. SMITH

Guitarist Jorma Kaukonen of Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna fame has always seemed to revel in a bit of willful obscurity. In recent years he's concerned himself primarily with running a joint ranch-guitar camp in rural Ohio, occasionally emerging to hit the road. The relative rarity of Kaukonen sightings makes this tour a treat for fans of guitar fireworks, particularly because it also features the mean-mugging, blond-ponytailed G.E. Smith, who has been remarkably prolific since he left his iconic gig as the leader of the Saturday Night Live band. Rio Theatre; $22; 8pm. (PMD)

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