John McLaughlin
Sept. 25. The guitar genius who flew high with Miles Davis, the Mahavishnu
Orchestra, and Shakti teams up with the 4th Dimension this time around. Let’s see if
keyboardist Gary Husband, drummer Mark Mondesir, and bassist Hadrien Feraud can keep up with the pace. 7:30pm. The Egg at the Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York. $34.50. (518) 473-1845. www.theegg.org.
Hank Jones and Roberta Gambarini
September 2. The last of the remarkable Jones Brothers of Jazz (trumpeter Thad died in 1986; drummer Elvin in 2004), pianist Hank Jones is still going strong at the age of 89. As part of the Tanglewood Jazz Festival weekend, his elegant and eloquent playing
should dazzle in the intimate duo setting with the sublime Italian-born vocalist Roberta
Gambarini. With Ahmad Jamal and Jimmy Heath. 8pm. Seiji Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood, Lenox, Massachusetts. $17-57. (888) 266-1200. www.bso.org.
Fritz's Polka Band
September 9. The Capital Region’s hottest new nightspot has featured such acts as Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and KC & the Sunshine Band since opening this summer. Now it’s time to put away your boogie shoes and polka the day away with Fritz’s Polka Band, the only polka combo to play at a Woodstock Festival. 3pm. Vapor at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway, Saratoga Springs, New York. (518) 584-2110. www.saratogaraceway.com.
Flogging Molly
September 14. The annual Irish 2000 Music and Arts Festival expands to a
two-day lineup for the first time this year, and they’ve sure snagged the right band to headline the Friday night festivities. Led by veteran Dave King (formerly of the headbanging Fastway), Flogging Molly are thoroughly Irish, to be sure, but their high-wattage performances have been equally at home on the Vans Warped Tour. So raise a Guinness or two and get ready to rock. 5pm. Altamont Fairgrounds, Altamont, New York. $15 in advance; $20 at the door. Children under 10 free. (888) 414-3378. www.irish2000fest.com.
Suzanne Vega
September 16. Jumpstarting the singer-songwriter wave of the ’80s, Suzanne
Vega broke into the national spotlight with such songs as “Tom’s Diner,” “Luka,” and
“Marlene on the Wall.” She took a turn toward the experimental with her edgy, clattering 1992 album, 99.9F. Now she’s back with Beauty and Crime, her first CD in six years. 7pm. The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, Great Barrington, Massachusetts. $30-$38. (413) 528-0100. www.mahaiwe.org.
“Hudson River Sampler” Anniversary Concert
September 28. Wanda Fischer has been hosting her radio show, “Hudson River
Sampler,” on WAMC for the past quarter-century. You can check it out at 8pm Saturdays, or better yet, head over to WAMC’s Linda Norris Auditorium in person to celebrate the 25th anniversary with an all-star folk music concert featuring Jonathan Edwards, Debra Cowen, Pat Wictor, Toby Walker, and Bernice Lewis. 8pm. The WAMC Performing Arts Studio/Linda Norris Auditorium, Albany. $25. (518) 465-5233; www.wamcarts.org.
Johnny Irion
Sept. 30. Johnny Irion has been devoting most of his time to the duo that also features his wife and singing partner Sara Lee Guthrie. But the tunesmith hasn’t abandoned
his solo career altogether. Tonight, he celebrates the release of his new solo CD, Ex
Tempore. 8pm. Club Helsinki, Great Barrington, Massachusetts. $12. (413) 528-3394. www.clubhelsinkiweb.com.