WEDNESDAY 11/30
JAZZ
ECHO FABRIC
Echo Fabric is a new Santa Cruz outfit blending traditional jazz with electronic sounds, including arpeggiated synthesizers, sequenced basslines and synth piano. Founded by multi-instrumentalist Jon Lukas, whose resume includes creating music for website intros of Silicon Valley tech companies in the ’90s, Echo Fabric is designed to “bring the audience in with familiar jazz elements, then introduce exciting, original, contemporary territory.” On Wednesday, Lukas is joined by jazz vocalist Magdalena, Olaf Schiappacasse on drums and Brad Hecht on saxophone. CAT JOHNSON
INFO: 7:30 p.m. The Crow’s Nest, 2218 E Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz. $3. 476-4560.
THURSDAY 12/1
JAZZ
CAMILA MEZA QUARTET
It seems entirely fitting that Chilean-born guitarist/vocalist Camila Meza concludes 2016 by making her California debut with her own band. On her earlier visits this year, the New York-based musician contributed vocals to trombonist Ryan Keberle’s South American-inflected band Catharsis, and joined Cuban pianist/composer Fabian Almazan at SFJAZZ on vocals and guitar. She co-headlined an all-star concert at the Stanford Jazz Festival with Israeli guitar star Gilad Hekselman, but she caps a banner Bay Area year with her blazing young quartet featuring pianist James Francies and drummer Jeremy Dutton, rising players from Houston, and Israeli bassist Or Bareket. She’ll be focusing on music from her gorgeous, sumptuously melodic 2016 album Traces (Sunnyside). ANDREW GILBERT
INFO: 7 p.m. Kuumbwa Jazz, 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $20/adv, $25/door. 427-2227.
Friday 12/2
ALTERNATIVE
PETER MURPHY
“Bela Lugosi’s Dead” is arguably the eeriest song to come out of the early-’80s British postpunk revolution. When Bauhaus broke up in 1983, singer Peter Murphy carried on as a solo artist. His 1989 record Deep was a turning point that merged goth with college pop. Much of his later work explores Middle Eastern music, but the unifying factor is a haunting, and heart-wrenching baritone that carries emotion like no other. He’s doing his “stripped” tour, bringing stripped-down versions of his music from across his discography. AARON CARNES
INFO: 7:30 p.m. Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $33. 423-8209.
SATURDAY 12/3
BLUEGRASS
FLYPAPER BLUES
Newly established local band Flypaper Blues is made up of Trevor Bridge, Lauren Wahl, Devon Pearse and Darlene Norman, featuring two-part female harmonies, driving upright bass rhythms, fiddle, mandolin and acoustic guitars. Adding to Santa Cruz’s growing roster of bluegrass bands, the Flypaper Blues draw inspiration from traditional bluegrass, folk, and alt-country genres. Pigmanlion opens the set. KATIE SMALL
INFO: 9 p.m. Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $8. 429-6994.
HIP-HOP
FLOBOTS
The Flobots’ unique mix of hip-hop, rap and alternative rock results in an unparalleled sound landing somewhere between Eminem and Green Day. The Denver natives stand out for their passionate activism and socially charged lyrics that focus on racial justice, immigration reform and the fight for a living minimum wage. Their newest album, NOENEMIES, is a crowdfunded collection of protest music. For over a year, the group has been hosting monthly workshops that blend community organizing with choir practice in a celebratory atmosphere; intended to “equip movement participants to create and lead songs designed to embody the change we want to see in the world.” KS
INFO: 9 p.m. Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $12/adv, $15/door. 479-1854.
SUNDAY 12/4
EXPERIMENTAL
HENRY KAISER & EVIL GENIUS
A prolific composer and guitarist whose stylistic comfort zone is seemingly boundless, Henry Kaiser is a longtime fixture of the Bay Area music scene. An accomplished sideman, as well, he has appeared on more than 250 albums and scored dozens of TV shows and films. On Sunday, Kaiser is joined by Santa Cruz experimental standout act the Walkers, comprising brothers Bill and Rick Walker, whose genre-defying musical adventures have made them long-running local favorites. Also on the bill is the Portland/Los Angeles band Evil Genius, an experimental jazz trio that draws from punk, rock, jazz and more. The evening promises to be an exciting night of musical barrier-pushing, looping and experimental adventuring. CJ
INFO: 7 p.m. Don Quixote’s, 6275 Hwy. 9, Felton. $10. 335-2800.
HIP-HOP
HOW THE GROUCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
Two of the biggest names to come out of the Living Legend collective, Murs and the Grouch left the group back in 2012. But the Grouch, who puts on the annual “How the Grouch Stole Christmas” tour, has something special planned for this, its 10th year: he’s gotten the entire original lineup of the Living Legends together to rock venues all over the country. AC
INFO: 8 p.m. Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $30/adv, $35/door. 429-4135.
TUESDAY 12/6
POP-FOLK
BENJAMIN FRANCIS LEFTWICH
Singer-songwriter Benjamin Francis Leftwich cites the late, great Nick Drake as a key influence, and the influence is clear. Leftwich, who hails from York, England, draws from indie-pop and folk, but his breathy vocals, heart-on-sleeve songwriting and lush, lovely instrumentation reveal his Drake discipleship. Where Leftwich veers off, however, is with his skillful use of electronics to add texture and weight to his sound. Where Drake stuck to acoustic sounds, Leftwich takes a more experimental, rock approach to his instrumentation—which is fine, because you’d be a fool to try to simply recreate the inimitable, lasting beauty of Drake’s compositions. CJ
INFO: 9 p.m. Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $15. 423-1338.
BLUES-ROCK
DOYLE BRAMHALL II
Doyle Bramhall II is one of those guys that you’ve definitely heard before (he’s recorded with Eric Clapton, Erykah Badu, Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson and more), but may not recognize. He’s worth getting to know, though, and not just because he can play guitar even when it’s strung upside-down. He just released a solo record, Rich Man, his fourth album and first in 15 years. It’s a rocker of a blues album that is sure to please anyone with a pulse. Much of the material is a tribute to his late father, an incredible musician in his own right. AC
INFO: 8:30 p.m. Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $15/adv, $20/door, 479-1854.
IN THE QUEUE
TOMMY CASTRO
Rocking blues from a contemporary favorite. Friday at Moe’s Alley
BEATS ANTIQUE
Electro-meets-world fusion standout group. Friday at Catalyst
IRISH CHRISTMAS IN AMERICA
Celtic sounds and stylings for Christmas. Friday at Kuumbwa
PEDRITO MARTINEZ GROUP
New York-based Afro-Cuban outfit. Monday at Kuumbwa
TONY FURTADO
Renowned bluegrass multi-instrumentalist. Monday at Don Quixote’s
