EARTHA KITT
You remember her as Catwoman from the original Batman TV series, but Kitt has been purring cabaret and show tunes for decades. Kitt's sharp, sometimes snarling, always sassy enunciation marks her as a breed unto herself. Meow! Also Fri-Sat May 21-22 with sets at 8 and 10:15 pm, and Sun May 23 with early sets at 6:30 and 8:45 pm. Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave, 441-9729, 8 pm, $29.50-$33.50.
FRIDAY MAY 21
MARK SALMAN
Few composers were as productive as pianist Franz Liszt (1811-1886), who, apart from composing reams of virtuosic piano music and acres of symphonic tone poems, also transcribed other composers' orchestral works for the piano. Enterprising pianist Mark Salman serves up a sheaf of Liszt's solo piano music including Valse Oubliée No. 1, Reminiscences of "Norma", Toccata, and Liszt's transcription of Wagner's Overture to Tannh...user. University Christian Church, 4731 15th Ave NE, 522-0169, 7:30 pm, $10/$20.
DANILO PEREZ
My pop keeps an eye out for hotshot piano players and reminded me about this Panamanian jazz pianist. Perez, a veteran of Wayne Shorter's band, burns up the keyboard like Gonzalo Rubalcaba. Also Sat May 22. The Triple Door, 216 Union St, 838-4333, sets at 7:30 and 10 pm, $25.
KUMBHA MELA SONIC TRAVELOGUE
Here's my pick for sleeper gig of the week. Doug Haire, James R. Cobb III, and David Brunn present vivid field recordings of Maha Kumbha Mela, a huge religious festival in India and perhaps the largest gathering of humanity on this planet. Travelers, 501 E Pine St, 329-6260, 8 pm, $5/$7. SATURDAY MAY 22
PUGET SOUND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
This community orchestra concludes its season with Wagner's Overture to Tannh...user, Hindemith's seldom-heard Nobilissima Visione, and the pulse-pounding aggro of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5. Town Hall, Eighth Ave and Seneca St, 353-5128, 7:30 pm, $5/$7.50.
SUNDAY MAY 23
SPOKANE STRING QUARTET
Don't be deterred by the rustic moniker; this quartet presents obscure, early works by Anton Webern (1881-1945) you won't hear anywhere else: the 1905 Quartet and a "Violin-Piano movement" from circa 1908. Brechemin Auditorium, UW campus, 685-8384, 2 pm, $8/$10.
JIM CUTLER JAZZ ORCHESTRA
For big-band jazz up close, go hear this group. Led by saxophonist Jim Cutler, this full-on band plays old chestnuts, new charts, and an experimental number or two. Greta Matassa joins the group for this benefit for the Seattle chapter of Gilda's Club, a support group for people with cancer, cancer survivors, and their families. Reservations recommended. Tula's, 2214 Second Ave, 443-4221, 8 pm, $12.
TUESDAY MAY 25
UW CONTEMPORARY GROUP
Music from Germany. This concert sports two pieces by two leading post-Stockhausen German composers, Gerhard St...bler and Helmut Lachenmann, whose overlooked 2003 disc Schwankungen am Rand (ECM) forges a compelling dramatic musical language from extended techniques, unusual instrumental combinations, and explosive melodic cells. Also music by Robert HP Platz, who is actually the focus of the concert (and about whom I know nothing), and Robert Schumann. Meany Theater, UW campus, 543-4880, 7:30 pm, $5/$8.
