A wild weekend of music is in store for islanders, with four very different shows scheduled to raise the rafters at venues around town.
Ghana comes to Vashon with Paa Kow’s big band
The fun will start at 9 p.m. Friday, when drummer, band leader and composer Paa Kow brings his nine-member All Means Band to the Bike’s stage for a free night of exuberant, danceable world music. Expect songs in a mix of Paa Kow’s native language, Fante, and English.
Pete Welch of Vashon Events is bringing the bandleader to town and promoting the show.
“Paa Kow is so inspirational,” Welch said. “I can’t wait to see the energy he and his band bring to the Bike.”
Paa Kow, who grew up in a small village in Ghana, has shared the stage with many African greats, including Amakye Dede, George Darko, Kojo Antwi, Nat Brew, Hugh Masekela and Vusi Mahlasela.
According to Welch, he is widely acclaimed as a drum set player and has toured worldwide. The All Means Band, he said, bridges the gap between Ghana and America.
An evening of classical Spanish guitar
The passionate and sonorous strains of classical guitar will be played during “Friends: Made in Spain, An Evening of Classical Guitar,” a concert slated for 8 p.m. Friday at Havurah Ee Shalom, at 15401 Westside Hwy. S.W.
Juan Carlos Lorenzo, a visiting performer and teacher from Bilbao, Spain, and Canadian guitarist Matt Klassen, who now lives in Redmond, will play a program featuring mostly Spanish classical guitar music. In solos and duets, they’ll treat listeners to music by Albeniz, Sor, Scarlatti, Jobim and other masters.
The concert is recommended for all ages, and admission is by donation. No one will be turned away for a lack of funds.
Rafe Pearlman will offer otherworldly vocals
Welch is also the promoter responsible for bringing Rafe Pearlman and his band to Nirvana at 9 p.m. Saturday for a free show.
Saturday’s show, Welch said, is a warm-up for Pearlman’s upcoming gig at the Tractor Tavern in Seattle.
Over the years, Pearlman has had a number of eclectic musical adventures, including performing on “America’s Got Talent,” headlining at music festivals, performing as the first male voice on Sony’s “God of War” video game and being involved in many different recordings and bands.
His recent release, “Dust & Gold,” is a collection of songs recorded with his longtime collaborator Jonathan Plum. The record has earned raves, including one from KIRO Radio’s Lisa Brooks.
“I’ve never heard a singer with such pure tone,” she said. “I want to share his gifts with everyone.”
Dividing his time between Los Angeles and Seattle, Pearlman also performs with the Chelsea Royal, the William Close Earth Harp Collective and, for those who don’t mind getting up early on Sunday mornings, at Seattle’s Unity Church.
“What an amazing man he is,” said Welch, who first brought Pearlman to Vashon several years ago to sing at Island Earthfair. “He is fascinating and über-talented. This is going to be an evening that people will truly remember.”
For more information, visit www.rafepearlman, or search for his performances on YouTube.
Bluesman Sammy Eubanks plays a benefit
Award-winning bluesman Sammy Eubanks and his band will play a benefit for Vashon Community Care at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Red Bike.
Eubanks — who brings a mix of blues, traditional country and rock ‘n’ roll to his playing and vocals — has opened for major stars, including Clint Black, Lee Roy Parnell, Kenny Chesney, Merle Haggard, Sawyer Brown, Colt Ford, Pat Travers and BB King.
His music, concert organizers said, is inspired by an equally diverse list of artists, including Robert Cray, Little Ed and the Blues Imperials, George Strait and George Jones.
IndieMusic.com selected his album “Riding Alone” as its 2011 Editors Pick, and the Inland Empire Blues Society chose it as the best blues album that same year.
Tickets for Saturday’s show, $10, are on sale at Vashon Bookshop and Vashon Community Care.
