boulder theater
14th and Pearl Streets,
Boulder 786-7030

David Arthur & His Roundtable Band, April 10, 8:30 p.m., $3.
Branford Marsalis, April 11, 8 p.m., $15-20.
Nashville Bluegrass Band, April 16, 8 p.m., $7

bluebird theater
Colfax and Adams Streets, Denver
322-2308

Loudon Wainright III, April 10, 7 p.m., $5
Lord of Word & the Disciples of Bass, April 10, 10 p.m, $10.
Roy Hargrove, April 11, 8 p.m., $20-32
Johnette Napolitano w/ Maria Fatal, April 12, 7 p.m., $8-11.
Judge Roughneck w/ Warsaw, April 13, 9 p.m., $10
Boom Shaka w/ Zuet, April 14, 9 p.m., $8.
Chrome featuring Helios Creed w/ Register, April 15, 9 p.m., $5.
Jugheadās Revenge w/ Straight Faced and Qual M, April 16, 9 p.m., $5

9th ave. west
9th and Acoma Streets
Denver, 572-8006

Swingbilly, April 10-11, 10.pm., $5.
Conjunto Colores, April 16, 10.p.m., $5.

the mercury cafe
22nd and California Streets,
Denver, 294-9258

Vox Femina and Abracadabra, April 10, 8 p.m. $10-12.
Zukes of Zydeco, April 11, 9 p.m., $8-10.
Jazz West, April 12, 7:30 p.m., $6.
Misery Loves Company and Shawn Wagner, April 14, 8 p.m. $5.
Crystal Swing Band, April 15, 7:30 p.m., $6.
Joel Kayeās Neophonic Big Band, April 16, 7:30 p.m., $6.



judge roughneck
Bluebird Theater, April 13, 9 p.m., $10

    This special blend of ska and reggae marks Judge Roughneck as a band unlike any other gracing Coloradoās funky ska scene. Boasting a powerhouse horn section and an incredible ex-Metroite on the kit, this group puts on a show to rival any youāll see on the Bluebirdās stage anytime soon.
    Zach Pietlock, drummer, is a new and very well thought out addition to the group coming from a background of jazz and rock, his ability far surpasses that of 99 percent of the regionās drummers. His strong attack and colorful improvisations should give Judge Roughneck some much appreciated depth and diversity as the band explores its rhythmic paths through Denver.


branford marsalis
Boulder Theater, April 11, 8 p.m., $15-20

    Itās about time he made another trip through Colorado. Considered one of the strongest young lions in the jazz world, this sax player knows where the music is headed and leads the listener there.
    This most talented Marsalis brother has run the gambit of the genre, producing straight-ahead, in-the-pocket be bop hits then segueing into the acid jazz bebop to hip-hop grooves in his group Bucksot LaFonque.
    This Marsalis understands the pulse of the music as it fluctuates with every passing year. His work is more than progressive, without descending into the pits of musical inoffensibility that marks some other famous saxophonists. His playing is pure, his composition is textured and rich, and his grooves push like a fevered storm in the tropics.
    Branfordās stint on the Tonight Show as Jay Lenoās bandleader didnāt mar his ability or stymie his creativity as so many worried it would. Thankfully, he left Lenoās side a few years ago in search of musical purity, and he continually finds fountains of it wherever he plays.