Every week, we present a curated list of live music in a wide range of genres all around the Valley. A diverse lineup this week includes African interpretations of bluegrass music, a celebration of Motown, psychedelic rock, regional Mexican music, and off-the-cuff country.
Pascal Bokar Afro Blue Grazz Band
Monday, August 9 at The Nash
Wednesday, August 11 at Ottowa University
Musician Pascal Bokar, born in France and raised in Senegal, West Africa, leads eleven musicians playing instruments like fiddles, banjos, balafons (related to xylophones), and the West Africa sabar drum in a mesmerizing blend of jazz and African music. 7 p.m. Monday, August 9 at The Nash, 110 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix, thenash.org; and 7 p.m. Wednesday, August 11, at Ottowa University, 15950 N. Civic Center Plaza, Surprise. Tickets cost $25.
Sandra Bassett Motown Revue
Friday, August 13 at Chandler Center for the Arts
Phoenix singer Sandra Bassett brings soul to everything she does, whether it’s a bluesy revue, a night of jazz, or in this case, a celebration of Motown classics. This high-energy show should inspire plenty of dancing and nostalgia. 7:30 p.m. Friday, August 13 at Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, chandlercenter.org. Admission is free.
Psychedelephants and Rachel Bachman
Friday, August 13 at The Lost Leaf
The psychedelic pop rock of Phoenix band Psychedelephants shares head space with the feelgood folk of Rachel Bachman at the recently reopened Lost Leaf. 8 p.m. Friday, August 13 at The Lost Leaf, 914 N. 5th St., Phoenix, thelostleaf.org. Admission is free.
Grupo Firme
Friday, August 13 at Footprint Center
Popular Mexican band Grupo Firme plays a range of regional Mexican music, from corridos ballads to dance-inciting norteña songs. 8 p.m. Friday, August 13 at Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, footprintcenter.com. Tickets cost $173-$785.
The Ray & Gary Shit Show
Friday, August 13 at Handlebar-J BBQ Restaurant & Bar
Every Friday, Ray Herndon and Gary Bruzzese, along with John Willis and Duane Wriston, play a gamut of country music favorites, with some entertaining and wild banter in between. 7:30 p.m. Friday, August 13 at Handlebar-J BBQ Restaurant and Bar, 7116 E. Becker Lane, Scottsdale, handlebarj.com. Admission is free.
