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It’s been another hard week for the local music community. Three good, caring, talented and much-loved people left us.
Mike Snelling, bass player, sweet-natured, kind-hearted, sunny, unfailing keeper of the beat.
Floyd Matthews, guitar player, fleet-fingered, hard-charging, generous, supportive.
Jim McKenzie, singer-songwriter, sensitive, thoughtful, soulful.
Those words can’t begin to pay tribute to these three. You’ll find more eloquent and heartfelt recollections on social media – I urge you to seek them out.
Each left a void, into which those who loved them will pour their grief. And even those who didn’t know them well will grieve, for that is the nature of music — you don’t have to have personal knowledge of the player for the music they make to resonate in your heart.
It’s why we mourn the passing of celebrities we have never met but who we love nevertheless — David Bowie, Prince, John Lennon and others whose deaths struck a knell in our souls. We are bound to them by the gossamer threads of their art. Maybe it’s just one song or maybe it’s an entire life’s work that has illuminated something in our own lives, clicked a switch in our psyches, established that numinous connection.
So. Yes. Feel the feels. Remember these cherished ones who’ve left us, and honor them with love. Tell their stories.
But first, a moment of silence. For Mike. For Floyd. For Jimi. For all of our loves who’ve moved beyond.
And then let the music play. Because that’s what they would have wanted.
Breathe in
A new concept called Fresh AIR (Artist-in-Residence) kicks off with a performance by Dayton, Ohio, native frxxmxn, with local opener Elijah Kenny, at 8 p.m. Friday at Indianhead Factory, 1020 E. Indianhead Drive. According to organizer Matthew St. Fleur, Fresh AIR will bring artists from around the country to town to interact with Tallahassee’s creative community, sharing their musical experience and becoming a Tallahassee resident for a weekend of brainstorming, exploring and performing. frxxmxn is a self-taught mixmaster who’s lived all over the world, including Florida. St. Fleur says frxxmxn’s goal is “creating the soundtrack for those chasing freedom and spreading love,” and who doesn’t want to get on board with that. Admission to the show is $7.
Hang with Moss
You get double the blues pleasure and double the fun when guitarist and singer Nick Moss and harmonica ace Dennis Gruenling bring the big Chicago blues sound showcased on their latest Alligator Records release “Lucky Guy!” to town for a throwdown at 9 p.m. Friday at Bradfordville Blues Club, 7152 Moses Lane. Moss, Gruenling and crew racked up four 2020 Blues Music Awards for the new album, coming hard on the heels of the award-winning 2018 release “The High Cost of Low Living.” Put your party shoes on and prepare to hit the dance floor. Tickets are $25 advance, $30 at the door. Visit bradfordvilleblues.com.
Country comes to town
Take a tour through country music history with the Kenny Hill Band at 8 p.m. Friday at Blue Tavern, 1206 N. Monroe St. The trio will romp through hits by such legends as Earnest Tubb, Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, Bob Wills, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Jimmy Martin, Bill Monroe, Doc Watson and many more. Cover is $5. Call 850-212-5204.
Oh la la!
Alliance Francaise de Tallahassee presents an evening of French chamber music performed by cellist Boyan Bonev, violinists Corinne Stillwell and Lee Taylor, and violist Pamela Ryan at 7 p.m. Friday at St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral, 4784 Thomasville Road. The program features works by Ravel and Debussy. Tickets are $20 general admission, $10 students, free for those younger than 18; proceeds benefit AFTallahassee.
Songwriters singing
The Rhythm & Roots series presents singer-songwriters Wyatt Durette and Jim McBride at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Thomasville Center for the Arts, 600 E. Washington St. Durette has penned hits for the Zac Brown Band, Luke Combs and others, and McBride is a bona fide Nashville songwriting legend whose songs have been recorded by Alan Jackson, Conway Twitty, Johnny Cash, George Jones, Waylon Jennings, Travis Tritt, Reba McEntire, Johnny Paycheck, Randy Travis, Alabama and many others. Tickets range from $30 to $55. Visit thomasvillearts.org.
Free jazz (and blues)
The Bainbridge Jazz & Blues Festival serves up a smorgasbord of sound from noon to midnight Saturday at Southern Philosphy Brewing Company, The American Restaurant and Willis Park in Bainbridge, Ga. The lineup includes the Scotty Barnhart Quintet, the Johnnie Marshall Band, the Carlos Vega Trio, BAM! featuring Avis Berry, Mason Margut and Brian Hall, the Johnson-Hall-Bakan Trio, J.B. Babich, and Rachel Hillman. It’s all as free as can be. Call Gallagher Dempsey at 229-726-6464 to find out more.
Sparkling Jewel Tones
Bradenton bluesman Doug Deming shines with the Jewel Tones at 9 p.m. Saturday at Bradfordville Blues Club, 7152 Moses Lane. Deming’s swinging blues sound is tailor-made for dancing the night away in Tallahassee’s historic juke joint. Tickets are $20 advance, $25 at the door. Visit bradfordvilleblues.com.
Dream team reunited
It’s always a pleasure to hear local vocalist Avis Berry sing, and she’ll be in fine company with pianist Mason Margut at 8 p.m. Saturday at Blue Tavern, 1206 N. Monroe St. The musical mind-meld between the two was honed when Margut was in the lineup of Revival, before heading up to Atlanta to make his mark there. Cover is $10. Call 850-212-5204.
Through the PRISM, brightly
Opening Nights presents the always-popular PRISM concert at 2 p.m. Sunday in Ruby Diamond Concert Hall. The concert features students in FSU’s College of Music ensembles — ranging from the Chamber Winds to jazz ensembles to percussion ensembles and the Screech Squad — performing in every nook and cranny of Ruby Diamond. The rousing finale features the Marching Chiefs. Tickets are $35 general public, $10 students. Visit openingnights.fsu.edu.
Go Big
Festival fave Big Something brings its high-energy show and a heap of funkitude to a show at 8 p.m. Monday at The Moon, 1105 E. Lafayette St. The six-piece band formed in 2009 in Maryland and is now based in North Carolina. It earned its bona fides touring with the likes of The B52s, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Galactic and Umphreys McGee and has performed at the Telluride Festival, among other musical gatherings. It even hosts its own fest — The Big What. Also on the bill are Andy Frasco & The U.N. and special guest announcer Kyle Ayers. Tickets are $12 general admission, $20 reserved seating. Visit moonevents.com.
Whence Whitney?
Chicago duo Whitney — Julien Ehrlich and Max Kakacek, formerly of Smith Westerns — released its sophomore album “Forever Turned Around” in 2019, three years after its debut “Light Upon the Lake.” The duo cites Levon Helm and Allen Toussaint as influences, and its sound was described in The Guardian as “think Bon Iver, with elements of folk and country, only given a Chicago soul makeover.” Hear for yourself when Club Downunder presents Whitney at 8 p.m. Tuesday at The Moon, 1105 E. Lafayette St. Tickets are $20 general admission, free for FSU students with valid IDs. Visit moonevents.com.
Saints march in
Austin band Shane Smith & The Saints honor the band’s road warrior life – which has seen it criss-crossing the country and beyond for the past four years — as well as the family ties that bind on its latest album “Hail Mary.” With chops honed by constant touring and keen songwriting skills, bandleader Shane Smith and his crew have produced something gritty and real, music that bristles with hooks and honest heart. Hop on the bandwagon when Smith and The Saints join local band Once Great Estate for a show at 8 p.m. Thursday at Fifth & Thomas, 1122 Thomasville Road. Tickets are $15 advance, $18 day of show. Visit fifthandthomas.com.
Give Shivas a shake
What is it about the Pacific Northwest that conjures the eccentric and phantasmagoric (think “Twin Peaks”)? Portland, Oregon, band The Shivas has spent more than a decade channeling that eerie vibe and framing in garage-rock anthems that have made band’s shows legendary. The Shivas’ latest album “Dark Thoughts” dials up the atmosphere and cranks up the amps in the band’s most cohesive and cathartic offering yet. Club Downunder presents The Shivas with Winded at 9:30 p.m. Thursday at The Wilbury, 513 W. Gaines St. Admission is $10 general public, free for FSU students with valid IDs.
A singing smarty-pants
Singer-songwriter Carla Ulbrich claims such influences as Sesame Street, camp songs, and cat food commercials, so you won’t be surprised to find out she proudly calls herself “a professional smart-aleck.” She’s best known for writing songs about wedgies, Waffle House, Klingons, and how rich she would be if she had a copyright on the F Word, and her fans include such peers as Christine Lavin. Ulbrich will be toting pre-release copies of her newest release “The LOUD Album” when she revisits Tallahassee for a show at 8 p.m. Thursday at Blue Tavern, 1206 N. Monroe St. Cover is $5. Call 850-212-5204.
And the beat goes on . . .
ACME Rhythm & Blues brings the horn section and the boogie to get the joint jumpin’ at 9 p.m. Friday at Fire Betty’s Arcade Bar, 1122 Thomasville Road. No cover. Call 850-727-8224. . . . SonicBoom blasts off from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday at Pockets Pool & Pub, 2810 Sharer Road. No cover. Call 850-385-7665. . . . Three Billy Goats Gruff is ready to rumble at 8 p.m. Friday at Harry A’s on St. George Island. No cover. Call 850-927-2117. . . . Singer-songwriter Madison Avery enchants the crowd from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday at Railroad Square Craft House in Railroad Square Art Park. Cover is $5. Visit www.railroadcrafthouse.com. . . . The Retrograde rocks at 8 p.m. Friday at The Junction at Monroe, 2011 S. Monroe St. Cover is $10 general admission, $15 advanced reserved seating. Visit www.junctionatmonroe.com. . . . Papa’s got a squeezebox when JB’s ZydecoZoo plays from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday at SouthWood Golf Club, 3750 Grove Park Drive. No cover. Call 850-942-4653. . . . FSU College of Music presents a guest artist recital featuring the Newman & Oltman Guitar Duo at 7:30 p.m. in Dohnanyi Recital Hall. It’s free. . . . Pat Puckett digs into his extensive and rich songbook at 7 p.m. Saturday at The Wine House, 1355 Market St. Cover is $5. Call 850-893-2254. . . . Belle & the Band joins Thousand Dollar Hen to conjure musical magic at 8 p.m. Saturday at The Junction at Monroe, 2011 S. Monroe St. Tickets are $10 advance general admission, $13 day of show, $17 advance reserved seating. Visit www.junctionatmonroe.com. . . . Lick My Frog hosts an all-star jam dedicated to the memory of late guitarist Floyd Matthews at 2 p.m. Sunday at Ouzts’ Too Oyster Bar & Grill in Newport. No cover. Call 850-925-6448. . . . Douce Ambiance plays jazz with a gypsy flavor at 3 p.m. Sunday at Cat Pointe Music in Eastpoint. Tickets are $15. Call 850-688-0952. . . . The Bob Dogan Trio leads the First Tuesday Jazz Session at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Blue Tavern, 1206 N. Monroe S. Cover is $3. Call 850-212-5204.
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