THURSDAY, SEPT. 18
JAZZ
PURPLE GUMS
Cornetist Bobby Bradford is best known as an early and intermittent collaborator with alto saxophone legend Ornette Coleman. His equally visionary partnership with L.A. clarinetist John Carter encompassed several ensembles responsible for treasured recordings that should be far better known today. Since Carter’s death, Bradford has continued to toil fruitfully in jazz’s adventurous frontiers on his own. At 91, having lost his house in the Altadena Fire, he says “music is all I have left,” and no group better displays his telegraphic prowess than the pocket brass trio Purple Gums, featuring tuba master William Roper and San Francisco tenor saxophonist Francis Wong. The three-night residency is presented by drummer Sameer Gupta’s Rootstock Arts. – ANDREW GILBERT
INFO: Thu, 7:30pm, Wyldflowr Arts, 809 37th St., Oakland. $10-$60. 510.842.5055.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 18
JAZZ
ANEESA STRINGS
East Oakland bassist, singer and composer Aneesa Strings’ talent was recognized early by Oaktown jazz director Khalil Shaheed. He encouraged her to audition for the SFJazz High School All-Stars so, at 17, she was hauling her double bass across the Bay on BART. She excelled in the program and continues to excel, called upon by major artists to compose, create and lead musical direction. As a solo artist she is touring jazz festivals, including Newport, the Hollywood Bowl and Montreal. Listen to her inspired riff on the Beatles Abbey Road classic, “Come Together/No Diggity,” to hear why. – JANIS HASHE
INFO: Thu, 7:30 & 9:30pm, Yoshi’s, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. $36-$69. 510.238.9200.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 18
FOLK
BERKELEY OLD-TIME MUSIC CONVENTION
Featuring workshops, jam sessions, dances, panel discussions and two major multi-act concerts, the Berkeley Old-Time Music Convention brings activities to Berkeley from Sept. 17-21 across venues including Ashkenaz, La Peña, the Starry Plough and the Berkeley Public Library. Many of the events are free, but the flagship ticketed concerts take place at the Freight, with Thursday’s triple bill featuring fiddle master Bruce Molsky, the Ozark Highballers and the Oakland Public Conservatory’s Black Banjo & Fiddle Fellows. Friday’s program includes vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Jake Blount with Judy Hyman and Jeff Claus, dulcimer player and vocalist Sarah Kate Morgan, and fiddler Suzy Thompson. – AG
INFO: Thu, 7pm, The Freight, 2020 Addison St., Berkeley. $35-$40. 510.644.2020.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 19
HIP-HOP
AMINÉ
When people claim the Westside in hip-hop, it’s normally assumed they’re repping L.A., or at least California. But since his mixtape drop in 2014 that flex also goes to Portland if Aminé has anything to say about it. Two years later he gained fame with his “Caroline” single which peaked at No. 11 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. Earlier this year he released his third studio album, 13 Months of Sunshine, which has several surprise guests, including Toro Y Moi. He wrote the entire album keeping in mind that he would want to write lyrics he would be proud to read in front of a small group of people, music or not. – MAT WEIR
INFO: Fri, 8pm, Fox Theater, 1807 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. $62-$203. 510.302.2250.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 19
HIP-HOP
CUPCAKKE
Chicago rapper Cupcakke built her name on gleefully explicit, high-voltage anthems, but her catalog runs deeper than shock value. She can pivot from hilariously raunchy one-liners to sharp-eyed social commentary in the space of a verse, tackling sexuality, poverty, LGBTQ+ rights and other heavy subjects. Her delivery is versatile too, switching from high-octane, rapid-fire bars to moments of raw vulnerability. After self-releasing a string of viral singles and mixtapes that turned heads in both the underground and the mainstream, she’s carved out a hip-hop niche where outrageous fun and hard truths collide. – SONYA BENNETT-BRANDT
INFO: Fri, 9pm, Cornerstone, 2367 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. $45. 510.214.8600.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 20
PUNK
NINETY POUND WUSS
Those old enough to remember the 1990s most likely remember the name Ninety Pound Wuss. Especially if those people listened to the Tooth & Nail Records catalogue. Started in 1994, Ninety Pound Wuss released three full-lengths over the next six years. However being a Christian band in the punk scene proved to be difficult, and the band broke up in 2000. Two years ago, they got back together to play a couple of reunion shows that ended up sparking their fire once more. Now, the band is ready to play their first California shows in a quarter of a century, and what better place than the epicenter of the Bay Area punk scene? – MW
INFO: Sat, 7pm, 924 Gilman St., Berkeley. $15/adv, $20/door. 510.525.9926.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 20
THEATER
‘OY, WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT LOVE’
Storytelling and documentary mash up in one-man performer Steve Budd’s investigation of love. Seeking answers about love’s ruptures and raptures, the venerable, charismatic performer conducted dozens of interviews. Performing multiple characters as the people he met—amorous couples one moment, enemies engaged in battle the next—Budd’s transformational chops are on full display. He is also terrifically funny, with clever timing for dangling a blow, then delivering it full throttle with laughs, not lethality. Performances go until Oct. 25. – LOU FANCHER
INFO: Sat, 8 pm, The Marsh, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley, $25-$100. 415.282.3055.
SUNDAY, SEPT. 21
SHOEGAZE
SLOW CRUSH
Belgium’s Slow Crush drapes heavy guitars in gauzy layers of sound, marrying shoegaze shimmer with grunge force. Since their 2018 debut, Aurora, the quartet has built a reputation for transporting live shows that feel both crushing and ethereal, a tidal wave seen through mist. Their new record, August release Thirst, deepens that duality; vocalist/bassist Isa Holliday’s haunted vocals float above roaring distortion and pulse-driven rhythms. It’s half dream, half nightmare. Now in the midst of a U.S. and Canada tour, Slow Crush continues to pull audiences into its world of catharsis, haze and sheer volume. – SBB
INFO: Sun, 7pm, Crybaby, 1928 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. $28.
MONDAY, SEPT. 22
ROCK
SHRED IS DEAD
If Jerry Garcia were alive to hang out at the Ivy Room and groove to Marcus Rezak’s Grateful Dead tribute band Shred Is Dead, he’d likely bust out the tie-dye and get jammin’ onstage. Guitarist Rezak fronts many projects and has collaborated with musicians across the rock spectrum. He’s been quoted as saying, “I like to take the Grateful Dead and make it a little more high-octane, a little faster and a little more energized.” For this gig, he’ll be joined by the Bay Area’s own Anna Elva (“the dancing drummer”), Scott Guberman (Phil & Friends) and a “bass player surprise TBA!” Never too much “Sugar Magnolia.” – JH
INFO: Mon, 7pm, Ivy Room, 860 San Pablo Ave., Albany. $18-$23. 510.526.5888.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 24
INDIE-FOLK
THE HEAD AND THE HEART
The band co-founded by Josiah Johnson and Jonathan Russell in 2009 arrives at The Greek newly animated. A vigorous sixth album, Aperture, has infused their trademark indie-folk sound with re-energized songwriting and deep commitment to the unique musicianship of each of its six members. The unified sound is achieved by allowing individuals to play while circling around a common goal: honest voices and vast belief in art as healer, teacher, giver-of-hope. Maybe the sun will come up on the world envisioned: A world with head and heart held aloft, not separated into silos. Maybe it’s a model for living, or maybe it’s just a strong band with fresh vitality. – LF
INFO: Wed, 6pm, Greek Theatre, 2001 Gayley Rd., Berkeley. $78. 510.871.9225.
