POP/ROCK
The Jayhawks are wasting no time in getting a jump on 2016, which could be something of a transformative year for the Americana twang-rock darlings. Gary Louris has been back at the helm without co-founding singer/guitarist Mark Olson for a couple of years again. Now he and the band are moving on without guitarist Kraig Johnson, who was part of the 1997-2000 post-Olson lineup. They're returning to First Ave to break in new songs they recorded with Peter Buck of R.E.M. serving as co-producer for an album likely due later this year. They could have other exciting recording news to announce soon, too. (Red Daughters open. 8:30 p.m. Sat., First Ave, $30.) Chris Riemenschneider
In a slow music week, fans of electronically enhanced sounds can take in the debut album release by Meinong's Jungle, with a passel of kindred guest artists for openers. The headliner is a trio formed two years ago that found their groove plying three Ableton Live sequencers to loop and crossfade various beats and sounds into new concoctions on every gig. Now that they have an actual album to promote, "Archtype," it will be interesting to see if they attempt to re-create it. Mumukshu, Psydell and EasyJack will each take a turn inventing their own sonic terrain. (8 p.m. Tue., 7th Street Entry, $5-$7.) Britt Robson
Enemy Planes had a big year in 2015, when the moody, atmospheric Minneapolis rockers (echoes of: Muse, Radiohead) got all the way to Barcelona to compete in the international Hard Rock Rising band contest — and won! Looking to add to the momentum in 2016, the sextet will stretch out and fine-tune its live show over the course of a two-month Wednesday night residency at the Cabooze, with different openers each week. The first is another "Crushing for Shon" rally for their cancer-fighting slide guitarist Shon Troth, featuring another of Troth's bands, Dream Crusher. (9 p.m. Wed., Cabooze, $5.) Riemenschneider
R&B
To create an honorable Tribute to James Brown, you need grit, precision, hunger and buckets of sweat equity drenching your funk. The Dakota is housing a lineup that might do justice to JB's inimitable hard, staccato yet still sizzling fatback. Sonny Knight will be the frontman, a soul powerhouse who knows about hard work and delayed gratification. Along with his crispy-tight Lakers, the backup band will include trombonist and former Brown bandleader Fred Wesley, and Brown's timekeeper Jabo Starks on drums. Anticipate "Cold Sweat," "Hot Pants" — and "get on up!" (7 & 9 p.m. Sun.-Mon., Dakota Jazz Club, $20-$35.) Robson
JAZZ
So it is late morning on Sunday and the long holiday hang is over — or about to be. What's the best way to steel yourself for the coming grind while luxuriating in a bit more indolence? What about brunch at the Turf Club with drummer JT Bates, bassist James Buckley and saxophonist Mike Lewis — aka Midwestern Standard Time — steering you through the bleary with a little stiff, intrepid, soulful trio bebop? The grub is good and the musical price is right. (11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sun., Turf Club, no cover.) Robson
CLASSICAL
The Minnesota Orchestra launches a Beethoven marathon this week, with Osmo Vänskä conducting Symphonys No. 1 and 9 in a Friday matinee with the Minnesota Chorale that's likely sold out by now. So, look ahead to next weekend, when Vänskä will conduct Beethoven's Seventh with pianist Yevgeny Sudbin performing Piano Concertos 1 and 2 (Jan. 8), and then the Third and Eighth with Concerto No. 3 (Jan. 9-10). There will be preconcert previews of the work and a special nightcap concert Jan. 9 with Vänskä on clarinet with six musicians in the Target Atrium. By the time the marathon concludes Jan. 16, all nine symphonies and five piano concertos will have been performed. (2 p.m. Fri., 8 p.m. Jan. 8-9, 10:30 p.m. Jan. 9, 2 p.m. Jan. 10. $25-$96. Orchestra Hall, 11th and Nicollet Mall, Mpls. 612-371-5656, mnorch.org) Graydon Royce
The brilliant, gleaming trumpet solo opening the Te Deum of French composer Marc-Antoine Charpentier is one of the most bracing in classical music, and an ideal way to banish post-holiday stodginess and lethargy. The Te Deum features in the New Year concerts of Consortium Carissimi, an ensemble specializing in presenting baroque music in the style of the period. Also included is Vivaldi's popular Gloria, another piece bubbling with energy and effervescent choral writing. Kathy Saltzman Romey leads the performances, with Kris Kwapis prominent on baroque trumpet. (7:30 p.m. Fri., 2 p.m. Sun., St. Mary's Chapel, St. Paul Seminary, 2260 Summit Av., St. Paul; $10-$35, consortiumcarissimi.org) Terry Blain
Members of the Minnesota Orchestra, led by husband/wife cellists Tony Ross and Beth Rapier, are banding together to play a benefit concert to aid relief efforts for the estimated 6 million refugees within Syria who have been displaced by civil war. The program will feature Osmo Vänskä playing the Mozart Clarinet Concerto with a group of 18 musicians. The Minnesota Orchestra brass quintet will perform several selections, and a group of string players that includes Ross, Rapier and concertmaster Erin Keefe will perform the Tchaikovsky String Sextet. Read a story about the event at startribune.com/music. (4 p.m. Sat., Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 5701 Eden Av., Edina. $50. 612-343-3390 or ticketworks.com) Royce
