Music this week

Live music and more, tonight through Thursday, compiled by Tom Di Nardo, Shaun Brady, Sara Sherr, Jonathan Takiff and Damon C. Williams.

Taj Mahal: As precious as ivory, this living monument and link to blues history has inspired many a finger-picking, slip-sliding, sunny-side-up emulator - with Keb' Mo' and Otis Taylor among the most visible. You owe it to yourself to partake of the icon himself. Dennis Flyer Memorial Theater, Camden County College, Blackwood, N.J., 8 tonight, $29 and $36, 856-216-2170, CamdenCounty.com.

Daniel Johnston: People either love or hate Johnston for pretty much the same reasons. Subject of album tributes and documentary films, he's the musical equivalent of a primitive painter (and a striking visual artist in his spare time). His love songs are devoid of artifice, almost child-like. Same goes for his stage demeanor. The man has battled mental illness and is easily spooked in the spotlight if not presented with a totally supportive audience. By the process of natural selection, all should come together well this evening. The Capitol Years open. Trocadero, 10th and Arch streets, 8 tonight, $20, 215-922-LIVE, www.thetroc.com.

Switches: Unknown warm-up acts often get a raw deal. But if you're headed to this sold-out show with New York electro-dance popsters The Bravery, get there on time to hear these lads. As previewed on their forthcoming (March 18) album, "Lay Down the Law," the Switches are a cocksure, swaggering, British indie rock band that turns on the power with thrilling three-part harmonies, rubbery rhythms and enough hooks to catch any fish. Also imported for the occasion and worth checking out are the oddly named ('cause they're from Leeds, England, blokes) Your Vegas. Fillmore at TLA, 334 South St., 9 tonight, sold out, 215-336-2000, www.livenation.com.

Ingrid Michaelson: Another prime example of an alt-pop songstress making it as an "indie," without major label underwriting but with strong support from TV shows. Ingrid's heart-rending, piano-based music has been used in "Grey's Anatomy" and "One Tree Hill," with the jump-out tune "The Way I Am" also scoring as a TV commercial. Sharing her bill, David Ford and Matthew Perryman Jones. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. 7:30 tonight, $20, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

David Bromberg: He's been fiddling around Wilmington for years, running a violin sales and restoration business and hosting a weekly jam session. But in 2007, after a mere 17-year break, this legendary ex-playpal of Jerry Jeff Walker, Bob Dylan and many others (performing credits on 100 albums!) made a new album. "Try Me One More Time" showcases Bromberg's ornery, semi-subversive take on the blues in an intimate, solo acoustic setting. And darned if the album, on our local Appleseed label, didn't win a Grammy nomination in the traditional folk category. Truth is, we like the singer/guitarist even more when he's pumped up by a brassy, dexterous, 11-piece big band, tackling everything from ragtime to vamping blues, folk and bluegrass. That's how we'll find him performing tomorrow night, ya hoo. The Angel Band, a female trio that includes Bromberg's wife, 'Nancy Josephson, also will be featured. Keswick Theatre, Easton Road and Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 8 p.m. tomorrow, $33.50 215-572-7650, www.keswicktheatre.com.

Jay Geils, Gerry Beaudoin and the Kings of Strings: Noted blues player Geils and jazz guitarist Beaudoin turn back the musical clock with their breezy, acoustic quintet. Sellersville Theater, Main and Temple streets, Sellersville, 8 p.m. tomorrow, $25, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com.

k.d.lang: The lyrics on her new "Watershed" album are among the most self-referential, psychologically probing of lang's career. And the gracefully embellished music, she says, is "like a culmination of everything I've done - there's a little bit of jazz, a little country, a little of the 'Ingenue' sound, a little Brazilian touch. It really feels like the way I hear music, this mash-up of genres." Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, sold out. 215-893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.

Carrie Newcomer: If you don't have lang tickets, here's a great fall-back position. Newcomer also possesses a dramatic alto vocal instrument and writes life-lesson songs befitting its gravity, spirituality (she's Quaker) and sense of irony. While still something of an undiscovered treasure in these parts, Newcomer has just released her 11th album, "Geography of Light," that's won her best reviews ever. Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd St., 7 p.m. Sunday, $15, 215-928-0770, www.tinangel.com.

Pat McGee: Earthy, energized rockers from Virginia have built their following the hard way, with crunchy tunes and a whole lotta touring. Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd St., 8:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, $20, 215-928-0770, www.tinangel.com.

Simple Plan: As the name suggests, this Montreal-based quintet has a straightforward agenda - putting out catchy, romantic pop for the young at heart. They're back to tout a new album called, simply, "Simple Plan." With the Graduate and Desoto Jones. Fillmore at TLA, 334 South St., 8 p.m. Tuesday, $20, 216-336-2000, www.livenation.com.

English Beat: Three decades after their debut, the Beat remains the most popular of "two-tone" (aka ska or bluebeat) music exports, pumping out that jumpy, quivery British amalgam of punk, soul, pop and Jamaican island riddims. With RX Bandits. Trocadero, 10th and Arch streets, 7 p.m. Thursday, $20, 215-922-LIVE, www.thetroc.com.

B.B. King: The man sits down on the job these days, but, hey, he's the King. Tickets remain just for next Thursday's show, the first of his two nights in Glenside. Steve LaRocca opens. Keswick Theatre, Easton Road and Keswick Avenue, 8 p.m. Thursday $72.50. 215-572-7650, www.keswicktheatre.com.

Ghetto Songbird: Rockish soulstress will join like-minded artists such as the alternative-leaning Waheed, reggae band The Children of Jah and rocking Alien Architect for a mash-up show. Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave., 9 tonight, $7, www.iourecords.com/thefire.

Soul Comedy Cafe: Monthly comedy bonanza returns with Vanessa Fraction of "Def Comedy Jam," Jon Lester of BET's "Comicview" and Jamal Doman of the Just Jokes Academy. Bonus: Philly's own TuRae will host the show and afterparty. North By Northwest, 7165 Germantown Ave., 7 p.m. Sunday; afterparty 10 p.m., $10, $25 show and afterparty, 215-248-1000, www.nxnwphl.com.

The Beat Caper: Reef the Lost Cauze is still burning up the circuit. This time, he joins forces with JawnZap 7 for a night of rhythm making and beat breaking. Nice. Barbary, 951 Frankford Ave., 8 p.m. Thursday, $7, 21+, www.215hiphop.com.

The Gathering: Monthly set has become a can't-miss event. Feast on the feats of graffiti panelists, Bboys and girls and, of course, spontaneous rhyme cipher. DJs Ambush, Fatcat, Skeme Richards and others keep the music going. Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., 10 p.m. Thursday, no cover, 215-573-3234, foundationarts.org.

Atlas Sound: Deerhunter frontman Bradford Cox debuts his ambient folk project, with Valet and White Rainbow. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 8 tonight, $10, 215-739-9684, johnnybrendas.com.

Normal Love: West Philly experimentalists lead a music composition workshop at the Paul Green School of Rock, followed by a performance with Black Lodge Ensemble, Seven Twins and Dre Time. Black Lodge, 1508 Brandywine St., 6 tonight, $8, all ages, www.blacklodgeproductions.com.

'March of the Falsettos': Spearheaded by Sherman Arts' Rich Wexler with musical direction by Buried Beds' Eliza Hardy, Project Theater Project takes on the Jewish operetta about a man who divorces his wife when he falls for another man. Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., 8 tonight and tomorrow, 1 p.m. Sunday, $5-10, all ages, 215-573-3234, shermanarts.org

Make A Rising: Unorthodox local band celebrates the release of "Ellipse and Head with Open Fontanel" and Danger Danger Gallery's relocation. With Nat Baldwin, Make Your Own Maps, Little Ocean, Br'er, Blipvert and Planet Y. Danger Danger Gallery, 5013 Baltimore Ave., 6:30 p.m. tomorrow, $5, all ages, myspace.com/dangerdangergallery.

The Johns: Gritty NYC garage-rockers join a likeminded bill with the power-pop of the Donuts, girl-groupers the Shalitas, the Tough Sh-ts and DJ Thee Chief Inspector. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $8, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

Cordova Academy Glee Club: Out of the ashes of beloved punk-pop band Weston rise this group and their new CD, "Be Mine or There Will Be War." With the Castles, Swims and Besties. North Star Bar, 27th and Poplar streets, 9 p.m. tomorrow, $8, 215-684-0808, northstarbar.com.

Hell Under The El: It's an all-metal bill with the Judas Priest-inspired Hangman's Cry, old-biker-dude-metal Drive 56 and classic-metal Clashing Plaid. El Bar, Front and Master streets, 9 p.m. tomorrow, $7, 215-634-6430, www.myspace.com/hellundertheel.

Brother JT and Art DiFuria: Psych-rock saints Brother JT and Photon Band leader Art DiFuria rock out at tavern, owned by Three-4-Tens' Jamie Mahon. Green Rock Tavern, 2546 E. Lehigh Ave., 9 p.m. tomorrow, free, 215-203-1935.

The Loved Ones: Philly-Boston punk supergroup, releasing "Build & Burn," came out of the ashes of Kid Dynamite and the Explosion. With Gaslight Anthem, the Ergs and Amateur Party, featuring England Belongs to Twee DJ Mike McKee. First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 7:30 p.m. Sunday, $10, all ages, 267-765-5210, www.r5productions.com.

Pretty Vacant: The boys from Canine 10 spin the best '70s punk, power pop and new wave. Barbary, 951 Frankford Ave., 10 p.m. Sunday, www.myspace.com/thenewbarbary.

Dalek: Avant hip-hop band debuts Barbary's first all-ages show with R5 Productions. With Russian Circles and Young Widows. Barbary, 951 Frankford Ave., 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, $10, all ages, 267-765-5210, www.r5productions.com.

Times New Viking: Young Ohio trio that brought Philly label Siltbreeze back from the dead plays with synth-core cuties Pony Pants, Shooting Spires and Car Commercials. Danger Danger Gallery, 8 p.m. Wednesday, $5, all ages, www.myspace.com/badmasterrecords.

St. Vincent: Annie Clark (Polyphonic Spree, Sufjan Stevens) returns with her quirky brand of orch-pop. With Foreign Born. First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 8 p.m. Wednesday, $10-$12, all ages, 267-765-5210, www.r5productions.com.

Mingus Big Band/Cyrus Chestnut Trio: What was originally meant to be a pairing of two legendary names was altered when drummer T.S. Monk, slated to honor his father's legendary collaborations with John Coltrane, had to cancel due to illness. But pianist Chestnut, who paid tribute to a completely different icon on his latest, "Cyrus Plays Elvis," has stepped in. Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 260 S. Broad St., 8 tonight, $26-$69, 215-893-1999, www.kimmelcenter.org.

Guy Klucevsek and Alan Bern: Armed with two accordions, the duo attack a variety of styles, from classical to jazz to world music, conjuring sounds from church organ to klezmer. Trinity Center for Urban Life, 22nd and Spruce streets, 8 p.m. tonight, $15, www.arsnovaworkshop.com, www.relache.org.

Jazz-A-Ma-Tazz! New York-based saxophonist Hayes Greenfield presents an interactive show for kids, fronting a band that keeps things interesting for their parents (or those who don't mind a little audience scat-along with their bop). World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 11 a.m. tomorrow, $10 adults, $7 ages 1-12, 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.

Dave Burrell: Philly-based pianist presents the second performance of his new piece inspired by the poetry of Marianne Moore, as represented in the Rosenbach's collection. Rosenbach Museum & Library, 2008-2010 Delancey Place, 2 p.m. tomorrow, free with museum admission of $8, 215-732-1600, www.rosenbach.org.

Stanley Jordan: Fret-tapping virtuoso has never been away from the road for long, but this tour does come with a sense of event: the guitarist is supporting his first major release as a leader in 13 years, "State of Nature." Along for the ride will be his regular trio: bassist Charnett Moffett and drummer Kenwood Dennard. Harold Prince Theatre, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St., 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. tomorrow, $35, 215-898-3900, www.pennpresents.org.

McCoy Tyner Trio with Savion Glover: Legendary pianist Tyner has always been simpatico with percussionists, given his own aggressive keyboard attack. So it may be unusual but not surprising that he's found a fruitful partnership with tap-dance superstar Glover. The two will be supported by Tyner's working rhythm section, drummer Eric Kamau Gravatt and bassist Gerald Cannon. Gordon Theater, Rutgers-Camden Center for the Arts, 3rd and Pearl streets, Camden, 8 p.m. tomorrow, $35, 856-225-2700, www.rutgerscamdenarts.org.

Jonathan Kreisberg Trio: Guitarist Kreisberg is that rarest of creatures, a native New Yorker. His comfort with the jazz capital comes through in his soft-spoken virtuosity and slightly serrated edge. He can trade metropolitan 'tudes with Philly trumpeter John Swana, who will join Kreisberg and his trio, organist Gary Versace and drummer Obed Calvaire. Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom St., 8 and 10 p.m. tomorrow, $15, 215-568-3131, www.chrisjazzcafe.com.

Marco Benevento Trio: Keyboardist is best known for his Bonnaroo-friendly duo with drummer Joe Russo, one of the rare groups that can be safely referred to as jam band and jazz band without denigrating either. His current project is a similarly boundary-crossing trio with Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey bassist Reed Mathis and drummer Andrew Barr of the Slip. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 9 p.m. tomorrow, $15, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Matt Davis' Aerial Photograph: Philly guitarist launched his new year-long project in January, presenting new music each month for his incredible, 11-piece chamber-jazz ensemble, based on interviews with disparate sets of Philadelphia residents. Last month's piece was about octogenarians; this time, it's "City of Addiction." Tritone, 1509 South St., 10 p.m. Thursday, $10, 215-545-0475, www.tritonebar.com.

Philadelphia Orchestra: Charles Dutoit leads his second weekend with another major statement, Richard Strauss' "Alpine" Symphony, a huge depiction of mountain grandeur that'll make you clutch your gloves and scarf. The opener is another monument, one of divine genius, Mozart's final Symphony No. 41, the sublime "Jupiter." Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, 2 p.m. today and 8 p.m. tomorrow, $10-$113, 215-893-1999, www.philorch.org.

Academy of Vocal Arts: "Kat'a Kabanova" marks the first local presentation of an opera by the brilliant Czech composer Leos Janacek in 27 years. This striking 1921 work will be sung in the original Czech with English titles and feature the Wilma Theater's Blanka Zizka directing and multi-talented Luke Housner as music director and piano accompanist for the superb Academy voices. Helen Corning Warden Theater, 1920 Spruce St., 7:30 tonight, Feb. 26 and 28, plus March 1; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, $48-$83, 215-735-1685, www.avaopera.com.

Leipzig Quartet: Esteemed ensemble returns with three major gems from the top echelon of the repertory: string quartets by Mozart, his K.464, Beethoven's Op. 95, dubbed the "Serioso," and the Brahms Op. 51/1. Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Columbus Blvd., 8 tonight, $22.50, 215-569-8080, pcmsconcerts.org.

The 5 Browns: Quintet of piano-playing siblings, all Juilliard grads and familiar from major television spotlights, perform works by Gershwin, Rachmaninoff, Debussy, Schubert, Prokofiev, W. C. Handy, Saint-Saens, and more, ending with a version of Stravinsky's "The Firebird." Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, 3 p.m. tomorrow, $26-$59, 215-893-1999, www.kimmelcenter.org.

Juilliard String Quartet with Ricardo Morales: Famous quartet returns to tackle Verdi's rarely played Quartet and Elliott Carter's 1959 Quartet No. 2. Philadelphia Orchestra principal clarinetist Morales guests in the celestial Mozart Clarinet Quintet, K.581. Pennsylvania Convention Center, 13th and Cherry streets, 3 p.m. Sunday, $22.50, 215-569-8080, www.pcmsconcerts.org.

Philadelphia Trio: Since 1971, the team of cellist Deborah Reeder, violinist Barbara Sonies and pianist Elizabeth Keller have been celebrating the huge repertoire of piano trios. This time, two classics: Haydn's XV:30 and Dvorak's songful "Dumky" Trio, Op. 90, share the bill with Robert Muczynski's Trio No. 2, Op. 36. Main Line Unitarian Church, 816 Valley Forge Road, Devon, 3 p.m. Sunday, $11-$15, 610-664-0346.

Ambler Symphony Orchestra: Jack Moore conducts a program featuring scholarship award winners. Pianist Maria Adele Scott solos in Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 3, and cellist Genevieve Tabby and violinists Brianna Leary, Sabrina Carlotta Tabby and Allyson Tomsky step center stage for music by Lalo, Saint-Saens, Elgar and Vieuxtemps. Upper Dublin Lutheran Church, Susquehanna Road and Butler Pike, Ambler, 3 p.m. Sunday, $10, 215-641-0249, www.amblersymphony.org.

Syrinx Trio: Superlatively talented ensemble consists of Philadelphia Orchestra principal flute Jeffrey Khaner and harpist Elizabeth Hainen, plus one-time principal violist (and now Curtis Institute president) Roberto Diaz. They'll play Debussy's sublime Sonata, "After Syrinx" by the underappreciated Robert Russell Bennett, and Toru Takemitsu's evocative "And then I knew 'twas wind." Percussionist David DePeters joins for Jonathan Leshnoff's "5 things my kids asked me," slated for a Naxos recording. American Philosophical Society, 427 Chestnut St., 8 p.m. Monday, $22.50, 215-569-8080, pcmsconcerts.org.

Philadelphia Orchestra: Atlanta Symphony maestro (and Curtis alum) Robert Spano returns to lead Rachmaninoff's First Symphony. Pianist Peter Serkin, another Curtis alum and local favorite, solos in Mozart's Concert-Rondo, K.382 and Stravinsky's spiky Capriccio, with Spano starting it off with Stravinsky's rhythmic "Dumbarton Oaks" concerto. Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce Streets, 8 p.m. Thursday, 2 p.m. February 29 and 8 pm. March 1, $10-$113, 215-893-1999, www.philorch.org.