BLUE CROON Jazz saxophonist/vocalist Kris Kimura hasn't lived in San Antonio for a decade, but the Alamo City is never far from the bandstand when he and his quartet are playing. Kimura picked up his first horn at a local pawn shop and learned the basics while attending junior high in SA. He credits several local mentors with the development of his skills, and has built his group around two San Antonians, bassist Adam Booker and guitarist Tommy Howard (Illinois native Ryan Davis tickles the ivories).
Kimura has always regarded himself as an instrumentalist first and a vocalist second, but his soft, dulcet, Chet Bakerish croon ably serves his fondness for standards such as "Black Coffee," "Love for Sale," and "Ain't Misbehavin'." In 2004, Downbeat Magazine honored him with its award for Jazz Vocals.
Kimura, now based in Austin, makes a rare return to San Antonio with a performance at Luna Fine Music Club on Thursday, August 17. Showtime is 9 p.m., and the performance runs until 1 a.m. On Friday, August 18, Kimura will also sit in with Ken Slavin, another curator of American popular song, at the Fairmount Hotel's Sage Lounge.
LATIN SOUL SYNDICATE
Two of the city's finest exponents of Latin-funk rhythms, Bombasta and Sexto Sol, hit local clubs this weekend with the promising El Paso band Radio La Chusma. Bombasta headlines at Ruta Maya Riverwalk Coffee House on Friday, August 18. The following night, Sexto Sol - with a stellar new album, Let There Be Fire, in stores and coming soon to the band's website - will bring its percussive grooves to Sam's Burger Joint, joined by Radio La Chusma, Suzy and the Soul Review, and The Big Nasty Blues Band.
GETTING THE SHAFT
The upcoming Isaac Hayes show at Carver Cultural Center, presented by Sunset Station, has been moved to a roomier locale, Sunset Station's Lonestar Pavilion, and pushed back from September 14 to Friday, October 27. Tickets are currently on sale, and range from $20-$95. Refunds for the Carver show are available at point of purchase.
