Best Bets

Call the purist police!

Alice Russell
TUE, JUN 30. SUPERMARKET, 268 AUGUSTA
More believable than Duffy and less sketchy than Amy Winehouse, Suffolk, England’s Alice Russell works the white-soul angle, pairing a scorching voice with the funky bombast of an impressive backing band. Her covers (“Seven Nation Army,” Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy”) add a touch of kitsch to these serious-as-a-heart-attack grooves. $20. 9:30pm.  CHRIS BILTON

The Bug
SAT, JUL 4. THE SOCIAL, 1100 QUEEN W.
Probably the most impure inclusion in this year’s jazz fest, electronic/industrial musician Kevin Martin (a.k.a. Ice, Techno Animal) and his long-standing project The Bug also offer one of the most intriguing genres: experimental dancehall. $20. 11:30pm.  CB

The Heavy
FRI, JUN 26, SUPERMARKET, 268 AUGUSTA
Imagine Danger Mouse going back in time to produce Curtis Mayfield’s Superfly smoothie-funk soundtrack and you’ll have an idea what you’re in for with England’s The Heavy. $17.50. 10pm.  CB

Van Der Graaf Generator
SAT, JUL 4. OPERA HOUSE, 735 QUEEN E.
You can blame these Brits for creating prog-rock in the ’70s, but you’ve got to admire them for getting back together to remind the all those wannabe Tool bands who the OGs really are. $30 advance, $35 door. CB

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A sampling of T-dot’s finest

Brandi Disterheft
WED, JUL 1. NATHAN PHILLIPS SQUARE, 100 QUEEN W.
Bassist Brandi Disterheft’s Juno-winning debut album Debut came as a pleasant surprise to followers of the local scene. Blending hard bop–inspired compositions with the occasional pop-inflected vocal, Debut is equal parts classic and progressive, and Disterheft displays formidable talents as a writer, bassist and bandleader. Seen here opening for Dave Brubeck, Disterheft’s follow-up album and a recent collaboration with Hank and Oliver Jones are two of this year’s most anticipated releases. $55. 8pm.  CB

DMBQ
SAT, JUL 4. THE REX HOTEL, 194 QUEEN W.
This quintet’s tunes ably showcase the abilities of its members, especially David Braid’s piano work and the interplay of Tara Davidson’s alto and Mike Murley’s tenor saxophones. $15. 8pm.  CB

Shannon Butcher
WED, JUL 1, THE REX, 194 QUEEN W., AND THU, JUL 2, GATE 403, 403 RONCESVALLES
Kudos to Butcher for figuring out that No Doubt’s “Just A Girl” is a perfectly acceptable vehicle for vocal jazz improv. Her album, Words We Both Could Say, is full of similar adaptations, which showcase her warm and sunny voice. Free. 5pm (both shows).  CB

The Tim Posgate Hornband
FRI, JUL 3, TRANE STUDIO, 964 BATHURST.
Taking a nod from Bill Frisell’s post-folk experiments, guitar and banjo player Posgate explores rhythm section–less freedom with three horn players in his namesake Hornband. $15. 9pm.  CB

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Going beyond the jazz realm

Enrico Rava and Stefano Bollani
WED, JUL 1, CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER, 162 BLOOR W.
Italian trumpet player Rava has spent 40 years developing an honest, direct sound, which interfaces well with free jazz, minimalism, classics of the American and Brazilian jazz canons and opera. Pianist Bollani has been his sparring partner for many years; their stream-of-consciousness interactions are alchemical, in which global forms are spontaneously combusted. $25. 7pm.  DAVID DACKS

Chucho Valdés
WED, JUL 1. ENWAVE THEATRE, 231 QUEENS QUAY W.
One of the most technically amazing pianists alive, Valdés’ blinding speed on the keys will be deployed to maximum effect in a quartet setting that balances his ingenuity and bombast. $25. 7pm and 9:30pm.  DD

Mr Something Something
SAT, JUN 27. SILVER DOLLAR, 486 SPADINA AV.
These locals’ new album Shine Your Face pares down the frantic locomotion of Afrobeat to stretch out the band’s jazz chops. And drummer Larry Graves swings like hell. $15. 9:30pm.  DD

Gypsophilia
FRI, JUL 3. NATHAN PHILLIPS SQUARE, 100 QUEEN W.
This Halifax band start with Django Reinhardt’s influence, and go off into klezmer, funk and non-cringeworthy reggae. Perfect for making even stiffs dance. Free. 5pm.  DD

Don Byron with the Michael Occhipinti Quartet
TUE, JUN 30. THE REX HOTEL, 194 QUEEN W.
Tenor saxist/clarenetist Byron’s evergreen invention is matched by Michael Occhipinti’s range on guitar.  Expect varied approaches, and hellacious grooves. $10. 11pm.  DD

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The voices of experience

Sonny Rollins
FRI, JUN 26. FOUR SEASONS CENTRE, 145 QUEEN W.
Don’t go see Sonny Rollins because he’s a legend, or because he’s pretty good for a 78-year-old. Go see him because, to this very day, he can produce a fleet-footed run of melodic bebop wizardry that none of his acolytes have yet been able to match. $45-$107. 8pm.  DAVE MORRIS

Tony Bennett
SUN, JUL 5. CANON THEATRE, 244 VICTORIA.
He may have left his heart in San Francisco, but miraculously, the original crooner keeps stealing ours every time he comes to town. $51-$151 from TicketKing, www.ticketking.com, 416-872-1212. 8pm.  DM

Gary Burton & Pat Metheny
MON, JUN 29. FOUR SEASONS CENTRE, 145 QUEEN W.
Burton’s vibes and Metheny’s guitar were an unstoppable combination the first time they got together, never mind 35 years later. With the Botos Brothers. $45-$85.  DM

Félix Stüssi 5 & Ray Anderson
SUN, JUL 5. THE PILOT, 22 CUMBERLAND.
Montreal pianist Stüssi needs no help conjuring an adventurous blast of modern jazz, so adding veteran trombonist Anderson to the mix is overkill. Nah, bring it on. $15. 9pm.  DM