Zakir Hussain and Niladri Kumar
November 5. Indian classical tabla master Zakir Hussain is a hallowed figure in his homeland and has collaborated with George Harrison, Yo-Yo Ma, Van Morrison, Pharoah Sanders, Shakti (a group he co-founded with John McLaughlin), Mickey Hart, and, of course, Ravi Shankar. Fifth-generation sitarist Niladri Kumar has taken the music to new places via his SiTARFUNK and other fusion projects. This rare duo date at the Egg guarantees to mesmerize. (Jug-band faves Jim Kweskin and Geoff Muldaur blow in November 11; country queen Emmylou Harris and the Low Anthem play November 14.) 8pm. $34. Albany. (518) 473-1845; www.theegg.org.
Jazz at the Rhinecliff
November 7, 14. There simply aren’t enough opportunities to hear good jazz in the region these days, so high kudos go to the Rhinecliff Hotel for keeping things swinging east of the Hudson. For years singer nonpareil Pamela Pentony ran the Chow Hound’s hot jam sessions in Saugerties; now ensconced at the Rhinecliff, she leads this month’s happening jazz jam on November 7, while earlier that day bassist and vocalist Doug Marcus serves up a jazz brunch. On November 14, jazz brunch returns with the Will Smith Trio. (The Friday Blues Dance Party series stars Big Joe Fitz on November 5; Joe Medwick’s Memphis Soul on November 12; and the Jay Collins Band on November 19.) Call or visit the website for set times and cover info. Rhinecliff. (845) 876-0590; www.therhinecliff.com.
Black Horse Riders
November 12. Guitarist Tim Curtis-Verderosa and vocalist and drummer Roland Gardner formed the core of late New Paltz outfit Verdes, which had one of the area’s fresher takes on the alt-Americana genre. Black Horse Riders, the pair’s new project, plays Market Market this month and strips away the, er, rural electrification of their earlier band, boiling the music down to its earthen essence: just Gardner’s sweet voice and Curtis-Verderosa’s warm acoustic delivering bittersweet ballads and poignant prose, straight from their hearts to yours. (Legendary Flamin’Groovies front man Roy Loney heats up November 7; the Anders Parker Cloud Badge floats by November 13.) 9pm. Donation requested. Rosendale. (845) 658-3164; www.marketmarketcafe.com.
Art for Animals Benefit with Laurie Anderson
November 19. Besides being one of modern music’s true innovators, Laurie Anderson has long been a soft-voiced champion of social justice and progressive causes. In an exclusive Club Helsinki appearance, she lends that same voice to “Rock ’n’ Roll Rescue,” which benefits Art for Animals, an organization founded in 1998 to save homeless New York animals from being euthanized and provide them with medical care. The event also promises singer-songwriter Joy Askew, cocktails, food by guest chefs, and more. (Roots greats Carrie Rodriguez and Jim Lauderdale perform November 6; Green on Red’s Chuck Prophet hits November 13.) 7pm. $150. Hudson. (518) 828-4800; www.helsinkihudson.com.
Frederic Hand
November 20. Frederic Hand is a god in the sphere of classical guitar. The house guitarist and lutenist of the Metropolitan Opera since 1986, Hand grabbed a Grammy nomination for his 1981 LP Baroque and on the Street (Columbia Records) along with several Emmy Awards, and is perhaps best known for his arranging and performance of the theme from the 1979 film Kramer vs. Kramer. Part of the Ritz Theater’s Tom Humphrey Guitar Series, this billing pairs Hand with his Woodstock-area neighbors in the chamber ensemble Esopus Musicalia. 8pm. $25. Newburgh. (845) 784-1199; www.ritztheaternewburgh.org.
This article appears in November 2010.
