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.

POP

Mike Doughty's Band: Not nearly as sour as in his days fronting Soul Coughing, Doughty's cleaned up his personal act and aiming for broader appeal with light-hearted singalongs like "27 Jennifers," off his new "Golden Delicious" album. Fillmore at TLA, 334 South St., 9 tonight, $20, 215-336-2000, www.livenation.com.

Tower of Power/Average White Band: Stars of the '70s, these horn-fueled funk-rock bands share a stage so often they'd probably feel lost without the other. So would fans. Keswick Theatre, Easton Road and Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 8 tonight and tomorrow, $40, 215-572-7650, www.keswicktheatre.com.

Tristan Prettyman: She's as attractive as her name, with a sultry, easy-going folk- and blues-tinged style in the vein of her surfing buddy Jack Johnson. And glory be, Tristan's sophomore album is better than its predecessor. Whitley opens. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7:30 tonight, $15, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Saul Williams: Righteously indignant but also up for revelry, Williams answers to the callings of poet, rapper, singer, actor and preacher. You loved his starring role in the film "Slam." Also arguing to his versatility, the musician opened for Nine Inch Nails. Trent Reznor then produced his most recent, online-only album, "The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust!" Also on the bill, Dragons of Zynth and Phil Moore Browne. Trocadero, 10th and Arch streets, 8 tonight, $15, 215-922-LIVE, thetroc.com.

David Grisman Quintet: He's the father of "dawg" music, that sharp-toothed mongrel mix of bluegrass and swing jazz. Mandolin master Grisman's jamtastic band this time features noted jazz guitarist Frank Vignola. Sellersville Theater, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville, 6:30 and 9:30 tonight, $39.50, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com.

Jann Klose: Ear-grabbing pop singer-songwriter has a confident yet gentle voice, with tints of soul gospel and Afropop rhythms. The latter reflects his childhood in Nairobi, Kenya and South Africa. Another quality pop talent, Alex Nackman, shares the bill. Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd St. 7:30 tonight, $10, 215-928-0770, tinangel.com.

Harvey Holiday's Show & Dance: Oldies man brings on Little Isidore and the Inquisitors, a "long lost" vocal dynamo with support troupe that includes four more singers and a six-piece band. Also on the bill (wonder where they're from?), The Norristones. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, $40-$60, 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.

Superdrag: Knoxville-based but British-influence '90s power-pop breakouts still haven't "Sucked Out the Feeling." Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9 p.m. tomorrow, $20, 866-468-7619, r5productions.com.

Jerry Blavat's Doo Wop Reunion: The Geator brings a really good show this time - putting "Tears on My Pillow" with Little Anthony and the Imperials, blowing out "Sixteen Candles" with Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge, "Looking for an Echo" with Kenny Vance and the Planatones and crooning "Sincerely" with Harvey Fuqua of the Moonglows. Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Broad and Spruce streets, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, $41-$81, 215-893-1999, www.kimmelcenter.org.

Nada Surf: Out promoting their fifth album, "Lucky," this seasoned power-pop trio continues to balance bittersweet lyrics with rousing tunes. Show openers: Illinois. Trocadero, 10th and Arch streets, 7 p.m. Sunday, $15, 215-922-LIVE, www.thetroc.com.

Dr. John/Rebirth Brass Band: One of the saints of the New Orleans progressive R&B music scene shares the stage with some of the city's finest second-line strutters. Electric Factory, 7th and Willow streets, 8 p.m. Sunday, $35, 215-336-2000, www.livenation.com.

Richard Julian: It's easy to see why Julian connects so well with Norah Jones, his co-vocalist in the Little Willies. Both love wry, down-home-Texas shuffles and sensitive, New-York-themed singer-songwriter confessionals. Julian, from Arden, Del., returns with a new CD, "Sunday Morning In Saturday's Shoes." His producer project, Sasha Dobson, shares the bill. Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd St., 7 p.m. Sunday, $12, 215-928-0770, www.tinangel.com.

The Angel Band: Delaware chicks - lead singer/songwriter Nancy Josephson, Kathleen Weber and Jen Schonwald - put a Northeast twist on conscious country and folk. And the backing band, featuring Nancy's hubby David Bromberg, ain't shabby neither. Expect previews from their May release on Appleseed, "With Roots & Wings." Upstairs at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 8 p.m. Sunday , $15, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Bob Beach Trio: Noted harmonica and flute player teams with classically trained double bass and percussion players Dave and Angie Nelson for Philadelphia Folksong Society event. Commodore Barry Club, Carpenter and Emlen streets, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, $10 non-members, 215-247-1300, www.pfs.org.

China Forbes: You know her as the voice of neo- cabaret darlings Pink Martini. Dare we say we like China's singer-songwriter-styled solo material even more? World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 8 p.m. Wednesday, $23-$35, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

The Greyboy Allstars: Band fronted by Karl Denson and Robert Walker mixes soul, jazz and hip-hop beats. Will tunes like "What Happened to Television" persuade you to leave yours to come hear them? Pete Francis (of Dispatch fame) is special guest opener. Fillmore at TLA, 334 South St. 8 p.m. Wednesday, $25, 215-336-2000, www.livenation.com.

ALTERNATIVE

Duke Spirit: Mesmerizing London quintet channels PJ Harvey and Mazzy Star. With Christopher Tucker. North Star Bar, 27th and Poplar, 9 tonight, $10, 215-684-0808, www.northstarbar.com.

Get Positively Sick on South Street: Rock-'n'-roll monthly features ex-Electric Love Muffin Rich Kaufmann fronting the power-pop of Foxycontin, Jersey surf-punks the Jacks and the excellent Canine 10, who are reminiscent of the Buzzcocks and the Undertones. Tritone, 1508 South St., 9 tonight, $6, 215-545-0475, www.tritonebar.com.

Hell Under The El: Friends of Philly, punk bluesmen Sioux City Pete & the Beggars were robbed at a Minnesota date. Support them with two dates here: 9 tonight at El Bar (Front and Master streets, $7, 215-634-6430) with Son of a Gun, Blessed Muthas and Feathertops; and 9:30 p.m. tomorrow at Diner at the Plaza (Front Street and Snyder Avenue, $5, all ages, 215-755-7899) with Whiskey Livin' and the Car Thieves.

Benefit for Pedal Co-Op: March Hare, Sonic Liberation Front and the Notekillers fill out an eclectic bill that supports Pedal Co-Op, an organization that transports recycling by bicycle. Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $5-$10, all ages, 215-573-3234, www.pedalcoop.org.

Mohawk Feathered Cheesesteaks: Philadelphia Film Festival post-party includes the South Philadelphia String Band, Corn Mo, .357 Lover, Trixie Little & the Evil Hate Monkey, the Ghouls and, of course, free cheesesteaks. Trocadero, 10th and Arch streets, 9 p.m. tomorrow, $5, festival attendees free, 215-922-LIVE, www.thetroc.com.

Benni E: Friend of gay rap duo Sgt. Sass celebrates her mix-tape release at queer dance party Make Yr Break. Bubble House, 3404 Sansom St., 10 p.m. tomorrow, $5, 215-243-0804, www.myspace.com/makeyrbreak.

Casiotone for the Painfully Alone: Owen Ashworth is the man behind the heartbreak beats. You'll dig it if you like early Magnetic Fields or Postal Service. Wire magazine fave Clue to Kalo opens. First Unitarian Church Chapel, 2125 Chestnut St., 8 p.m. Sunday, $10, all ages, 267-765-5210, www.r5productions.com.

Philadelphia Film Festival Closing Night Bash: Trixie Little & the Evil Hate Monkey host an evening with Philly's cabaret community (including members of Peekaboo Revue). Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 10 p.m. Sunday, $5, festival attendees free, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

Fool's Gold/Dim Mak Records Tour: Dim Mak is the label that brought you Bloc Party. Former label head turned superstar DJ Steve Aoki is touring with Kanye West's DJ A-Trak, Sinden (remixer of Bjork and Santogold) and Sammy Bananas. Barbary, Frankford Avenue and Columbus Boulevard, 9 p.m. Sunday, $10, 267-765-5210, www.r5productions.com.

Carla Bozulich: Haunting, whiskey-voiced singer from the Geraldine Fibbers now plays with members of Godspeed You Black Emperor. First Unitarian Church Chapel, 2125 Chestnut St., 8 p.m. Tuesday, $10, all ages, 267-765-5210, r5productions.com.

Autechre: Massively influential UK electronic composers make a rare U.S. appearance with new music on Warp Records. With Massonix (Bjork producer Graham Massey of 808 State) and Gescom/Skam label founder Rob Hall. Transit, 6th and Spring Garden streets, 8 p.m. Wednesday, $20, all ages, 267-765-5210, www.r5productions.com.

The Epochs: Brooklyn buzz band is drawing comparisons to Radiohead and TV on the Radio. Khyber, 56 S. 2nd St., 8 p.m. Wednesday, $8, 215-238-5888, www.thekhyber.com.

Lez Zeppelin: All-female Led Zeppelin tribute band takes on the golden gods and wins. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7:30 p.m. Thursday, $19-$24, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Dead Meadow: Heavy D.C. psych band returns with new music from "Old Growth." Philly Anglophiles the Three 4 Tens open, with The Shirks. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9 p.m. Thursday, $9, 215-739-9684, johnnybrendas.com.

Scream Club: Queer rap duo from Olympia heads up a fantastically fun bill with new wave/dance band Gang, Sgt. Sass, faux German rapper MC Digga and Beating Hearts. Millcreek Tavern, 4200 Chester Ave., 8 p.m. Thursday, $8, 215-222-1255, millcreektavernphilly.com.

Bob Marley Tribute: Fitting, especially given the death this week of Marley's mother, Cedella. Johnny T's Bob Marley Tribute Band will undoubtedly give a stirring performance. The Reflex Band opens. North By Northwest, 7165 Germantown Ave., 8:30 tonight, 215-248-1000, www.nxnwphl.com.

Zodiac: Aries Edition: Nothing like a birthday celebration to grab an audience's attention. This set, free for all Aries, features DJs Roxy and Nex Millen. Invited DJs Mr. Mike and T.O. Double-D will spin up a fair share of classics as well. Mars Five hosts. Medusa Lounge, 27 S. 21st. St., 10 tonight, $5, 215-557-1981, www.medusalounge.com.

Boys vs. Girls: Really, they like each other, but that may change after this tag-team affair pitting Reef the Lost Cauze and producer/DJ Stress against the ill team of DJ Ultraviolet and rhymer Ethel Cee. Knowing all involved, there will be no hard feelings afterwards. A good time should be had by all. Silk City, 5th and Spring Garden streets, 9 p.m. Wednesday, $5, 215-592-8838.

JAZZ

Elio Villafranca: Cuban-born pianist has ramped up his visits here of late, after a too-long dry spell in the city he once called home. He's brought different line-ups, including a classical/jazz hybrid and an all-star band but this time leads his own group through a set of his intelligent, Afro-Cuban tinged tunes. Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th Street and Ben Franklin Parkway, 5:45 and 7:15 tonight, free with regular museum admission of $14, 215-763-8100, philamuseum.org.

Gerald Veasley: One of Philly's own, bassist straddles the straight-ahead, soul and smooth jazz worlds without turning any fans away - no small feat. He's also a WJJZ-FM DJ and is celebrating the release of his latest CD, "Your Move." Warmdaddy's, 1400 Columbus Blvd., 8 and 10 tonight and tomorrow, $20, 215-462-2000, www.warmdaddys.com.

The Tiptons Saxophone Quartet & Drums: Seattle-based, all-female sax foursome named themselves after Billy Tipton, a female big-band pianist who lived and worked as a man for 50 years. The group plays a meaty, melodious blend of ragged bop, Balkan, Latin and klezmer influences. They'll alternate sets with Philly sax mainstay Elliott Levin's Ensemble, with keyboardist Brian Marsella, bassist Jason Fraticelli and drummer Ed Watkins. Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom St., 9 p.m. Wednesday, $10, 215-568-3131, chrisjazzcafe.com.

CLASSICAL

Philadelphia Orchestra: Brazilian-born conductor Roberto Minczuk fills in for the ailing Vladimir Jurowski. The program of music from the film "2001: A Space Odyssey" remains, with the added listing of the lustrous Brahms Violin Concerto with Nikolaj Znaider as soloist. Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, 8 tonight and tomorrow, $38-$113, 215-893-1999, www.philorch.org.

Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia: Dirk Brosse takes over the podium for two classics from the Second Viennese School: Schoenberg's Suite for String Orchestra and his chamber adaptation of Mahler's song cycle "Das Lied von der Erde" ("The Song of the Earth"). Mezzo Mary Ann McCormick and tenor Jason Collins solo. Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, 7:30 tonight, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, $36-$81, 215-893-1999, www.chamberorchestra.org.

Lenape Chamber Ensemble: Pool of excellent musicians wraps its Bucks County series with a Haydn String Quartet (Op. 17/6), Chausson's Op. 30 Piano Quartet and Bruch's Eight Pieces for clarinet, viola and piano. Upper Tinicum Lutheran Church, Jugtown Hill Road and Upper Tinicum Church Road, Upper Black Eddy, 8:15 tonight; and Delaware Valley College, routes 202 and 611, Doylestown, 3 p.m. Sunday; $15, 610-294-9361, www.lenapechamberensemble.org.

Chamber Music Now: Works by Gene Coleman, Richard Belcastro, Stratis Minakakis and Paul Epstein receive their commissioned premieres by this four-piece ensemble, with collaborative texts for each piece presented by actors. Philadelphia Ethical Society, 1906 Rittenhouse Square, 8 tonight and tomorrow, $15, 215-605-9988, www.chambermusicnow.org.

Gillian Weir: Famed Dame Gillian performs an organ recital on the Kimmel's mighty Fred J. Cooper instrument, with mostly unfamiliar pieces by Jongen, Franck, Eben, Peeters, Lanquetuit and Brahms. Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, 3 p.m. tomorrow, $19-$28, 215-893-1999, www.kimmelcenter.org.

Lyric Fest: Vocal series offers works by composers associated with Philadelphia, including Samuel Barber, Leonard Bernstein and a premiere by Nicholas White. Six guest artists and the motet choir of the Pennsylvania Girlchoir team up with the core artists for this fifth-season wrap. Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill, 8855 Germantown Ave., 3 p.m. tomorrow; and First Presbyterian Church, 21st and Walnut streets, 3 p.m. Sunday, $20, 215-432-5946, lyricfest.org.

Orchestra 2001: James Freeman leads three superb French works: Honegger's stirring Second Symphony for strings and trumpet, Milhaud's jazzy "The Creation of the World," plus Dutilleux's "Mysteres de l'instant." Violinist Maria Bachmann is soloist in the world premiere of Jay Reise's Concerto for violin and chamber orchestra, subtitled "The River Within." Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, 8 p.m. tomorrow, $32; and Lang Concert Hall, Swarthmore College, 500 College Ave., Swarthmore, 7:30 p.m. Sunday; free, 215-922-2190, www.orchestra2001.org.

Choral Society of Montgomery County: Louis Scaglione leads his forces in the Everest of all choral music, the monumental Mass in B Minor by Bach. Montgomery County Community College, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell, 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, $15, 215-641-6518, www.mc3.edu.

Opera Company of Philadelphia: Soprano Christine Goerke stars in the title role of Bellini's bel canto gem "Norma," with an excellent cast of tenor Philip Webb, mezzo Kristine Jepson and local bass Eric Owens. Corrado Rovaris conducts, with staging by Kay Walker Castaldo. Academy of Music, Broad and Locust streets, 2:30 p.m. Sunday and April 20, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and 8 p.m. April 18, $22.50-$115, 215-893-1999, www.operaphilly.com.

Richard Woodhams and Friends: Philadelphia Orchestra's celebrated principal oboist plays a tribute to local composer George Rochberg and others. The program includes music for solo oboe and for string quartet. Van Pelt Auditorium, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, $20, 215-235-7469, www.philamuseum.org.

Jan Vogler and Louis Lortie: German cellist Vogler (playing a fabulous, 1721 Montagnana instrument) and Montreal-born pianist Lortie perform Sonatas by Beethoven (Op. 69) and Chopin (Op. 65), plus the late Toro Takemitsu's "Orion" and a transcription of Schumann's Fantasy Pieces for clarinet and piano. Independence Seaport Museum, Columbus Boulevard and Walnut Street, 3 p.m. Sunday, $22.50, 215-569-8080, pcmsconcerts.org.

Shmuel Ashkenasi and Meng-Chieh Liu: Violin-piano team, both members of the Curtis Institute faculty, offer an all-Schubert recital. The brilliant Liu, a winner of the Avery Fisher Career Grant and Musical Fund Society Career Award, will team with Ashkenasi in the "Duo" Sonata, D. 574 and the B Minor Rondo, D. 895, the "Rondeau brilliant." Cellist David Soyer joins them for the Trio No. 2, D. 929. Curtis Institute of Music, 1726 Locust St., 3 p.m. Sunday, $28, 215-893-7902, www.curtis.edu.

Center City Opera Theater: Peter Westergaard's chamber opera "The Always Present Present" receives a workshop production. Stay for the open discussion with composer, librettist Renee Weiss, conductor Andrew Kurtz, director Rhoda Levine and cast. Innovation Studio, Kimmel Center, 3 p.m. Sunday, $10, 215-893-1999, operatheater.org.

Artemis String Quartet: For its third local visit, German ensemble performs Quartets by Mozart, K. 589, and Tchaikovsky, Op. 22. Rare music by Stravinsky, his Three Movements and the Concertino for quartet, also graces the bill. Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, 8 p.m. Tuesday, $22.50, 215-569-8080, pcmsconcerts.org.

Dolce Suono: Flutist/founder Mimi Stillman's colleagues this time are Philadelphia Orchestra violinist Hirono Oka, pianist Jeremy Gill and baritone Daniel Lickteig, baritone. The program features American music, plus a world premiere by Gill of a song based on Poe's "Dreamland" for baritone, piccolo, violin and piano. On the instrumental side comes Nino Rota's Trio, Copland's Duo for Flute and Piano and Bernstein's Serenade for Violin and Piano. First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, free, 267-252-1803, www.dolcesuono.com.

Musicians From Marlboro: Six performers associated with the Vermont music camp perform the Britten Quartet No. 2, the Dvorak Op. 97 String Quintet and Mozart's K.407 Horn Quintet. Pennsylvania Convention Center, 13th and Cherry streets, 8 p.m. Thursday, $22.50, 215-569-8080, pcmsconcerts.org.

Philadelphia Orchestra: Benefit concert, "Hear O Israel - A Nation Celebrates in Harmony," honors the country's 60th birthday as John Axelrod conducts Bernstein's Third ("Kaddish") Symphony, featuring the Philadelphia Singers Chorale, American Boychoir and soprano Kelley Nassief. Plus Shimon Cohen's "Jerusalem Sketches" with a video presentation and narration by Samuel Pisar, and Paul Ben-Haim's "Fanfare for Israel." Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, 8 p.m. Thursday, $58-$113, 215-893-1999, www.jewishphilly.org.