Music Menu

Annie Allman

Talented guitarist, bassist and drummer who honed her skills on the Chicago jazz scene. Sun., 7 pm, Jazz’d Tapas Bar + Tues., 9 pm, Molly MacPherson’s Scottish Pub.

Argyle

Brash and challenging local group mixing reggae, ska, punk and jam influences into an aggressive form of alternative rock. They recently released an impressive debut CD. Tues., 10 pm, Fiddler’s Crab House.

John Banks

Longtime guitarist (and key member of the 13-piece R & B show band The Sapphire Bullets of Pure Love) offering a solo set of electric jazz and blues. Fri., 9 pm, Molly MacPherson’s Scottish Pub.

The Beer Parlor Ramblers

No cover to enjoy the house band at this landmark local eatery. They play hoppin’ Dixieland-style jazz on a small stage in the corner of the dining room. Fri., 7:30 pm, The Crystal Beer Parlor.

Blender

Jam-influenced outfit featuring members of such Athens organic rock groups as Cosmic Charlie (a Grateful Dead tribute) and Stewart & Winfield (an electric Americana act with strong ties to Savannah). Sat., 10 pm, Locos Deli & Pub.

 

Bluesonics

One of the area’s longest-running party bands, they’ve gone through a handful of different lineups over the years, but their commitment to offering unpretentious, straight-up electric shuffles remains. Fri., 9 pm, Jazz’d Tapas Bar.

Mary Davis & Company

Stripped-down acoustic covers combo (classic rock and pop) fronted by Davis, the vocalist from Wilmington Island’s popular Band In The Park. Fri., 10 pm, Fiddler’s Crab House + Sat., 7 pm, Uncle Bubba’s Oyster House.

 

Dueling Pianos

Savannah’s only show of its type, where the audience calls the shots – trying to stump 2 hopped-up singing keyboardists with cocktail napkin requests. Every night’s show is a little different, so you never know quite what’ll happen. Wed. - Sat., 9 pm, Savannah Smiles.

 

Eat Mo' Music

Funky instrumental dance grooves and rocking soul jazz from a local quintet of trumpet, bass, drums, guitar and trombone. Featuring drummer Tony Clarke and trumpeter John Tisbert. Sat., 9:30 pm, Il Pasticcio.

The 8-Tracks

One of the more eclectic cover bands in the area, dusting off album cuts and rarely heard rock, country and soul singles from the ‘50s to the ‘90s. Their lineup features members of such local original bands as GAM, Superhorse and The Judge & The Jury. Sat., 10 pm, Mercury Lounge.

Frank Emerson

Traditional and contemporary Celtic tunes and pop hits, sung and played on acoustic guitar by a longtime local solo act who’s been a familiar face at this legendary Irish pub for longer than most folks can remember. Mon. - Tues., Kevin Barry’s.

First Friday For Folk Music

The 114th installment of this family-oriented (no smoking or alcohol) acoustic music showcase kicks off with the eclectic local quartet FOCOROPO, who blend folk, country, rock and pop (hence the name). They’re followed by 6 and 12-string guitarist Chris Desa, whose traditionals and originals have been featured at these events for over a decade. The headliner will be New Englander Bernice Lewis, a fixture on the coffeehouse and festival circuit. She’s studied vocal iprov with Bobby McFerrin and songwriting with the likes of Roseanne Cash. She’s gigged with everyone from Odetta to The Dixie Chicks. This show is FREE TO ALL AGES, with a suggested donation of $2 to the Savannah Folk Music Society. Fri., 7:30 pm, Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church (429 Abercorn St.).

Georgia Rhythm

Regional cover group playing popular favorites in the country and Southern rock genres. Fri. - Sat., 9:30 pm, Scandals (Tybee).

Trae Gurley's Sinatra Tribute

This local thespian has been performing his heartfelt tribute to the glory days of ‘Ol Blue Eyes’ big band years for some time now, and he considers himself much more than a mimic. While he usually sings to pre-recorded backing tracks, he aims to communicate the vibe and attitude of Sinatra rather than merely parroting his obvious vocal mannerisms. Thurs., 7 pm, Jazz’d Tapas Bar.

Hazel Virtue

This regionally-based alt.rock quartet’s last album was a slick, professional affair that resulted in some commercial radio airplay, as well as kudos in industry trade papers. Now shorn to a trio, they have cut an as-yet-unreleased follow-up in Nashville, and seem to be biding their time with low-key area gigs such as this one. For fans of dense, guitar-o-centric indie rock with just a hint of a Southern twang. Sat., 10 pm, Finnegan’s Wake.

High Velocity

Great regional Southern rock act playing popular hits, deep album cuts and a few of their own tunes in the same vein. Fri. - Sat., 10 pm, Gilley’s (Hinesville).

The Hitmen

Blues-influenced rock (and vice versa) act – led by electric guitarist Brett “Hitman” Bernard – that gigs regularly around town. Tues. (hosts Open Mic), Savannah Blues + Thurs. (hosts Open Mic), Locos Deli & Pub + Fri., 10 pm, Mercury Lounge.

Mama’s Mojo

Formerly known as The Ignitors, this regional blues combo seeks to bridge the gap between the lowdown, gritty Chicago sound and the more polished show bands of the form. Sat., 9 pm, Jazz’d Tapas Bar.

Jude Michaels

Local acoustic guitarist and cellist who peppers his sets of popular covers with his own original soft-rock tunes . Thurs., 10 pm, Molly MacPherson’s Scottish Pub.

The Permanent Tourists

Tight, funky soul and rock party band with a large and varied repertoire of covers (Prince, The Rolling Stones, Kool & The Gang, etc...) and a killer rhythm section. One of the best such groups in the area. Fri., 9:30 pm, Il Pasticcio.

 

"Georgia Kyle" Shiver

Excellent blues and folk-based singer/songwriter who’s released a few albums of accomplished, introspective acoustic tunes. For Saturday night’s gig he’ll be accompanied by Fiddlin’ Scott Holton. Thurs., 7:30 pm, Fannie’s On The Beach (Tybee) + Fri., 7 pm, AJ’s Dockside (Tybee) + Sat., 10 pm, Café Loco (Tybee).

The Lavon Stevens Quartet feat. Louise Spencer

Singing keyboardist Stevens got his start in the church, but was also trained classically. The Hilton Head resident’s current bag is blues and jazz numbers by such folks as Ramsey Lewis, Earth Wind & Fire and Quincy Jones. Thurs., 7:30 pm, The Jazz Corner (Hilton Head).

Suzanne & Jim

This award-winning touring duo is keeping alive the American tradition of travelling minstrelsy. They play festivals, theme parks, clubs, schools, churches, dances, etc... She sings, yodels and plays spoons, bones (!), flute and guitar, as well as clogging on a raised wooden platform. And him? He plays banjo. Sat., 8 pm, The Sentient Bean.

"An Evening With Greg Williams"

With his electric backing band on hiatus, this local songwriter embraces his salad days as a solo artist, and hones his already-impressive one-man show. Expect rootsy, impressionistic folk-rock (think Petty, Hiatt), and unabashedly sweet songs of love and loss. Fri., 10 pm, Jen’s & Friends (Bull & Broughton Sts.) + Mon., 10 pm, JJ Cagney’s.