Big Gigs for Nov. 28-Dec. 4: Wynton Marsalis, Replacements tribute, Sturgill Simpson, more

Orchestra Hall has a swell jazz doubleheader. Superstar trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and his Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra is the main attraction with "Big Band Holidays" co-starring Cecile McLorin Salvant, the hottest young singer of 2014, capable of casting a spell over small clubs or giant festivals. Afterward, JLCO members Ted Nash (sax), Marcus Printup (trumpet) and Vincent Gardner (trombone) will commune in the cozy new Target Atrium with Twin Cities bassist Anthony Cox and drummer J.T. Bates under the direction of pianist Jeremy Walker. (Main show at 7:30 p.m. Tue., $40-$105; small-group show at 9:30 p.m. Tue., $25-$100; 612-371-5656 or www.mnorch.org) Tom Surowicz

First Ave's seventh annual Tribute to the Replacements must go on, whether or not the 'Mats themselves continue after this momentous year. This year's plan to re-create the 1989 album "Don't Tell a Soul" could make it a more challenging, interesting show. It's the band's most heavily produced and often overlooked record, aside from the hits "I'll Be You" and "Achin' to Be." The Melismatics will lead the charge again with guest vocalists including veteran soul man Maurice Jacox, Curtiss A, Eric "Actual Wolf" Pollard, Maggie Morrison, Claire de Lune and singers from Pink Mink, Night Moves and Hippo Campus. Other mini-sets will be played in two rooms by BNLX, Two Harbors, Fury Things, Black Diet and more, with the Mad Ripple Hoot for Slim honoring the night's beneficiary, Slim Dunlap, and a promised surprise. (8 p.m., First Avenue, $10-$12.) Chris Riemenschneider

It's been a big year for St. Paul native Manic Focus. The future bass producer (a k a John McCarten) just released his "Cerebral Eclipse" LP, which continues his tradition of marrying hip-hop, wobbly bass lines and soul samples while ratcheting up the electro-soul vibes. After playing his third consecutive Summer Set in Somerset, Wis., Manic Focus returns for his first headlining home-state gig. Filibusta, Artifakts and Fresh Quo open. (10 p.m. Fri., Mill City Nights, 18-plus, $15-$18.) Michael Rietmulder

Five years after she married her Minnesotan hubby on stage at First Avenue — and put on a stellar show, too — Lucinda Williams returns to the scene of the vows for two performances conveniently timed to Thanksgiving with the in-laws. A two-nighter seems appropriate, since her new album is an against-the-times double-LP, "Down Where the Spirit Meets the Bone." The 20 songs range from rambling blues and alt-twang to a little Memphis soul, with Williams broadening her writing themes, too. Look for plenty of oldies amid the new stuff with Wallflowers guitarist Stuart Mathis in the band. Alabama's Kenneth Brian Band opens. (8 p.m. Sat.-Sun., First Avenue, $30.) Riemenschneider

Three years since his split from the BoDeans, singer/guitarist Sam Llanas is now three albums into a solo career. He ventures into blues and soul territory but otherwise sticks to his familiar sound on the new effort, "The Whole Night Thru," which brings him from Wisconsin to promote it to the BoDeans' dedicated Twin Cities fan base. (9 p.m. Sat., Aster Cafe, $20.) Riemenschneider

With Cause nightclub out of commission, BNLX had to reshape its annual namesake festival into more of a one-night release party. Bandleaders Ed and Ashley Ackerson — he of Polara fame and she of the Mood Swings — channel their '80s/'90s alterna-rock influences to great effect on their ninth EP in four years, "Flextime." It features the elegant, Britrocky title track, a snarling cover of PJ Harvey's "This Is Love" and a 21-minute drone excursion that actually makes it more of an LP. The Ocean Blue, Two Harbors, Frankie Teardrop and the Rope open, with DJ Jake Rudh doing his Transmission thing between sets. (7:30 p.m. Sat., Varsity Theater, $8-$10.) Riemenschneider

For what has become an annual Thanksgiving gig for them, ambient Iowasotan folk-rockers the Pines are bringing a special guest who has influenced their landscape-shaped Americana music, John Trudell, who gives a new, truer meaning to "Americana." The activist led the American Indian Movement in the 1970s before he became an acclaimed poet/songwriter and actor. He will perform with the band, which also has new songs to try out. Read an interview with Trudell at startribune.com/music. (8 p.m. Sat., Cedar Cultural Center, all ages, $20-$25.) Riemenschneider

Nick Lowe excels at so many things. Bass playing, songwriting, crooning, record producing, guitar playing, talent scouting — and keeping audiences duly charmed (as he'll prove on Saturday's edition of "A Prairie Home Companion"). The silver-haired daddy from Rockpile released his first-ever holiday CD last year, and now he's launching a "Quality Holiday Revue" tour in Minneapolis, backed by savvy, versatile and amusing guitar heroes Los Straitjackets. The faux Mexican instrumental combo delivers big beat surf, garage, swing and restorative rock 'n' roll every time it steps on a stage. Meanwhile, Lowe's truly special guest is fellow British rock legend Ian McLagan, the wonderful keyboardist, songwriter and singer of the Faces. (7 p.m. Wed., First Avenue, $20.) Surowicz

During a break from his gigs as bassist and bandleader for Dessa and pioneering local hip-hop group Heiruspecs, Sean McPherson put out an impressive and inspired all-star record in February as the Twinkie Jiggles Orchestra, featuring soulful rock ballads and dramatic story songs, all sung by women. He's revisiting the record and throwing in other tunes with Ashley Gold at the mic and hard-grooving rapper Greg Grease for an opener. (9 p.m. Thu., Turf Club, $7.) Riemenschneider

Swedish metal vets Opeth venture into new territory yet again on their new album, "Pale Communion," which finds frontman Mikael Akerfeldt singing more like he's in a poppier rock band instead of a death-metal band. At a recent 25th anniversary concert at the London Palladium, the quintet played 2005's "Ghost Reveries" album in full, so the set list could be an unusual mix. In Flames and Red Fang open. (7 p.m. Thu., Mill City Nights, 15 & older, $29.50-$35.) Riemenschneider

A man with two distinctly popular bands, former Camper Van Beethoven leader and music-biz professor David Lowery steered his '90s alt-rock-era vehicle Cracker through two different recording projects this time around. The "Low" and "Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)" hitmakers' new double album, "Berkeley to Bakersfield," features one all-rock disc and another of more country-flavored tunes. Look for a taste of both sides and plenty of old favorites at the show. Wisconsinites Hugh Bob & the Hustle are a great opening catch. (8 p.m. Thu., Varsity Theater, $22-$35.) Riemenschneider

About time, Sturgill Simpson. The baritone-voiced, Kentucky-bred singer/songwriter canceled a Minnesota State Fair appearance in August to tour with the Zac Brown Band and is thus overdue in the Twin Cities behind his second album, "Metamodern Sounds in Country Music" — hands down the best traditional country album of the year. It's really not all that traditional, though, what with its prominent use of tape-looping and his stunning cover of the 1980s synth-pop classic "The Promise" by When in Rome. Simpson's Waylon-like voice and twang-masterful band have enough classic appeal to fit the bill, though. (8 p.m. Thu., Fine Line, long sold out.) Riemenschneider

After releasing his raw, gospel-infused debut album at age 81, Mississippi bluesman Leo "Bud" Welch braved his first Minnesota winter to play a weeklong residency. He's back for three shows with Minnesota's acoustic-blues hero and engine-block-cooking expert Charlie Parr, who will perform with Welch and on his own. (10 p.m. Fri., Hell's Kitchen, Mpls., $8; 10 p.m. Sat., Red Herring Lounge, Duluth; 8 p.m. Sun., Ed's No-Name Bar, Winona.) Riemenschneider

Singer Lisa Wenger recruited a virtual "Who's Who" of the Twin Cities bar scene for her new album, "Simple As That," including pianists Bruce McCabe and Scottie Miller, guitarist Jeremy Johnson, slide master Paul Mayasich, soul singer Willie Walker, the Hoopsnakes horn section of Larry McCabe and David Eiland, Blind Pig recording artist Sena Erhardt, even former Twin Citian RJ Mischo. Veteran blues dudes Kit Kildahl and Steve Vonderharr open. (9 p.m. Sat., Famous Dave's Uptown, $5.) Surowicz

Roots guitar nirvana may be achieved when Louisiana blues slide master Sonny Landreth shares a show with Texas-based dobro and steel queen Cindy Cashdollar. It'll be great to hear innovative wizard Landreth — who's a fine singer and songwriter as well — in the intimate duet format, since his shows tend to be loud power trio affairs. Cashdollar is heard more often in sideman roles, with the likes of Asleep at the Wheel, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison and Dave Alvin. (7:30 p.m. Thu., Cedar Cultural Center, $30.) Surowicz

Retro jazz, blues and dance band Patty & the Buttons are staging a "Vaudeville Spectacular" at the Heights Theater to celebrate their new album, "The Mercury Blues." It will include silent film shorts, Harvey Gustafson on the mighty Wurlitzer organ, a solo appearance by Davina Sowers minus her Vagabonds and a complimentary copy of the album. This is a family-friendly matinee, where the audience is encouraged to wear 1920s garb — and leave their cellphones at home. (1 p.m. Sat., Heights Theater, 3951 Central Av. NE., $20.) Surowicz

Reigning jazz organ king Joey DeFrancesco is back with a show he's calling "Home for the Holidays." Joey is from Philly, where Eagles fans have been known to pelt Santa with snowballs, but who's quibbling? That's also the title of DeFrancesco's new album, which includes groovy versions of such seasonal favorites as "Mistletoe and Holly" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." Soul jazz is snow jazz now. (7 & 9 p.m. Mon., Dakota Jazz Club, $20-$30.) Surowicz