Nduduzo Makhathini. Photo by Ndumiso Mtshali
Nduduzo Makhathini
8 p.m. Thursday. Vinegar Hill Music Theatre, 53 Old Post Road, Arundel, $30. vinhillmusic.com
South African pianist and composer Nduduzo Makhathini’s most recent album is last year’s “In The Spirit of Ntu,” and you’ll hear songs from it and his previous ones Thursday in Arundel. Makhathini’s musical vision is shaped by the connection between healing and ritual practices informed by the Zulu warrior code. He also took a deep dive into the music of other South African jazz musicians, including Bheki Mseleku and Moses Molelekwa. Makhathini has played festivals around the world and has performed at Manhattan’s iconic Blue Note jazz club.
Sunny War. Photo by Joshua Black Wilkins
Sunny War
7:30 p.m. Friday. Strand Theatre, 345 Main St., Rockland, $22 in advance, $25 day of show. rocklandstrand.com
Nashville-based roots singer-songwriter Sydney Lyndella Ward records under the name Sunny War, and she’s on tour for the album “Anarchist Gospel,” released in February. With a folk-punk sound, Sunny War is also an accomplished guitarist, and her songs speak of battling self-destructive tendencies. With tracks like “Shelter and Storm” and “I Got No Fight” as well as a cover of Dionne Warwick’s “Helpless,” Sunny War has made an album that will likely earn her a Grammy nomination next year.
Laura Jane Grace. Photo by Bella Peterson
Laura Jane Grace
9 p.m. Saturday. Aura, 121 Center St., Portland, $29.50. auramaine.com
Laura Jane Grace is the lead singer for popular punk band Against Me! that released seven albums and is now on hiatus. Since then, she’s released two albums, “Bought to Rot” (as Laura Jane Grace and the Devouring Mothers) and “Stay Alive” as a solo artist. In 2012, Grace publicly came out as a trans woman, and her 10-episode documentary series “True Trans With Laura Jane Grace” earned an Emmy nomination. Portland rock trio Weakened Friends opens the show.
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