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Roger Moss

Award-winning singer Roger Moss is increasingly well-known throughout this area for his soaring vocals, and captivating stage presence. While many may simply recognize him as “that guy who sang the patriotic song at Picnic In The Park,” he has – of late – been developing a cabaret-style club act.

Dubbed “Straight Up With A Twist,” it finds him backed by a rotating cast of fine musicians. His repertoire changes frequently, but is based around the Great American Songbook, and the back catalogs of the legendary sultry jazz singers.

The chic digs of this resort hotel’s Casimir Lounge have become his venue of choice, and anyone looking to catch a unique and reverent take on what many may perceive to be a lost art form would do well to make the scene. Fri., 9 pm, The Mansion on Forsyth Park.

High Velocity

Most of the cats in this hard-hitting classic and Southern rock cover band have been playing professionally around these parts for more than two decades. It shows in their ability to shift gears easily between the blues and jazz-influenced jams of vintage Allman Brothers material and the more dark and moody pathos of stuff by The Doors – not to mention the more slick po-country hits of groups like Big & Rich and Montgomery Gentry.

They’ve also been known to dust off some old warhorses like “Stairway To Heaven” if pestered hard enough. That’s a luxury that only a working setlist of close to 150 songs and a whole lot of faith in your abilities can afford you. Some folks will know guitarist and vocalist Ray Thomasino from his days in the legendary area hellraisers Bounty Hunter, but the rest of the group (including keyboardist Steve Klahr, bassist Reese Williams, slide guitarist Dennis Ward and drummer Glen Smith) – most of whom sing as well – have done time in such well-liked regional bar bands as Ajna and The Home Wreckers. Dig it. Fri. - Sat., 9 pm, The Silver Dollar Café (Highway 204).

Tony Williamson & Jeff Autry

Once again, noted luthier Randy Wood has booked another stellar evening of traditional American music into the small, 100-seat concert hall adjacent to his instrument shop in Bloomingdale.

Mandolinist Williamson is best known as one half of The Williamson Brothers, a rural North Carolina duo that came to prominence in the late 1960s. A regular performer at Doc Watson’s annual Merlefest, he appears in concert often with a number of Symphonic Orchestras and well as with such bluegrass and country stars as David Grisman, Tim O’Brien, Tut Taylor, and others.

Guitarist Autry, on the other hand, graduated from the ranks of traditional bluegrass session stardom to the forefront of the New Grass movement a few years back. He’s mixes his picking with a little swing, some country, and even a touch of funk. Here’s a chance to see two of the best in the business up close and personal for only $25. For advance ticket info, call (912)748-1930, or go online at www.randywoodguitars.com. Sat., 7:30 pm, Randy Wood’s Pickin’ Parlor (1304 East Hwy 80, Bloomingdale).

Chroma

To say there’s a plethora of organic, vaguely jazzy, funk-oriented jam bands in the Southeast would be an understatement. With so many groups plodding through the same muddy field, you’ll forgive me if everything in that general direction starts to look moist and brown.

Every once in a while, though, an act comes along that seems to have not only the chops to truly pull off this incredibly complex and syncopated style of soul music – but the good taste to know when to lay back and ride the wave. This Jacksonville, Fl. quartet understands this ethos, and as a result, while their extended explorations on a groove can at times resemble the more cliché examples of Phish and New Potato Caboose (remember them?), they’re also apt to drift into the sort of unpredictable, hypnotic counterpoint melodies typified by post-modern cut-and-paste bands like Stereolab. Burned out on soundalike noodling without a hook? Get a load of these guys. Sat., 10 pm, JJ Cagney’s.

 

First Friday For Folk Music

The 115th edition of this family-oriented (no smoking or alcohol) acoustic concert series features the debut of Decatur duo Arlington Priest, as well as return engagements from theeverybodyfields and Bruce Piephoff.

Arlington Priest’s Rhett and Jill McAllister are known for their onstage chemistry and an abiding affection that shines through in their performances.

Piephoff is a singing poet from Greensboro, N.C. with eleven albums to his name who was once a finalist at the famed Kerrville Folk Festival. he plays harmonica and finger-style guitar.

Hailing from the music mecca of Johnson City, Tn., theeverybodyfields is a quirky trio playing traditional mountain music with prominent dobro and a contemporary edge. they’ve been featured on NPR’s Mountain Stage, and numerous festivals nationwide.

This ALL-AGES show is free with a suggested donation of $2 (to the Savannah Folk Music Society). Fri., 7:30 pm, Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church (429 Abercorn St.).