By Daniel Jumpertz
Special to DNAinfo
Wednesday December 28
New Orleans trumpeter Wynton Marsalis celebrates the music of New Orleans' ragtime jazz legends Jelly Roll Morton and King Oliver at Dizzy's Club, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center. Check out this free download from Wynton's Christmas Jazz Jam, "Good King Wenceslas."
Thursday December 29
Former Talking Heads singer David Byrne's record label Luaka Bop is nearing the end of a two weeks residency at the artists' space The Stone. According to festival curators Yale Evelev and Mat Hal, the idea for the label has always been to release pop music no matter in what language or no matter from what country. Yale says, "for this series we have programmed musicians who are in our community, though not necessarily on the label itself. We have asked people to do something different than they would normally do and to use this opportunity to experiment and work with others."
Tonight, Andy Gonzalez and Friends play the music of salsa bass legend Arsenio Rodriguez.
Friday December 30
If you're into far-out sounds, the annual end of year improv party (and The Stone benefit) will be right up your alley. Featuring improv jazz legend (and The Stone's artistic director) John Zorn on sax and Sonic Youth's open-tuning guitar whiz Thurston Moore, alongside many special guests. $25 and two sessions: 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Also tonight: Looking for some old-school Manhattan magic? Feinstein's At Loews Regency features Barbara Cook, the grande dame of cabaret, sharing the stage with the singer and club owner Michael Feinstein.
New Year's Eve: Saturday December 31 - PICK OF THE WEEK
Back in the mid '70s, Los Lobos called themselves Los Lobos del Este (de Los Angeles) — "The Wolves of the East (of Los Angeles)." Although rising from East LA, the band's roots are Mexican, and they concocted their own potent mix of rock and roll, Tex-Mex, country, folk, R&B and traditional Spanish and Mexican music such as cumbia, boleros and norteños. They hit the big time with their cover of Richie Valen's "La Bamba" from the film of the same name (a US number one), and have released consistently strong albums since their breakthrough album "How Will the Wolf Survive?" in 1984. Tonight they bring in the New Year at City Winery.
Also tonight ... indie popsters and husband and wife duo Matt & Kim play the Hammerstein Ballroom.
Gogol Bordello's raucous gypsy cabaret features at Terminal 5.
Downtown icon Patti Smith plays her annual Bowery Ballroom set.
John Zorn (sax) and Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore (guitar) plus dozens of guests bring in the New Year at the annual Stone rent party.
Sunday January 1
Blow away the cobwebs (or pick up where you left off) with a disco brunch starring Disco Unlimited's classic '70s live disco show at the High Line Ballroom.
Monday January 2
Little Feat was formed by singer-songwriter, lead vocalist and guitarist Lowell George and keyboardist Bill Payne in 1969 in LA. Although the band has weathered many lineup changes in its history, its eclectic blend of American rock and roots music still thrives. Tonight they play City Winery.
Tuesday January 3
The Roots' drummer and all-round musical powerhouse Questlove DJ's at S.O.B.'s.
Wednesday January 4
Foul-mouthed hair band Steel Panther describe themselves as the hottest band out of Hollywood since Motley Crue, Guns N' Roses and Poison ruled the Sunset Strip. Tonight they strut their tight trousers stuff at Irving Plaza.
