LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO
Most remember this South African a cappella group for their mellifluous backing vocals on Paul Simon's Graceland, but I also adore the marvelous yet discreet clucks, clicks, and pops these singers make and which any aspiring avant vocalist would do well to study. Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave, (425) 893-9900, 7:30 pm, $29-$44.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 15
SEATTLE SYMPHONY
I usually loathe "Light Classics," however this concert has too many goodies to ignore: Rimsky-Korsakov's flamboyant Capriccio Espagnol and two gems by Ravel, the Piano Concerto in G minor with soloist Yael Weiss and Le Tombeau de Couperin. Benaroya Hall, Third Ave and Union St, 215-4747, 7 pm, $16-$61.
JACK GOLD QUARTET
Celebrating the release of their latest CD, Daylight (Sol Disk), this burning drummer-led quartet keeps the flame of jazz-inflected free improvisation alive. With bassist Michael Bisio, trumpeter Jim Knodle, and Michael Monhart. Blue Moon Tavern, 712 NE 45th St, 545-8190, 7 pm, free.
NEW MUSIC FOR VIOLIN AND PIANO
Violinist Eric Rynes and pianist Ann Cummings team up to tackle works by Seattle composers including Sarah Bassingthwaighte, Bret Battery (who recently relocated to the UK), John Cage (who lived here briefly in the late 1930s), Stuart Dempster, Joël-Franÿois Durand, and Eric Flesher (who currently teaches at CWU in Ellensburg). Also Sat Oct 16 at 8 pm. Frye Art Museum, corner of Cherry St and Terry Ave, 622-6882, 8 pm, $10-$15. SATURDAY OCTOBER 16
RIGOLETTO
Heeding the Third Law of Opera, Thou shalt transpose the setting to another time period, the Seattle Opera places Verdi's tale of a jester's revenge in 1930s Fascist Italy. Also Wed Oct 20, Fri Oct 22, Sat Oct 23, Tues Oct 26, Wed Oct 27, Fri Oct 29, and Sat Oct 30. The matinees are Sun Oct 17 and Sun Oct 31 at 2 pm. McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St, 389-7676, 7:30 pm, $49-$129.
BAROQUE NORTHWEST
Quartet music by Handel, Vivaldi, Johann-Joachim Quantz, Antoine Forqueray, "the ubiquitous" (really?) James Paisible, and the sole living composer of the bunch, Matthias Maute. Bethany Lutheran Church, 7400 Woodlawn Ave NE, 368-0735, 8 pm, $10-$22.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 17
FRANÇOIS HOULE
Houle, an outstanding clarinetist based in Vancouver, BC, treks south to play Joël-Franÿois Durand's Thiodlac and his own Aerials for clarinet and live electronics. Another outstanding clarinetist, Jesse Canterbury, opens the show with a set of solo improvisations and compositions. Polestar Music Gallery, 1412 18th Ave at E Union St, 329-4224, 7 pm, $8.
MONDAY OCTOBER 18
RANDY HALBERSTADT TRIO
'Tis the season for CD release parties and the Earshot Jazz Festival. An eminently tasteful pianist, Halberstadt commemorates the release of his CD, Parallel Tracks (Origin Records) with Gary Hobbs on drums and Jeff Johnson on bass. The Triple Door, 216 Union St, 838-4333, 8 pm, $15.
TUESDAY OCTOBER 19
PETER BRÖTZMANN TRIO
This paint-peeling saxophonist helped pioneer freely improvised music in the late 1960s. With drummer Michael Werthmüller and bassist Marino Pliakas. Not to be missed. Consolidated Works, 500 Boren Ave N, 547-9787, 8 pm, $14/$16.
