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Read the press release here.

The Killers, Rick Ross and Leonard Cohen Play New York

By Daniel Jumpertz | December 12, 2012 8:42am

Wednesday, December 12
The Concert For Sandy Relief 2012 is to be broadcast live from Madison Square Garden tonight to more than 1 billion people. Starring the biggest of big-hearted artists on the planet: Kanye West, Alicia Keys, Bon Jovi, The Who, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Paul McCartney, Roger Waters (Pink Floyd), Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters), Chris Martin (Coldplay) and Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam). Can't make it? Here's where you can watch.

Thursday, December 13
Medeski, Martin & Wood (tonight with guest guitarist, composer and leader of Los Cubanos Postizos, Marc Ribot) continue to blur musical barriers midway through a six-evening residency at the famous Blue Note. Allmusic described Medeski Martin & Wood as "a group that effortlessly straddles the gap between avant-garde improvisation and accessible groove-based jazz."

Friday, December 14
The Killers' new album "Battle Born" picked up from where they left off with 2008's "Day & Age." The band formed in Las Vegas in 2001, enjoying international success with their very first single, the ubiquitous "Mr Brightside" — still their biggest hit to date in the U.S. Released in September, "Battle Born" has already hit the top spot in the U.K. and top five in the States, Australia, Canada and Germany. At Madison Square Garden.

Also tonight: Nada Surf are celebrating their 20th anniversary with a new album "The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy" tonight at The Bowery Ballroom (also Saturday), with Eternal Summers supporting.

And: Indie heroes Grizzly Bear, Sleigh Bells, The Antlers, and Cults join forces for victims of Hurricane Sandy. All proceeds go to the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City in support of hurricane relief efforts. At Terminal 5.

Saturday, December 15
"If the United Nations had a house band in 1962, hopefully we’d be that band." So says Thomas Lauderdale, leader of Pink Martini. Embracing an international style that utilizes the band's multi-national backgrounds, Pink Martini will have you feeling like you're in the middle of a samba parade in Rio one minute, and in a French music hall in the 1930s the next. At Isaac Stern Auditorium, Carnegie Hall (also Friday).

Sunday, December 16
Miami's hip-hop heavyweight Rick Ross plays Roseland Ballroom. Ross was the first artist signed to Diddy's management company Ciroc Entertainment. In early 2012, MTV named Ross as the "Hottest MC In The Game." The full list? 1) Rick Ross, 2) Drake, 3) Kanye West, 4) Nicki Minaj, 5) Lil Wayne, 6) Jay-Z, 7) Meek Mill, 8) Big Sean, 9) Wiz Khalifa, 10) Wale.

Monday, December 17
Another Sandy benefit! A great lineup of underground stars including Brooklyn-by-way-of-Boulder duo Chairlift, Twin Sister, Slowdance, Jason McMahon, and The Ice Choir (DJ Set) at the always entertaining Glasslands Gallery.

Tuesday, December 18
Leonard Cohen remains an enigmatic and essential artist, even as his 80th birthday approaches. In a speech at Cohen's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008, Lou Reed described the artist as belonging to the "highest and most influential echelon of songwriters." In a career spanning a dozen mightily influential albums and a dual creative life as a poet (beginning in the 1950s) Cohen has written many songs of rare and spiritual beauty. "Hallelujah," covered by Jeff Buckley, is one such song, as is "Suzanne," "Dance Me To The End Of Love," "Famous Blue Raincoat" and "First We Take Manhattan."  At Madison Square Garden.