The Spurs’ presence in the Western Conference Finals may keep some San Antonio residents from venturing out for shows this week. Their loss. Some of the best live music is happening between game nights, so don’t miss out.
Thursday, May 21
Jason Grant Quintet
San Antonio native Jason Grant, a veteran of the United States Army Band, is bringing his trumpet, his quintet and soulful jazz sounds to the stage at the Pearl’s basement jazz lounge. Influenced by trumpeters including Miles Davis, Roy Hargrove, and Marquis Hill, Grant — who now resides in Austin and teaches elementary school music —has a rep for blending straight-ahead jazz with more contemporary groove-based sounds. $5-$40, 9:30 p.m., Jazz, TX, 312 Pearl Parkway, Building 6, Suite 6001, (210) 332-9386, jazztx.com. — Sanford Nowlin
Friday, May 22
Ken Vandermark
Chicago-based saxophonist Ken Vandermark, one of the undisputed modern heavyweights of free jazz, will play San Antonio with the help of likeminded Texans. Vandermark’s Chicago/Texas Sound Ensemble consists of drummer Kory Cook (San Antonio), guitarist Jonathan Horne (Austin), vibraphonist Stefan Gonzalez (Dallas) and bassist Matthew Frerck (Denton). Gonzalez is also a drummer in the wild experimental collective Young Mothers. Frerck also works with Gonzalez on a boundary-pushing free jazz trio out of Denton called Trio Glossia. Cook’s other notable local project is a two-piece called The Whale. Hard to turn down a show with high caliber musicians eager to color outside the lines. $10 suggested donation, 8 p.m. Friday, May 22, Slab Cinema Arthouse, 134 Blue Star, (210) 212-9373, slabcinemaarthouse.com. — Stephanie Koithan
Saturday, May 23
Pearl Fest with Los Lonely Boys, Nicky Diamonds, Girl in a Coma, mypilotis, Vanita Leo
Tex-Mex rockers Los Lonely Boys will headline a first-of-its kind music festival at the Historic Pearl this weekend, along with a slew of locals. The lineup will include celebrated bluesman Nicky Diamonds, as well as all-female rock band Girl in a Coma, cumbia queen Vanita Leo, quirky indie project mypilotis and more. Perhaps the most legendary of all, West Side Soul icon Sonny Ozuna, is also set to serenade the masses. Some of the music will be free on the park stage during the weekly farmers market, and other music will be ticketed on a stage under the overpass in the parking lot. $31, 8 p.m., Stable Hall, 307 Pearl Parkway, (210) 427-7464, stablehall.com. — SK
Jason Isbell
Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Jason Isbell released Foxes in the Snow last year, taking a break from his band the 400 Unit. On Foxes, Isbell went all acoustic, accompanied only by his 1940 Martin 0-17 guitar as he sang stories of sobriety and post-divorce hindsight. $60.39-$285.00, 8 p.m., Majestic Theater, 224 E. Houston St., (210) 226-5700, majesticempire.com. — Danny Cervantes
Reverend Horton Heat
A “Psychobilly Freakout” seems to follow Reverend Horton Heat wherever he goes. After 40 years on the road, the ace rockabilly guitarist and his rhythm section still tour hard, spreading a Lone Star State charm, flashy suits and a slapping backbeat to the masses. $12.03-$53.45, 8 p.m., Stable Hall, 307 Pearl Parkway, (210) 427-7464, stablehall.com. — Brianna Espinoza
Possessed By Paul James
If you’re a fan of foot-stomping roots music by a man who’s got the devil in him, you absolutely have to witness the madness and ecstasy of a Possessed by Paul James performance. Joined on the bill by local openers $id $ings $ongs and Brian and the Barflys, this is sure to be a night of honesty and stripped-away pretense. As a one man band, Possessed By Paul James may proffer dressed-down blues on a makeshift stomp box, but the lack of artifice only serves to pull you in more. Before you know it, you’ll have the devil in you too. Free, 8 p.m., Lonesome Rose, 2114 N. St. Mary’s Street, thelonesomerose.com. — SK
Sunday, May 24
Apocalyptica, The Hu, The Rasmus
Apocalyptica is best described as music for those emo “orch dorks” in high school who always keep their nails painted black. The trio of Finnish cellists has created buzzing metal tunes and melodic ballads for more than 20 years — most notably covering Metallica and bringing iconic metal vocalists in as guests on their originals. The tour’s co-headliner, Mongolian folk metal band The Hu, utilizes traditional instruments and throat singing from its culture to create a music that’s both head-banging and trance-inducing. $59-$200.60, 7 p.m., Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 812-4355, theaztectheatre.com. — BE
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