Water Street Music Hall is bringing back Billy Bang and Al Di Meola again this year (both Al and Billy were here last year), one day after the other on November 8th & 9th:

• Jazz violinist Billy Bang is a favorite here in Rochester and always puts on a great show with a fantastic band of musicians. His music is very personal, painfully so, much of it reflecting his experiences in Vietnam, which he explored in the albums Vietnam: The Aftermath (2001) and Vietnam: Reflections (2005), which he recorded with a band including several other veterans of that war. NeoCollage will be opening. Doors will open for his performance on November 8th at 7:00 pm. Tickets for the 13+ show will be $15 and $20 at the door and are available through Ticketmaster.
• Di Meola and the World Sinfonia 2007-2008 will be bringing on the guitar god thing on November 9th. His last time here, Di Meola was touring on his recently released album Consequence of Chaos. I was there last year as a guest of his congero (and long term member of Di Meola's band, Gumbi Ortiz). Great show. Al has a lot of friends and rabid fans around here.  Doors will open for this performance at 8:00 pm. Tickets for the 13+ show will be $30 and $35 at the door and are available through Ticketmaster.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to go hear either of them as I will be in Philadelphia. Perhaps I'll find some jazz there? More details are available on Water Street's site.