As we near the end of September and start of October, when the local concert calendar will really kick into full gear, we have a lineup of musicians from Florida, elsewhere in the U.S., and even internationally visiting us this week.
Sarasota's Bombón will feature a rising star in the dembow genre originating from the Dominican Republic, while a jazz saxophonist and a folk band, both based in New York, will play their own Sarasota shows. Rounding out the list is a Florida blues-rocker who formerly lived on Anna Maria Island, and a funk-jazz-fusion band that'll play both originals and '90s grunge covers in their instrumental style. Here are this week's highlights. Event details are subject to change.
beach party, Oktoberfest
Daniel Bennett Group
New York City saxophonist Daniel Bennett and his band will return to Gulf Gate Library on Friday afternoon. The concert will celebrate the release of the group's latest album "The Deconstructed Songbook," offering fresh takes on jazz standards and popular songs, while also featuring a selection of their original compositions.
Bennett, who is also a muscial educator at the New York Jazz Academy and played woodwinds in "Blank! The Musical," will perform with drummer and keyboardist Koko Bermejo and six-string bassist Kevin Hailey. 2 p.m. Friday; Gulf Gate Library, 7112 Curtiss Ave., Sarasota; 941-861-1110; scgovlibrary.librarymarket.com
Lomiiel
Bombón Restaurant & Lounge, one of a handful of Sarasota venues that host contemporary Latin music concerts, will welcome Lomiiel, a rising star in the dembow genre originating from the Dominican Republic, on Saturday. Lomiiel had his breakthrough hit with 2024's "Hay Lupita," which currently has more than 350 million streams on Spotify (where he also has nearly five million monthly listeners) and got him named a Latin Artist on the Rise by Billboard.
The following year, he released his debut full-length "Blesss the Album," which closes with "Hay Lupita." 9 p.m. Saturday; Bombón Restaurant & Lounge, 1118 N. Washington Blvd., Sarasota; $26.64 and up; tickeri.com
JK and the Contraband
Fogartyville will welcome this Central Florida-based funk, jazz and fusion collective led by guitarist John Krasula, aka JK, for a show divided between covers and originals. A first set will featured reimagined, instrumental versions of songs by '90s grunge and alternative acts such as Nirvana, Soundgarden and Alice in Chains.
The second set will feature "cinematic, high-energy original compositions blending jazz fusion, hip-hop rhythms, and psychedelic textures.” 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show Saturday; Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota; $25, $20 members, $13 students ages 13 and up; 941-894-6469; fogartyville.org
Damon Fowler
Guitarist, singer-songwriter and former Anna Maria Island resident Damon Fowler will return to Manatee County this week for a show at Bradenton's 88 Live Piano Bar. Fowler topped Billboard's blues albums chart and earned a Blues Music Award nomination for Blues Rock Album for his 2021 full-length "Alafia Moon."
Along with his solo career, Fowler played with late Allman Brothers Band cofounders Butch Trucks and Dickey Betts, and plays in the supergroup Southern Hospitality with Grammy-nominated pianist Victor Wainwright and fellow Floridian J.P. Soars. 7 p.m. Wednesday; 88 Live Piano Bar, 6640 Cortez Road W., Bradenton; 941-900-1133; facebook.com/88livepianobar
The Mammals
Fogartyville's live music lineup this week also includes Hudson Valley, New York folk band The Mammals. The group was founded by Mike Merenda and Ruth Ungar, the latter the daughter of Jay Ungar, best known for his track "Ashokan Farewell" from Ken Burns' "The Civil War."
The band visit Fogartyville after last year releasing the two-volume album "Touch Grass" — the online phrase to tell someone to log off and, in the Mammals' case, a sincere plea to reconnect with the natural world. 6 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. show Thursday, Oct. 1; Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota; $35, $30 members, $15 students ages 13 and up; 941-894-6469; fogartyville.org
Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Top Sarasota area concerts this week include rising Latin music star
