SEPTEMBER:
9/21 — Ken Vandermark at detroit contemporary
Evoking comparisons to the likes of Eric Dolphy, John Coltrane and John Carter, Ken Vandermark is doubtlessly one of the leading saxophone players of this generation. His progressive approach to improvisation and influence in a variety of ensembles has earned him the prestigious MacArthur Foundation grant (an honor he shares with such jazz greats as Max Roach, Ornette Coleman, Steve Lacy and Anthony Braxton) and has made him a key figure in the vanguard of contemporary jazz. See him at detroit contemporary, 5141 Rosa Parks Blvd., Detroit. Call 313-898-4ART.
9/22 — Kevin Boyer and the Noise at the Lager House
From listening to one set of the punk-spirited power pop of Kevin Boyer and the Noise you realize that their playlists have heavy doses of Elvis Costello, the Replacements, Sonic Youth and the Clash. With hook-oriented songwriting and a penchant for the beautifully sophomoric ethic of high-volume rock ’n’ roll, they’re able to leave the tired shticks of retro rock in the dust. The Lager House is at 1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit. Call 313-961-4668.
9/23 — Black Eyed Peas at The Majestic Theatre
Influenced by soul, funk, jazz and Latin rhythms, the Black Eyed Peas are creative pioneers in their own right. Driven by a live band and on-stage acrobatics, their show at the Majestic will be one of the fall’s most exciting hip-hop events. The Majestic Theatre is at 4140 Woodward Ave., Detroit. Call 313-833-9700.
9/28 — Edith Frost at detroit contemporary
With unwavering sincerity and a dual affection for alt-country and experimentalism, Edith Frost has been one of the most original artists to emerge from the singer-songwriter side of roots music in the past five years. The show is at detroit contemporary, 5141 Rosa Parks Blvd., Detroit. Call 313-898-4ART.
OCTOBER:
10/2 — Graham Parker with The Figgs at The Magic Bag
One of the most celebrated artists to emerge on the outskirts of early-’70s pub-rock, Graham Parker’s sarcastic flair and abrasive, gritty rock ’n’ roll has afforded him the status of a cult legend. And though he claims that his influences were more rooted in Motown and soul than the guitars of the Rolling Stones, the products of his youth form a legacy of snotty, soulful sound. Supported by the melodic crunch of The Figgs, the show promises an earful. The Magic Bag is at 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale. Call 248-544-1991.
10/4-6 — AMG Edgefest at Kerrytown Concert House
With a lineup that includes avant-jazz notables such as 8 Bold Souls, Mark Helias’ Open Loose, The Park-Drake Duo, Knok Pack and The Barking Sphinx Ensemble, the AMG Edgefest will be a beautifully noisy three days with some of the most reputable names in creative music. The five-year-old festival has become an important haven for the oft-neglected avant-noise/creative music community of metro Detroit. Kerrytown Concert House is at 415 N. Fourth Ave., Ann Arbor. Call 734-769-2999.
10/5 — Cassandra Wilson at Orchestra Hall
Vocal-jazz star Cassandra Wilson, who covers artists from the Monkees to Miles, is part of the Ameritech Paradise Jazz Series. Orchestra Hall is at 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit. Call 313-576-5111.
10/18 - Tori Amos with Rufus Wainwright at The Fox Theatre
In an evening that brings together two of the most innovative songwriters in left-of-center pop music, Tori Amos will be joined by Rufus Wainwright. The Fox Theatre is at 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit. Call 313-983-6611.
NOVEMBER:
11/09 — Bob Dylan @ Cobo Arena
One of the most influential forces in pop music for 40 years, Bob Dylan returns to Detroit in support of his latest effort, Love and Theft. Cobo Arena is at 301 Civic Center Dr., Detroit. Call 313-983-6616.
11/10 — Margaret Cho at Royal Oak Theatre
Ripping stereotypes apart at the seams and throwing in a clit or two for controversy, America’s fave fag-hag, Margaret Cho, wallops through one of her most beloved subjects (sex) in her latest comedy concert tour, “Notorious C.H.O.” More of a storyteller than a joke machine, Cho has a coarse delivery style and her no-holds-barred content appeals to a diverse, laugh-out-loud audience. The Royal Oak Theatre is at 318 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak. Call 248-544-7938.
11/10-18 — Anoush at the Detroit Opera House
In a truly ambitious effort, the Michigan Opera Theatre will present Armen Tigranian’s 1910 opera Anoush, which has never been staged in its original language in North America. Set in the Armenian mountain villa of Lori, Anoush is replete with Armenian folk dance and songs and will be presented with English super-titles. The Detroit Opera House is 1526 Broadway, Detroit. Call 313-961-3500.
11/30 — Joshua Redman Quartet & The Brad Mehldau Trio at The Michigan Theater
As small-group leaders and individual performers, Josh Redman and Brad Mehldau are two of the most forward-thinking forces in jazz. Classically trained, Mehldau gained international exposure as the pianist for a different lineup of Redman’s quartet and their ties reach back to New York City in the late ’80s. In a reunion tour of sorts, they will share the same stage in what promises to be one of the season’s most invigorating jazz concerts. The Michigan Theater is at 603 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor. Call 734-668-8480.
