Lots of good listening this week

By “Mister Joe” Pinson and Kathy Edwards McFarland

L L Cool J once said: You’ve got to stay focused without being boring – because all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Skinny, but dull.

The week ahead: February 12-19, 2013

TONIGHT – Tuesday, February 12:

• Annual Fat Tuesday Celebration at Sweetwater Grill & Tavern, 115 S. Elm St., Denton, with Strictly Dixie at 7 p.m., Vintage Jazz Society at 8 p.m., and a huge jam session at 9 p.m. – ALL FREE. The Vintage Jazz Society was the first band to ever perform at Sweetwater. Chef Jimmy has cooked up a fantastic New Orleans-style menu and the crawfish have been delivered! We started something, and we are very proud of that. Come out and help us celebrate.
• Brave Combo, http://brave.com/bo/, performs Mardi Gras Madness with the Dallas Wind Symphony at the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, 8 p..m. – check online for details – http://www.dws.org/concerts/2012-13-concert-season

Wednesday, February 13:

• The Green House Residency with Robert Gomez, Dan’s Silver Leaf, 103 Industrial, Denton, 5 p.m. – FREE. The Ruby Jane Show, http://www.rubyjane.org/shows.html, follows at 8 p.m. – $10
  

  Ruby Jane – Vocalist and fiddle/violin player

• University of North Texas Seven O’Clock and Six O’Clock Lab Bands perform in The Syndicate (inside the Union) at 9 p.m.

Thursday, February 14:

• UNT Four O’Clock Lab Band performs in the One O’Clock Lounge (inside the Union) at noon – FREE
• Open Mic at Banter Bistro, 219 W Oak St., Denton, 8 p.m.- FREE

Friday, February 15:

• Jazz by Oui Bis starts off the night Banter Bistro, 219 W Oak St., Denton, at 6 p.m.- followed by Uver, 8 p.m. and Kristy Kruger & Ginny Mac, 10 p.m. ALL FREE

Saturday, February 16:

• Brandon Jones Quintet (jazz), Banter Bistro, 219 W Oak St, Denton, at 6 p.m.- followed by Medicinal Bourbon, 8 p.m.- BOTH FREE

Sunday, February 17:

• Brad Leali Jazz Orchestra celebrates Black History Month with Gospel Meets Jazz, featuring original arrangements by Claus Raible, and a gospel choir comprised of voice students under the direction of Jazz Vocal Director Jennifer Barnes. UNT’s Voertman Hall at 5 p.m. – FREE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2b2Taerzjo

Monday, February 18:

• A Taste of Herb (Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass tribute band) at Dan’s Silver Leaf, 103 Industrial, Denton, 5
  

  A Taste of Herb

  p.m. – FREE

• Brad Leali Bop Orchestra plays the patio at Sweetwater Grill & Tavern, 115 S. Elm St., Denton, 7-9 p.m. – FREE
• UNT Composers Forum presents Spectrum in the Recital Hall, 8 p.m. – FREE

Tuesday, February 19:

• The fabulous house band Sweetwater Jazz Quartet – Jim
  

  James Riggs and Neil Slater of the Sweetwater Jazz Quartet.

  Riggs, Neil Slater, Lou Carfa, and Ron Fink – performs at Sweetwater Grill & Tavern, 115 S. Elm St., Denton, 7-9 p.m. – FREE