*Guitarist Thom Gomez from Oxford and saxophonist Rick Sadlon from Sandy Hook, who have teamed up to create the appropriately named THE GOMEZ&SADLON SMOOTH JAZZ DUO, have their next show at The Twisted Vine in Derby this weekend. The guys will begin around 8 pm and will perform three sets on Saturday, March 26.

If you’d like to hear a preview of what the duo sounds like head over to www.MySpace.com/SmoothJazzExpressions.

*Tickets will be going on sale Friday morning (March 25) for a May 4 appearance by JASON BONHAM’S LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE at The Dome at Oakdale, Wallingford.

All seats are $35.50 and this will be a general admission presentation; www.LiveNation.com.

*Also new this week is the announcement that SADE, with special guest John Legend, will be at Mohegan Sun Arena on July 3. Tickets run from $49.50 to $149.50 and will be on sale at 10 am Saturday, April 2, through TicketMaster. Tickets will then be available through the casino’s box office as well 24 hours later.

*For those of you who have (or know of…) a garage band or student run band of any musical style, The Connecticut Association of Schools is sponsoring “the ultimate statewide battle of the bands” (their words, not mine), Bandjam 2011.

Student bands from around the state will compete in front of highly qualified judges on Friday, May 13, at Norwich Free Academy or Friday, May 20, at Darien High School to receive awards, gift certificates from Sam Ash Music Stores, and a gig on the main stage at the International Festival of Arts and Ideas in New Haven.

The deadline for submission of registration materials is Friday, April 29. All information and registration materials can be found at www.casciac.org under Student Activities section or from a music teacher or administrator in most high schools school.

For additional information contact Bandjam Festival Director Rick Sadlon at: RSadlon@darienps.org or 203-655-3981 extension 2329.

Until next week, I’ll be seeing you… on the road.

Questions and comments should be sent to Shannon Hicks c/o The Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 06470, or shannon@thebee.com, or call the office at 426-3141. Shows listed at clubs are for ages 21 and over unless specified.

 

UPCOMING SHOWS

MARCH 25 — Graham Parker at Infinity Music Hall, Norfolk; Bret Michaels at The MGM Grand at Foxwoods, Mashantucket; Old School at Proud Mary’s, Newtown; The Adults at Greenwoods Ale House & Grille, Bethel;

March 26 — Thin Lizzy at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den, Uncasville; The Way-Back Machine at The One-Eyed Pig, Newtown; The Gomez&Sadlon Smooth Jazz Duo at The Twisted Vine, Derby;

March 27 — Stevie Nicks & Rod Stewart at Mohegan Sun Arena;

March 28 — Gordon Lightfoot at The Warner Theatre, Torrington.

APRIL 1 — Assembly of Dust at Fairfield Theatre Company; Aaron Neville at The Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield;

April 2 — Duran Duran at The MGM Grand at Foxwoods, Mashantucket; Jonathan Edwards at Infinity Music Hall, Norfolk; Jack Ingram at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den, Uncasville;

April 7 — Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone at Infinity Music Hall;

April 8 — Kenny Chesney at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncle Kracker and Billy Currington opening (also April 9); Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone at The Ridgefield Playhouse; Hollywood Undead, 10 Years, Drive A and New Medicine at The Dome at The Oakdale, Wallingford; Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den;

April 9 — Kenny Chesney at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncle Kracker and Billy Currington opening; Average White Band at Infinity Music Hall;

April 15 — Poco at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den;

April 16 — Dave Mason at Infinity Music Hall; Lee Brice at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den; All Stars of Boston Rock at The Palace, Waterbury; The All Stars of Boston Rock at The Palace Theater, Waterbury (featuring J. Geils, Magic Dick, Danny Klein, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, David Hill, Elliot Easton, Sandy MacDonald, Johnny A., The Uptown Horns & many others), The Stompers and Ernie and The Automatics opening;

April 17 — Ricky Martin at Mohegan Sun Arena;

April 18 — Fran Cosmo at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den;

April 22 — Harry Connick Jr & Orchestra at The MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods, Mashantucket; Rusted Root at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den;

April 23 — The Doobie Brothers at The Warner Theatre, Torrington;

April 28 — Jon Anderson at Infinity Music Hall;

April 29 — Alan Jackson at Mohegan Sun Arena, Sunny Sweeney opening; Roomful of Blues at Infinity Music Hall;

April 30 — Eddie Money at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den.