Top 6 concert picks for Sarasota-Bradenton-Charlotte: Nov. 25-Dec. 1
Johnny Rawls
Soul-blues musician Johnny Rawls continues to play local headlining dates before performing at Bradenton Blues Festival next month, including Venice's Centennial Park for a Friday Night Concert Series. Rawls earned the two most recent of his numerous Blues Music Awards nominations earlier this year, nominated for Soul Blues Male Artist and Soul Blues Album for last year's "Where Have All the Soul Men Gone." Prior to that album and 2019's "I Miss Otis Clay," paying tribute to the late Blues Hall of Famer, Rawls released 2018's "I'm Still Around," which won the Soul Blues Album Blues Music Award. 7 p.m. Friday; Centennial Park, 200 W. Venice Ave., Venice; free; 941-484-6722; visitvenicefl.org
Have Gun, Will Travel
Bradenton Americana band Have Gun, Will Travel, which recently performed a "The Last Waltz" tribute concert/National Independent Venue Association fundraiser at Tampa's Straz Center, will play an area show at Sarasota's The Blue Rooster. The group is one of Sarasota-Manatee's most acclaimed musical acts, earning write-ups from NPR and No Depression, and having their songs appear on the TV shows “The Good Wife” and “The Ranch.” Have Gun, Will Travel's most recent studio album was 2019's "Strange Chemistry," also releasing the demo collection "Raw Materials: Home Demos" last year. 8 p.m. Friday; The Blue Rooster, 1525 Fourth St., Sarasota; $15; 941-388-7539; blueroostersrq.com
Ben Prestage
The Blue Rooster's live music lineup this weekend will also include self-described "Florida swamp blues and Deep South music" one-man band Ben Prestage. Growing up in rural Florida, Prestage later lived in Memphis where he learned how to play drums simultaneously while singing and performing other instruments as a street performer, a setup he’d bring back to the Sunshine State. Though he's a favorite of the Florida blues venue circuit, he’s also developed a national and international following, touring Europe in the past. 8 p.m. Saturday; The Blue Rooster, 1525 Fourth St., Sarasota; $10; 941-388-7539; blueroostersrq.com
Backtrack Blues Band
Bradenton Southern food spot and venue Cottonmouth welcomes back Backtrack Blues Band for a show on its patio. Formed in 1980, the Tampa Bay-based, Chicago-style blues band is still going strong four decades later, with the group playing San Diego Blues Festival earlier this year alongside names such as Larkin Poe and Christone "Kingfish" Ingram. Putting out their first album “Dress It Up” back in 1983, Backtrack Blues Band released their latest "Your Baby Has Left" last year. 7:30 p.m. Saturday; Cottonmouth Southern Soul Kitchen, 1114 12th St. W., Bradenton; $10, $20 day of; 941-243-3735; cottonmouthsoul.com
Gary Drouin
Mattison's Riverwalk Grille continues its Blues Brunch series, offering a brunch menu and live music from artists in the genre, with this month's installment featuring Gary Drouin. (Mattison's will also host a Blues Brunch during Bradenton Blues Festival.) Also known as "Guitar Gary," the Sarasota blues guitarist has played in groups including Memphis Rub Band and was part of the blues jam that started at the former Five O'Clock Club in the '80s. Call the restaurant to make reservations and visit its website to see the full brunch menu. 11:30 a.m. Sunday; Mattison's Riverwalk Grille, 101 Riverfront Blvd. #120, Bradenton; 941-896-9660; mattisons.com
Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour
Winter holiday celebrations have now begun in full force, including smooth jazz saxophonist Dave Koz's annual Christmas tour visiting this week. Koz has released several Christmas albums over his career, including 1997's "December Makes Me Feel This Way" and 2001's "A Smooth Jazz Christmas," the latter of which earned him the first of his nine Grammy nominations. Koz is joined on this tour by guitarist/singer Jonathan Butler, trumpeter Rick Braun, saxophonist Richard Elliot and vocalist Rebecca Jade, performing Christmas classics as well as a Chanukah medley. 8 p.m. Tuesday; Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; $32-$87; 941-263-6799; vanwezel.org
If you are an area musician who’d like to be considered for this list, please email ticket@heraldtribune.com with your event information at least a week in advance. Show schedules are subject to change; check venues/pages in advance to confirm or for questions on COVID-19 protocols.
Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Top 6 Sarasota-Bradenton-Charlotte concert picks, Nov. 25-Dec. 1
