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Drummer Lucky Thompson, who leads the Tuesday jam session at Leroy’s Showcase Lounge

Jazz and more… Where I’ll be and where you should be…

MONDAY 12/22/08
O Come All Ye earSnake: earSnake Holiday Show
National Mechanics, 22 S. 3rd St.
This is what year-old, Philly-based label earSnake says about themselves: “With artists that delve into the styles of rock, soul, hip-hop, funk, electronic, folk and all the little sub-genres in between, there’s a certain thread than runs deep among all earSnake artists.” It’s really true. Maybe it’s a thread of mischief? Not sure, but give a listen to their holiday/winter mix on their website and you’ll hear why this show is one you should check out. Among the artists scheduled to perform are Gemini Wolf, Lillie Ruth Bussey (who has the coolest Myspace layout ever), and Carl Franke.
9 p.m., FREE

TUESDAY 12/23/08
Lucky Thompson & the Budesa Brothers’ Blue Tuesday Open Mic & Jam Session
Leroy’s Showcase Lounge, 4912 Baltimore Ave.
Veteran drummer Lucky Thompson has played with greats like Nina Simone and Patti LaBelle during his long career and led jam sessions all over the city (including at Natalie’s Lounge, where he was the music director for more than 10 years). Lucky and brothers Rich Budesa on keys and Rob Budesa on guitar are single-handedly keeping Philly’s great organ trio tradition alive. If you haven’t heard them play at the Showcase, a neighborhood bar with a friendly staff and a welcoming vibe, then you’re missing out on an essential part of Philly’s jazz scene.
8 p.m., FREE

WEDNESDAY 12/24/08
Christmas Eve… Take the night off.

THURSDAY 12/25/08
Ninjakeys Kosher Christmas Jamboree
Tritone, 1508 South St.
According to Craigslist, this Christmas night party will include the Spades and Elliott Levin.
8:30 p.m., FREE

FRIDAY 12/26/08
Shades of Blue
LaRose Jazz Club, 5531 Germantown Ave.
Come on all you Center City and South Philly people… Germantown isn’t really that far. And it’s well worth the trip to hear one of the best blues singers in the area, Donna Alexander of Chester’s Shades of Blue. This is the third in a new monthly series of blues shows at LaRose, co-hosted by Aqueelah Jamal of 900AM-WURD and yours truly. Check it out.
8 p.m., $10

SATURDAY 12/27/08
Orrin Evans
Ortlieb’s, 847 N. 3rd St.
Pianist Orrin Evans came of age in Philly in the late “Ëœ80s and early “Ëœ90s, and he’s been making the city proud ever since, playing with the likes of Pharoah Sanders, Branford Marsalis, and Nicholas Payton. I’m not sure who’ll be playing with him tonight, but you should jump at this opportunity to hear him in an intimate space like Ortlieb’s.
8 p.m., call club for cover charge

SUNDAY 12/28/08
Sci Fi Philly
Gojjo Ethiopian Restaurant & Bar, 4540 Baltimore Ave.
Sci Fi Philly, the weekly jazz & experimental music series run by Dan Scofield, Jon Barrios, and Stephen Buono, sometimes seems like a sadly novel concept: live music in a bar presented by music lovers for music lovers. Sunday night no longer feels right without it. This week’s lineup is Viperax (Nick Millevoi on guitar, Dan Pell on drums, and Barrios on bass), README (Jack Wright on alto, Barrios on cello, and Dawn Webster on trumpet), and el. (Tim Albro on electronics).
9 p.m., $5

Lucky Old Souls is my weekly web radio show”¦ 2 hours of jazz, blues, pop standards, early rock & roll, soul, and more, plus occasional guests from Philly’s music scene. I don’t get too hung up on genre distinctions on the show, and my music picks reflect the same spirit. Listen live every Tuesday from 2-4 P.M. on gtownradio.com, or visit myspace.com/luckyoldsouls for free downloads of past shows.