The Big Gigs: 10 top concerts to see in Twin Cities this week

For decades, this snazzy, jazzy ensemble has been on the stage for countless occasions in the Twin Cities. Now piano maestro Sanford Moore and his four vocalists have their own occasion to celebrate — their 40th anniversary. Connie Evingson, Dennis Spears, Ginger Commodore and newcomer Ashley Commodore all have their own busy careers but they will come together to harmonize on “Duke’s Place” and other jazz chestnuts adventurously arranged by Moore, who spends most of his time as musical director for Penumbra and other local theaters. (7 p.m. Crooners, 6161 Hwy 65, Fridley, $43.47 and up, eventbrite.com)

The New York-reared, Minneapolis-based experimental bassist has a diverse résumé that includes leading groups with Vernon Reid and Bill Frisell, playing in Defunkt and the Rollins Band, and recording with Eddie Palmieri and David Byrne. Gibbs is also an author, whose “How Black Music Took Over the World” will be published in April by Basic Books. For this gig, Gibbs promises a live remix of his 2025 album, “Amasia: Anamibia Sessions 2,” which ranges from noisy to meditative. Yonci, Jazz88’s music director, will offer a DJ set. (7:30 p.m. Berlin, 204 N. 1st St., Mpls., $20-$25, berlinmpls.com)

Also on Thursday:

*Tres, the Twin Cities piano-saxophone chamber trio, teams with Grammy-winning Puerto Rican sax man Miguel Zenon (6:30 p.m. Jan. 15 Minnesota History Center; 8 p.m. Jan. 16 Cedar Cultural Center; 2 p.m. Jan. 18 House of Hope Presbyterian Church, St. Paul).

*Ukraine’s veteran rock band Vopli Vidopliassova packed the Cedar last time in town and is back with local ambassadors Ukrainian Village Band (7:30 p.m. Cedar Cultural Center, $50-$60).

*The Palmer’s Bar spirit is living on via the Thirsty Third Thursday happy-hour series at the Hook & Ladder’s Zen Arcade room with Cornbread Harris and the Front Porch Swingin’ Liquor Pigs (5 p.m., free).

*Molly Dean’s January residency in Icehouse’s Starlight Room continues with Hemma (7 p.m., $15).

English composer John Rutter has been called “Mr. Christmas” for how ubiquitous his holiday-themed works are at choral concerts and services each December. Recently knighted and freshly 80, Rutter will be at the center of two Twin Cities events. First, you’re invited to be among the 500 amateur singers he’ll conduct in a collection of his works. Then he’ll lead the VocalEssence Chorus and Ensemble Singers in his music, including a U.S. premiere. (“Sing with John Rutter,” 6:30-9 p.m. Jan. 16, Plymouth Congregational Church, 1919 LaSalle Av. S., Mpls., $25; VocalEssence with John Rutter, 1 p.m. Jan. 17, Cathedral of St. Paul, 239 Selby Av., St. Paul, $30-$45; vocalessence.org)

Also on Friday:

*A popular annual celebration that doubles as a showcase for some of the Twin Cities’ best young women singers, A Tribute to Dolly Parton will feature Faith Boblett, Jaedyn James, Turn Turn Turn’s Savannah Smith, Molly Brandt and lots more (8 p.m. Fine Line).

*Also a big hit every year, “A Holy Place to Be: Acoustic Bowie” will once again be led by locals John Eller and Chris Perricelli with lots of their friends (8 p.m. Hook & Ladder, $27-$40).

*Local tribute band ABBAsolutely Fab! might be a welcome S.O.S. this week (7:30 p.m. Parkway Theater, $40-$55).

*Bluegrassy Wisconsin pickers Horseshoes & Hand Grenades celebrate their new album, “Living Room” (8 p.m. Turf Club).

Haven’t heard of the acts on the lineup for First Ave’s annual showcase of up-and-coming talent? Perfect. That’s the point. The seven-act roster features bluegrassy Americana rockers Maygen & the Birdwatcher, rapper Gr3g and his funky band, R&B-tinged synth-pop groover LaSalle, emo-y fuzz-rock unit Chutes, violin-laced indie-rock group Sallyforth, grungy bedroom rocker Sophie Hiroko and dark, electro-pop, viral hitmaker Mother Soki. Each act gets about 30 minutes with a quick changeover, so if you don’t like one you don’t have long to wait for the next. But we promise you’ll like a lot of them. (7 p.m. First Avenue, 701 1st Av. N., Mpls., $15, axs.com)

A good coincidence following the sad news that rocked Deadheads worldwide, this Chicago-based Grateful Dead tribute band was already booked to play here this week just days after the death of the group’s singer/guitarist Bob Weir. The veteran unit has been at it a quarter-century and served as backers to some Dead-affiliated players such as Melvin Seals and Vince Welnick. They already hosted a two-night tribute to Weir earlier this week back home and will have one more Saturday night celebrating the man with Twin Cities fans. (8 p.m. Turf Club, 1601 University Av. W., St. Paul, $27, axs.com)

Also on Saturday:

*The third week of soulful Iowa rocker Lissie’s January residency will feature her in a stripped-down duo set with pal Chris Koza opening (7:30 p.m. Parkway Theater, $39-$59).

*Soft-voiced, Iron Range-reared pop/rock song strummer Preston Gunderson is back at Animales BBQ (7 p.m., free).

After decades in ensembles including Nickel Creek, Punch Brothers and the supergroup Goat Rodeo, the master mandolinist released his first solo album featuring his voice, “Laysongs,” in 2021. The spirituality-oriented project features six originals by the four-time Grammy winner and MacArthur “genius” grant recipient as well as interpretations of material by Hazel Dickens, Leonard Cohen and Béla Bartók. Last fall, the former radio host of the post-Garrison Keillor vehicle “Live from Here” embarked on his first solo tour. Always a treat in concert, Thile resumes his tour this month in his old “A Prairie Home Companion” stomping grounds. (7 p.m. Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., $59 and up, ticketmaster.com)

Back in the United States for a performance last weekend at the Lincoln Center’s globalFEST in New York, this acclaimed Italian singer/songwriter is making her way to Middle America for a rare Minneapolis appearance. Her music is steeped in southern Italian folk traditions, particularly pizzica, offering hints of flamenco music’s rhythmic flourishes and opera’s high drama. And her songs are tinged with political and anti-fascist, patriarchy-toppling messaging. Good timing, in other words. Experimental string maestro Paul Metzger opens. (7:30 p.m., Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Av. S., Mpls., $25-$30, thecedar.org)

A proud Twin Cities transplant originally from Nigeria, Obi is promising “healing music” over the next several Sunday nights at Icehouse for a residency that will require removing some dinner tables to make room for a smorgasbord of grooves. He and his sprawling band, the Black Atlantics, channel the classic Afrobeat music made famous by his fellow Nigerian Fela Kuti with dashes of modern rock and hip-hop. They’re billing this residency Afrodisia and will have Afrocentric DJs, artists, food and opening acts in tow, starting with rapper Fanaka Nation on Week 1. (9 p.m. Icehouse, 2528 Nicollet Av., Mpls., $10, icehousempls.com)

Also on Sunday:

*Bluegrass/folk star Becky Schlegel and some other local veteran pickers perform an afternoon set as Clover & the Bee (3 p.m. Animales BBQ, free).

It’s become an annual tradition for one of New Orleans’ most storied second-line units to trek its way up the Mississippi to warm up Minnesotans in January ahead of Mardi Gras. They still always make it back home in town for their legendary Tuesday night blowouts, too, which are now held at the Rabbit Hole after a quarter-century at the Maple Leaf Bar. The NOLA troupe has been funking up Crescent City joints and international festivals for four decades now and picked up a couple Grammys and two or three generations of fans along the way. They’ve played the Dakota enough to really know how to work the room. (7 & 9 p.m., the Dakota, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., $42 & up, dakotcooks.com)

Recreating Stevie Wonder’s aptly titled 1980 album is apt for Martin Luther King Day. Why? Because Wonder wrote and recorded “Happy Birthday” on this album to not only honor the late Civil Rights leader but also in hopes of establishing MLK’s birthday as a national holiday. The song helped the cause and became a soulful alternative to “Happy Birthday to You.” Plus the album features such other gems as “Lately” and “Master Blaster (Jammin’).” An all-star cast led by Kathleen Johnson will salute these two icons on the holiday. (6:30 p.m. Crooners, 6161 Hwy 65, Fridley, $35 and up, eventbrite)

Also on Monday:

*Beloved country rockers the Cactus Blossoms are bringing their pal Jack Klatt for the third week of their residency (7:30 p.m. Turf Club).

*It’ll be a hot “Paris Night” as Red Hot Django Peppers and Hot Club Mania get their Django on (7 p.m. the Dakota, $20 and up).

*Jazz fusion veterans the Yellowjackets, led by founding keyboardist Russell Ferrante, are supporting their 2025 release “Fasten Up” (7 p.m. the Dakota $40 and up)

*British dance-pop DJ and singer Fox Stevenson is touring stateside with his new album, “Sunk Cost Fallacy” (8 p.m. Fine Line).

*Jazz guitarist Cody Steinmann kicks off a tour with his quartet in his hometown (7 p.m. Berlin, $15).