Alice Cooper, local and guzheng jazz, and comedy in Connecticut
With the arrival of autumn, here’s a reminder that some things fall off and fade away. Several big shows that had been scheduled to happen this week have been postponed, including the divine Joan Osborne/ Madeleine Peyroux double bill at the Garde in New London (now happening in May of 2022) and Tony Bennett at Foxwoods; the cautious crooner (who’s 95) has canceled his entire fall tour.
Another reason to check a venue’s website before heading off to see a show: changing COVID policies. More and more venues, and touring artists, are asking for proof of vaccination or a recent negative test.
Alice Cooper and Ace Frehley in Bridgeport
Alice Cooper’s new album is the remarkable “Detroit Stories,”
a conceptual tribute to the city where his original band found its voice. “Detroit Stories” also pays tribute to such great Detroit bands as The Stooges, MC5, Bob Seger Band and Outrageous Cherry. Given that hyperspecific locational theme, who better to invite along on tour than Ace Frehley, half of the legendary guitar battle on Kiss’ 1976 hit “Detroit Rock City.” Hartford Healthcare Ampitheatre, 500 Broad St., Bridgeport. Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m. $19.50-$179. livenation.com.
The art of sax
The New British Museum of American Art doesn’t just have a new Sol Lewitt prints exhibition to boast about. The museum has returned to hosting live concerts, and will have New York City saxophonist Daniel Bennett and his group there Sept. 22 at
7:30 p.m. $10, first come, first served for seating; museum members have access to a preshow meetthe-artist event. It’s the kick-off of the NBMAA’s 2021 Walnut Hill Jazz series. 56 Lexington St, New Britain. nbmaa.org.
Big Al’s back
Big Al Anderson is especially big in Connecticut, where the guitarist turned heads as a member of The Wildweeds back in the 1960s, before the rest of the country learned about him from his years with NRBQ, the songs he wrote in Nashville and his abundant solo career. Anderson’s doing a two-night stand Sept. 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. 300 Main Street, Old Saybrook, with Floor Models from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. $55. katharinehepburntheater.org.
Sublime time
Sublime created a unique Californian rock/ reggae/hip-hop blend that ruled its smooth-skanking
niche until vocalist/ guitarist Bradley Nowell’s death from an overdose in 1996. The band reemerged 13 years later with a new frontman, Rome, and under the name Sublime With Rome has now released as many albums (three) as the original Sublime did. The band has also influenced a slew of other bands, not least their current tourmates Dirty Heads. The two bands evoke sun and summery vibes, and arrive just as fall has hit New England, Sept. 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the Westville Music Bowl, 45 Yale Ave., New Haven. $20-$120. westvillemusicbowl.com.
Still average after all these years
The long-lived jazz pop band that picks up the pieces and cuts the cake, Average White Band, is at Infinity Hall, 20 Greenwoods Road West, Norfolk, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. $58-$68. infinityhall.com.
Young jazz,
Old State House
Accomplished pianist Mike Carabello, who studied locally at the Jackie McLean Institute
and played in the Artist’s Collective Youth Jazz Orchestra in his youth and now plays with several strong local bands, is on the East Lawn of the Old State House, 800 Main
St. Hartford Sept. 24 at noon for its summer music series. Free. cga.ct.gov/osh.
Amiable Hamilton
Comedian Ryan Hamilton hails from the Midwest, is unassuming and self-deprecating and works clean. In a different era, he’d have become a late-night talk show host long ago. Hamilton brings his sarcastic observational humor to Foxwoods Resort Casino’s Great Cedar Ballroom Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. $32-$40. foxwoods. com.
Guzheng jazz
HuaTian Ave, a self-described “unispherical jazz” trio of clarinet, guitar and the Chinese zither-like instrument the guzheng, perform Sept. 25 at 5 p.m. at Arts Center East, 709 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon. Free; donations welcomed.
Hayward solo
Justin Hayward wrote
and sang The Moody Blues’ biggest hits, including “Knights in White Satin” and “Tuesday Afternoon,” but also had a simultaneous solo career that dates back to the mid-1970s. Hayward’s at Infinity Hall, 30 Front St., Hartford, Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. $70-$80. infinityhall.com.
Farm Aid!
It’s finally here: Farm Aid, the annual benefit for American farmers that Hartford is happy to host once again. (The last time was 2019; last year’s was virtual.)
No Neil Young this year; you’ll just have to settle for Willie Nelson & Family, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Sturgill Simpson, Tyler Childers, Margo Price, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Bettye Lavette, Jamey Johnson, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Allison Russell, Particle Kid, Ian Mellencamp and the Wisdom Indian Dancers. Plus you’ll learn about, and eat food from, Connecticut farms. $125-$305. Xfinity Theatre, 61 Savitt Way, Hartford. farmaid.org/ festival.