Winter Music Highlights

After a very busy holiday season, Northern Ohio’s favorite live music venues have some good shows lined up to get fans through the winter.
One of the highlights of the winter each year is the Tri-C Rock Off at the House of Blues, taking place most weekends until the finals on February 12. Local favorite Paul Fayeweather is doing a show at the HOB on February 4, and blues guitarist Robert Cray and his band appear February 15. Check out more info at www.hob.com/cleveland.
February is filled with great shows at the Kent Stage including Max Weinberg’s Big Band on February 2; Leon Redbone on February 4; Columbus country rock legends McGuffey Lane on the February 26; and singer/songwriter Rodney Crowell on March 5. For more information go to www.kentstage.org.
The Winchester will be holding the fort down on the west side with shows including the Dan Reed of the Dan Reed Project on January 28; Commander Cody and his Band on February 11; a CD release party and comedy show featuring Mike Polk and Last Call Cleveland on February 12; and an encore performance of Jonah Koslen and Stage Pass Now on March 4. Go to .www.thewinchester.net for their complete schedule.
The Beachland Ballroom will be busy all winter, with shows leading up to their 11th Anniversary in March. Friday, January 28 is a day for local favorites with Cats on Holiday in the Tavern and the Schwartz Brothers in the Ballroom; Thursday, February 3 is Shelby Lynne; Saturday, February 5 is Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings; Friday, February 18 is Martin Sexton. The club’s anniversary weekend of March 4-6 includes a Friday double header with Paul Thorn and his Band in the Ballroom and Wayne “The Train” Hancock in the Tavern, and another double dip on Saturday with the Spampinato Brothers (from NRBG) in the Tavern and Jonathon Richmond in the Ballroom. Go to www.beachlandballroom.com for more information.
Jazz fans at Nighttown won’t be left out in the cold either, amongst their many shows this winter are Sunday, January 23, with rising trumpet star Dominick Farinacci and his Quartet; Friday, January 28, with alto saxophonist Richie Cole & Northstar; Sunday, February 13, Concord Recording Artist and Grammy Winning vocalist Kurt Elling doing two shows at 6 & 8 PM; Thursday, February 17, The Good Lovelies Juno winning trio from Toronto playing Folk-Roots and Western Swing; Friday, February 18, Violinist from the Cleveland Orchestra Lev Polyakin and his jazz group Russian Blue; and Saturday, February 19, rising alto saxophonist Bobby Selvaggio and his Quartet. Check out www.nighttowncleveland.com for the complete schedule and starting times.