Tim Berne returns
Not sure whether the three members of NOH Band have ever played together, but each one is such a renegade stylist that the prospects are delicious. Saxophonist Tim Berne is the iconoclast-in-chief who packed Icehouse with his band Snakeoil in May 2015. Guitarist and effects wizard David Torn has played on and produced Berne's records and did a memorable solo show at the Cedar two weeks later. And drummer David King has become a locus point of cool gigs when he isn't playing with the Bad Plus. (9:30 Mon., Icehouse, Mpls.; $18-$20, icehousempls.com)
Singer got talent
It's been five years since Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. wowed listeners and viewers and captured the million-dollar grand prize on "America's Got Talent." Sure, part of the appeal was Murphy's rags-to-riches tale washing cars in West Virginia, and part of it was Murphy being a young black man who sings classic supper-club standards from the likes of Frank Sinatra. Even so, a credible Sinatra imitation is no mean feat. (7 p.m. Fri., Dakota, Mpls.; $35-$42, dakotacooks.com)
Northern exposure
Violinist and educator Christian Howes has an ongoing relationship with the Twin Cities. He was appearing for late-night gigs at the Dakota a few years back. He just issued a stirring Prince tribute, "Sometimes It Snows in April." And he's the most recent honcho/mentor for the U of M Combo. His own discs, including his latest, "Southern Exposure," are passionate, assured and enticing. Catch him playing with U students at Jazz Central, or wait for the follow-up concert Nov. 2 at Ted Mann Concert Hall. (8:30 p.m. Mon., Jazz Central, Mpls.; $10 ($5 for students), jazzcentral studios.org)
Innovative locals
What has composer/keyboardist Wayne Horvitz been up to? He just finished hauling an out-of-tune piano to 21 Minnesota sites and watching locals play, a project made possible by the Doris Duke Performing Artist Award. Farther back, Horvitz was right there with John Zorn and crew when the downtown New York City experimental music scene was rustling in the '80s. He'll perform with four kindred local musicians. (9:30 p.m. Tue., Icehouse, Mpls.; $10, icehousempls.com)
BRITT ROBSON
