Friday, Aug. 24 – Volker-Strifler
Volker Strifler is probably best known as the “other” guitarist in Robben Ford’s band. Though not exactly a household name, Volker Strifler should be. As a longtime associate of the famous Ford brothers (Robben, Patrick and Mark), Strifler had proven his mettle as a guitarist and singer a long time ago. But with his new CD, “Let the Music Rise,” he delivers the complete package in the form of superb lyrics and vocals, as well as skill as a producer, in addition to his accomplished fretwork.
HopMonk Tavern – Sebastopol
829-7300
Saturday, Aug. 25 – Frobeck
This would be my personal Hot Pick of the weekend – One of the hottest funk rock groups of the North Bay, Frobeck has been entertaining audiences with their original funk rock music since 2005. Boasting a full lineup of high octane lead vocals, bass, drums, guitars, keys, replete with sultry backing vocals, Frobeck covers all the bases. Their songs and musicianship have landed them on stage with such acts as Bill Champlin, Booker T, Ozomatli, WAR, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, Los Lonely Boys and many others. With the recent addition of the “Frobeck Horn Stars,” the band has entered into the realm of their musical heroes; Tower of Power, the Sons of Champlin, and Stevie Wonder. You can definitely shake you booty to these guys.
HopMonk Tavern – Sebastopol
829-7300
Saturday, Aug. 25 – Brandi Carlile
From her earliest days on Seattle’s coffeehouse circuit, Carlile has demonstrated an uncommon gift for connecting with fans. Her remarkable vocals, by turns nuanced and raw, brilliantly uninhibited and always expressive convey a palpable emotion that seeps through every song.
Wells Fargo Center – Santa Rosa
546-3600
Tuesday, Aug. 28 – Diana Krall
This multi-platinum artist has written a new chapter in acoustic jazz improvisation. Krall has sold more than six million albums in the U.S. and over 15 million worldwide and she is the only jazz singer to have eight albums debuting at the top of the Billboard Jazz Albums. Her latest project has Krall and her band backing up Paul McCartney on his new release, “Kisses from the Bottom.”
Wells Fargo Center – Santa Rosa
546-3600
Saturday, Aug. 25 – Levi Lloyd and the 501 Blues Band
Levi Lloyd is a blues veteran, having played with B. B. King, John Lee Hooker and toured worldwide as the longtime guitarist for the legendary Joe Louis Walker. Lloyds well-worn ’68 Les Paul guitar and lowdown vocals tell it all. The band also won this years North Bay Music Awards for the best blues band.
Tradewinds – Cotati
795-7878