LIVE FROM SAN DIEGO – Music on the coast this week

SPOTLIGHT

Country/rock-a-billy combo, The Sea Monks (above), celebrate the release of their latest album, “New Dreams,” with a special concert at Beaumont’s Eatery on July 12. Based around the three Kapchinske brothers, Noah (guitar), Jason (bass), and Kai (drums), alongside guitarist Jeff Houck, the album is a collaboration with keyboardist Johnny Sapphire, who will join the band for this show. Starting as kids in a family band, The Sea Monks played their first gig in 2015, with initial attention spotlighting their youth alongside their talent. Over the past decade, the band has grown into festival favorites, becoming veterans of numerous national tours, with an arsenal of excellent songs that straddle the line between bluesy early rock ‘n’ roll and outlaw country.

The Sea Monks: Friday, July 12 at Beaumont’s Eatery, 5662 La Jolla Blvd. 9 p.m. $10. beaumontseatery.com.

RECOMMENDED

British pianist Tom Cridland brings his Elton John tribute to Baker Baum Hall on July 8. While Elton John recently retired from touring, there is still much demand to hear his music live and Cridland does an excellent job of recreating his sound. Making this show particularly interesting for diehard fans, Cridland performs in trio format, with just bass and drums for backing, just as Elton John did in his early 1970s days. This gives the songs from later in his career a slightly different edge and showcases Cridland’s excellent piano playing. Fans can expect the greatest hits set, from “Your Song” to “I’m Still Standing.”

Tom’s Elton Tribute: Monday, July 8 at The Baker Baum Concert Hall at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave. 7 p.m. $43 – $53. theconrad.org.

On July 13 Dizzy’s will feature violinist Alyze Dreiling and guitarist Robert Wetzel, performing The Music of Paganini, Piazzolla, Plant & Page. Both artists are headliners in their own right, with Wetzel acclaimed for his classical performances and Dreiling also an award-winning conductor for the likes of the North Coast Strings. For this concert, they will be backed by drummer Heather Barclay and bassist Sam Johnson, with the night’s highlight sure to be the closing set of instrumental Led Zeppelin classics, such as “The Rain Song.” Fans of Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page will find much to admire in Wetzel’s playing.

The Music of Paganini, Piazzolla, Plant & Page: Saturday, July 13 at Dizzy’s at Arias Hall, 1717 Morena Blvd. 7:30 p.m. $20. dizzysjazz.com.

Guitarist John January has been a San Diego music mainstay for four decades, performing with a string of well-known locals along the way, including Michelle Lundeen, Gloom Cookies, and The January Berry Band. On July 13, he will release his first solo effort, “True,” with a matinee album release party that day at the Aquarius Bar & Grille. January is an excellent blues guitarist, as heard on the album’s first single, “Tanglewood Road,” but his sound is a bit more expansive, with touches of psychedelic rock and R&B in the mix. For this show he will perform the entire album, closing with a set of classic blues covers.

John January: Saturday, July 13 at the Aquarius Bar & Grille, 1548 Quivira Way. Noon. https://aquariusbargrille.com.

The 2024 Concerts by the Sea summer season kicks off on July 14 with a performance from Atomic Groove. The five-piece dance band is the perfect choice to open the series, offering up a set list with something for just about everybody. Atomic Groove performs music across genres, from Shania Twain’s country pop to Beyonce’s R&B grooves, with plenty of vintage classics in the mix. The common denominator among the band’s song selections is that they are all high-energy tunes and are meant to get people off their feet and dancing. Between the great music and the amazing ocean view at Scripps Park, this will be a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Atomic Groove: Sunday, July 14 at Scripps Park, 1133 Coast Blvd. 3:30 p.m. Free. kiwanisclublajolla.org/event/concerts-by-the-sea.

Fans of 1960s and 1970s pop rock won’t want to miss the Happy Together Tour, stopping in at Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay on July 17. On hand will be a number of the eras’ hitmakers, including Jay & The Americans (“This Magic Moment”), The Association (“Cherish”), Badfinger (“No Matter What”), The Vogues (“Five O’Clock World”), and The Cowsills (“The Rain, The Park And Other Things”), with the night hosted by The Turtles (“Happy Together”). Making the latter’s set extra special, founding Turtle Mark Volman will be joined on vocals by Ron Dante, best known as the singer for the Archies and the Cufflinks, for a run-through of his hits, such as “Sugar Sugar.”

Happy Together Tour: Wednesday, July 17 at Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 7:30 p.m. $66.50. humphreysconcerts.com.