Josh Ritter returned to City Winery this week, performing to an eager audience that had been awaiting his performance since he had to cancel the original show back in February due to illness.

Last Thanksgiving was the 40th anniversary of perhaps the most important concert event in rock ’n’ roll history.  The Last Waltz was promoter Bill Graham’s grandest achievement of his career. Pulling off an unprecedented pre-show Thanksgiving dinner for a couple thousand lucky attendees for what was said to be The Band’s final concert at the legendary Winterland Auditorium in San Francisco.

It’s been covered by the Dave Matthews Band, The Guess Who and sampled by Eminem. But that’s merely the short list. Originally released as a single, “Time of the Season” has enjoyed a lengthy and unprecedented run, yet, ironically, the smooth, sexy ballad was originally passed over.

Over the weekend on Friday night, two members of Greensky Bluegrass, Paul Hoffman and Anders Beck, teamed up with Billy Strings and Samson Grisman for night three of a four show run through Colorado as the Phoffman/Beck Quartet played to a sold-out show in Frisco, Colorado at the Barkley Ballroom.

Jazz seems to be an art for only those who really understand and/or concentrate on music. The Greyboy Allstars have been playing their funked up, improvised, powerful versions of jazz jams for almost as long as the Fox Theatre has been in existence. For two nights, they were celebrating together as part of the Fox Theatre’s 25^th anniversary month. And for this celebration, they picked one of the classiest and most talented foursomes to party with.

On Saturday, March 18, the improvisational-jam based and progressive aggressive styling of Umphrey’s McGee returned to the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles for the third time in as many years.

Keepin it casual, Greensky Bluegrass rocked a two set Spring Tour Wednesday evening in Urbana IL.  Home of the fighting Illini, there was a full-on hug war happening.  From the floor to the balcony the bee boppin Greensky opened with Feeling Alright and began a birthday show toast-worthy fo sho. Take Cover has gotten so dang funky.  There were birthday shots and shouts-out for Guido as Anders Beck hosted his own witty Casual Wednesday banter with the crowd...

Last Sunday, March 12, the Chicago-based progressive aggressive improvisational six piece known as Umphrey’s McGee crammed themselves, their full arsenal of gear and a fraction of their typical lighting array onto The Grate Room stage at Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael, CA.

March in Boulder, Colorado is not only a celebration of the most beautiful season, but this March is a special one because it is the 25^th Anniversary of a legendary venue, the Fox Theatre. The performances thus far have been exceptional to say the least. I have heard from the founders, the bartenders, and fans alike, and the run of shows this month have been legendary. Rose Hill Drive is celebrating a comeback of sorts at this venue as well.

Minneapolis-based PHO is comprised of Arthur “LA” Buckner (drummer), Spencer Christensen (guitarist), Joe Paris (guitar), Luke Ibach (bass), Aaron Levin (tenor sax/flute), Lukas Skrove (trumpet/flugel horn) and Patrick Horigan (keyboardist). Don’t let the fact that these cats look young-enough-to-get-carded fool you; they are a bonafide funk machine plus.