Editor's Pick: Otis Taylor

Saturday, February 7

Legendary bluesman Otis Taylor will showcase music from his latest record, Recapturing the Banjo (Telarc), a project highlighting the historical African roots of the banjo, which came to the US along with the rise of slavery. In Taylor’s own words, “Over the years, the instrument just lost touch with its roots, and I’m just trying to re-establish that connection.” Taylor exposes the raw beauty of this momentous instrument through his pristine technique, reverberating, husky voice, and politicized lyrics. This signer-songwriter, with his musicianship and passionate storytelling, is, accordig to Guitar Player magazine, “arguably the most relevant blues artist of our time.” Born in Chicago, in 1948, a young Otis moved to Denver, Colorado and dove into the music scene with a used ukulele. Years later, after extensive touring followed by a hiatus from the industry, Taylor returned in full force at the dawn of the new millennium with the albums White African and Respect the Dead solidifying his name as a contemporary blues artist known for talent, originality, and his distinctive sound. Recapturing the Banjo features some of today’s most accomplished banjo players, including Guy Davis, Corey Harris, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Keb’ Mo,’ and Don Vappie. Taylor also travels with his program “Writing the Blues,” visiting schools and universities—this trip the Genesee Community College being a case in point—and teaching about the musical genre that made him famous. Otis Taylor is a man that can both mystify and educate audiences with his music, utilizing a variety of styles that range from traditional to bluegrass to the experimental—an undisputed pioneer in the “trance blues” genre.

—lindsay berman

8 pm. Stuart Steiner Theater, Genesee Community College, 1 College Road, Batavia Campus (585-343-0055 x6814 / boxoffice@genesee.edu). $10 adult/$5 student, senior, GCC faculty or student/$2 discount for members of WNY Blues Society

Friday, January 6

AWS’ Mindfield: World Premiere

This Friday (Feb. 6), Sunday Skate Shop @ Soundlab will premier the heavily anticipated Alien Workshop Skateboards’ video MindField. This is an all-ages showing, where doors will open at 8pm with the video beginning at 9pm. With an original drop date of August the prospect of seeing MindField has been teasing skateboard fans for quite some time now. Alien Workshop (AWS) has assembled an uber-talented group of skaters, and with the likes of Mike Taylor, Arto Saari, and Rob Dyrdek it is hard to imagine that this movie will disappoint. AWS has a history of putting out impressive videos such as Memory Screen, Time Code, and Photosynthesis. Mind Field is expected to be of similar stock.

—justin sondel

9pm. Soundlab, 110. Pearl St. (www.bigorbitgallery.org/soundlab).

Friday, February 6

Zili Misik

This Friday (Feb. 6) night the eight-piece, all female, Afro-Cuban music machine Zili Misik will take the stage at Nietzsche’s. The band, which was formed while all members were attending Boston’s Berklee College of Music,is comprised of members hailing from the U.S., Trinidad, and Japan. The group pulls influence from a wide range of genres including Haitian mizik rasin, jazz, roots reggae, samba, Afro-Cuban, and neo-soul. Zili Misik has won a Boston Music Award for Outstanding International Music Act 2008, and ROCKGRRL and Berklee College of Music’s Battle of the All-Female Bands. They have played at the Boston “Ahts” Festival, the Cambridge Carnival, and recently performed in Italy. Zili Misik’s music will make you want to dance, and the band will ethusiastically shout out and encourage the audience to do so. If you feel like shaking your ass to some hot Afro-Cuban beats, this is your spot this Friday.

—justin sondel

10:30pm. Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St. (886-8539 / www.nietzsches.com)

Saturday, February 7

Royal Crowns

Since 1990, the Toronto trio Royal Crowns have earned their status as a Canadian national music treasure—at least for those who like it smooth but son’t mind it a lttle greasy. The Crowns’ hep blend of rockabilly, jazz, rock and roll, country, and surf— both on record and as an unstoppable live combo— has not only brought them a fervent fan base in rockabilly and roots circles but well beyond. The National Post put their 32 Miles From Memphis on its list of “Top Canadian Albums of All Time.” The Crowns’ latest album, After Dark (Maple Music), was issued in November and further builds on their energetic sound—perfect for playing through the car radio, especially if you are driving a big old Chevy or Ford from the 1950s. Like we do so many things Canadian, WNY loves this band, and now there’s even more reason for it: Upright bass-slinging Buffalonian Jason Adams—a cool guy with a cool car—recently joined up with guitarist-singer Danny Bartley and drummer Teddy Fury as a full-time Crown. See them on Saturday (Feb. 7), with special guests the Bertelmen.

—donny kutzbach

10pm. Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St (www.mohawkplace.com). $7

Saturday, February 7

Labbatt’s Pond Hockey Tournament 2009

This Saturday (Feb. 7) Labatt Blue will host the Second Annual Buffalo Pond Hockey Tournament at Erie Basin Marina. Last year’s tournament was a big success, and this year they have added more rinks to allow more teams to enter. Sixy-four teams in three talent brackets will compete on eight rinks. The play will be four on four with no goalie and a 1’X6’ net, in the tradition of “shinny” pond hockey. The first face offs will begin at seven a.m., and the last games will end at five p.m. Shanghai Red’s will be providing spectators with food, drinks, and an optimal view of the tournament from their patio. There will be chili, pizza, chicken fingers, and a whole list of other foods available along with—of course—cold Labbatt’s Blue and Blue Light. (A cash bar will be available inside the restaurant for those who take a different poison). This tournament celebrates the roots of hockey, a game that has been part of WNY tradition for generations. Visit www.performaxhockey.com for tournament information and game schedules.

—justin sondel

7am-5pm. Erie Basin Marina, 329 Erie St. Shanghai Red’s, 2 Templeton Terrace (852-7337).

Tuesday, February 10

Dykes of Hazard

This Tuesday night (Feb. 10), the Doin’ Time Comedy Showcase will feature a very special farewell address to Buffalo from the Dykes of Hazard, before they head south for New Orleans, where they have been offered a weekly gig in the French Quarter. They describe their shows as the “best in homo and homo-friendly comedy, with perhaps a burlesque dancer or two.” What started as the idea of comedian Kristen Becker, who splits her time between Buffalo and New Orleans and who hand-picked the members of the group, has turned into what she calls “the hottest thing in lesbian entertainment crossing the country.” The evening will feature Becker (a.k.a. the Comic Daredevil), Sarah Donaldson, and Dawn Whitwell. The Dykes of Hazard have survived tours that took them from the Bible belt to Canada, so here’s betting they’ll arrive in Louisiana in fine form, having picked up more than a few fans along the way.

—lindsay berman

8pm. Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St. (886-8539 / www.nietzsches.com). $5 at door

Wednesday, February 11

High Places

Described as a mix of surf, hardcore, and trance, High Places (self-titled debut now available on Thrill Jockey Records) is the duo Mary Pearson and Rob Barber. In true romantic canon-form, Mary and Rob met while she was completing a performance degree in bassoon and he was working in visual art. After relocating to New York, their collaboration’s title was named to honor the mental transcendence resulting from their musical and spiritual union. Their sound contains a syncopated-bass background combined with an airy touch of folk, electronica, and echoing, fluid vocals. For their latest record, they used instruments ranging from 12-string guitars, to banjos, bells, plastic bags, and mixing bowls. During performances, the band creates their signature mystical aura with original, layered recordings, looping sounds live and then adding drums and singing. Opening for them will be Soft Circle, a one-man show, modern musical project.

—lindsay berman

9pm. Soundlab,110 Pearl St. (883-3209 / www.bigorbitgallery.org/soundlab). $8-10

Thursday, February 12

BPO Benefit: The Music of Queen feat. Black Widow

Buffalo rock band Black Widow (whose other incarnation is Lana & Hund) will headline a benefit concert for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra called “The Music of Queen: A Tribute.” Rock duo Michael and Lana Hund are staples of the local music scene, with Michael also playing in the Jamie Moses Band at Merlin’s e very Werdnesday night (where Lana often moonlights to provide some female vocals), among numerous other projects. Patrons can enter to win an autographed guitar signed by the Toronto Company of “We Will Rock You,” the musical by QUEEN and Ben Elton. The event also will allow guests a special one-night only viewing of an authentic piece of memorabilia from Freddie Mercury’s personal collection.

7pm. Hard Rock Cafe, 333 Prospect St. Niagara Falls, NY. $10 includes one complimentary drink. Call 885-5000 or visit www.BPO.org for tickets/info