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South Bay Accent - Jun/Jul 2015

72 South Bay Accent AUG. 19 Diana Krall Jazz pianist and vocalist DIANA KRALL is known for recording an eclectic assortment of musical styles, ranging from Brazilian songs to 1930s jazz tunes. Her latest album, “Wallflower,” is a collection of favorites originally recorded by performers including THE EAGLES (“Desperado”), THE MAMAS & THE PAPAS (“California Dreamin’”) and ELTON JOHN (“Operator, That’s Not The Way It Feels”). Krall performs these works in a mellow style, slowing down the songs and enhancing them with her exceptional piano skills. Hear them for yourself when the topselling female jazz artist of the last 30 years visits Saratoga. Tickets $59.50–$129.50. The Mountain Winery, 14831 Pierce Road, Saratoga. 888/929-7849. AUG. 29 Luke Bryan with Florida Georgia Line and More Georgia native LUKE BRYAN got his start writing songs for the likes of TRAVIS TRITT and BILLY CURRINGTON and has only been known on the national music scene for eight years. But already he’s won the hearts and minds of fans as well as the 2013 Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year award. With his big smile and rugged good looks, Bryan has a guy-next-door demeanor; yet songs such as his “Country Girl (Shake it for Me)” suggests, Bryan likes to have a good time, too. He visits the South Bay with up-and-coming stars FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE. Tickets $55.75–$99.75. Levi’s Stadium, 4900 Marie DeBartolo Way, Santa Clara. 800/745-3000. AUGUST 12 stages of live music and takes place in and around Plaza de Cesar Chavez. This year’s lineup includes 10- time Grammy Award-winner EDDIE PALMIERI, as well as ETIENNE CHARLES & CREOLE SOUL, LETIERES LEITE & ORKESTRA RUMPILEZZ, GLEN DAVID ANDREWS, CHIHIRO YAMANAKA TRIO, DAVINA AND THE VAGABONDS, VILLALOBOS BROTHERS and SULTANS OF STRING—among many others. For a complete lineup, visit sanjosejazz. org. Tickets $15-$345, with children’s pricing available. Plaza de Cesar Chavez, Market and San Carlos streets, San Jose. AUG. 7-9 Outside Lands Every summer for three days, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park transforms from a relatively tranquil resting spot to one of the country’s most popular music festivals. OUTSIDE LANDS presents more than 75 bands, lots of food, wine, beer, comedy and art. The notoriously diverse event highlights a wide range of musical genres, with 2015 headliners ELTON JOHN, MUMFORD & SONS and THE BLACK KEYS setting the tone this year. The rest of the lineup is just as varied and includes SAM SMITH, BILLY IDOL, LINDSEY STERLING and WILCO. Get tickets early because they sell out fast. Tickets $135–$695. Visit sfoutsidelands.com for more information. AUG. 10 Aretha Franklin Few musicians have earned quite as much respect as ARETHA FRANKLIN. For nearly six decades, the reigning “Queen of Soul” has been wowing audiences with her vocal talent. What started out as gospel singing has evolved into an unparalleled R&B career. Her classic songs such as “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” and “Think” remain popular more than 50 years after they were first released, and she’s still earning Grammy Awards, including a 2008 win for “Never Gonna Break My Faith,” which she recorded with Mary J. AUG. 7 Idina Menzel Her smash hit “Let it Go” from Disney’s “Frozen” took the world by storm last year, instantly making IDINA MENZEL a household name and the envy of just about every little girl age 3 and older. But the singer’s work is no child’s play—prior to “Frozen,” the commanding Broadway performer won a Tony Award for her role as Elphaba in “Wicked,” and “Glee” fans know her for a recurring part as Shelby Corcoran. Currently she’s starring on Broadway in “If/ Then,” where she uses her amazingly powerful vocals to “blow the roof off the theatre,” according to New York Magazine. Tickets $34–$134. Concord Pavilion, 2000 Kirker Pass Road, Concord. 800/745-3000. AUG. 7–9 San Jose Jazz Summer Fest Nationally recognized as one of the biggest Latin festivals in the country, SAN JOSE JAZZ SUMMER FEST attracts tens of thousands of visitors to downtown San Jose each year. Now in its 26th season, the outdoor celebration features Blige. Expect a packed arena for the iconic singer’s show. Tickets $40.48–$130.95. Oracle Arena, 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland. 800/745-3000. AUG. 14–15 Taylor Swift Recently named to Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People list, TAYLOR SWIFT enjoys stratospheric popularity achieved by only a select handful of performers. Fans can’t get enough of the singer-songwriter who gracefully handles the pressures of stardom and still maintains the ability to laugh at herself. Swift’s move from her longtime hometown of Nashville to New York City seems to be reflected in her music, which shifted from country-crossover to full-on pop last year with her latest album, “1989.” Swifties will be out in hordes this August, ready to “Shake it Off” when the megastar comes to town. Tickets $55.50–$196. Levi’s Stadium, 4900 Marie DeBartolo Way, Santa Clara. 800/745-3000. AUG. 14 Nicki Minaj With her colorful wigs and costumes, seductive dance moves and animated rap style NICKI MINAJ knows how to get an audience’s attention. In the five years since she debuted her first album, “Pink Friday,” the musician has racked up numerous awards, including five consecutive BET Awards for Best Female Hip-Hop artist. Her unique flow style of rapping incorporates alter egos and accents, adding to her catchy songs such as “Starships” that get people of all ages on the dance floor. Tickets $30–$125.75. Concord Pavilion, 2000 Kirker Pass Road, Concord. 800/745-3000. DIANA KRALL E THE LOOK OF LOVE LUKE BRYAN E COUNTRY GIRL (SHAKE IT FOR ME) IDINA MENZEL E LET IT GO


South Bay Accent - Jun/Jul 2015
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