Sound Menu February 27 2002 Wed

JACK INGRAM, DEMOLITION STRING BAND — One of the pioneers in the new generation of Texas acts, Ingram manages to avoid the pandering obviousness of his peer, Pat Green, with better material and a great voice. Hoboken’s Demolition String Band are the pride of New York’s alt-country scene, performing and promoting real country music shows throughout the boroughs. Smith’s Olde Bar (J. Kelly)

STEVE JAMES — Mixing originals with his encyclopedic knowledge of Americana’s roots, Steve James (a contributing editor to Acoustic Guitar magazine) picks a lively combination of hillbilly, blues and folk on banjo, mandolin and guitar with jaw-dropping technical prowess. Blind Willie’s (Horowitz)

KEITH JARRETT TRIO FEATURING GARY PEACOCK AND JACK DEJOHNETTE — Pianist Jarrett, bassist Peacock and drummer/percussionist DeJohnette fully explore the improvisational potential of jazz in a trio setting. Originally inspired by Bill Evans and others, Jarrett worked with Art Blakey, Miles Davis and the Charles Lloyd Quartet before setting out on his own in the late ’60s. Fans are divided over whether his trio is at its best addressing “great American songbook” and bebop standards or performing less familiar originals that have the potential to be more discordant. Symphony Hall (Powell)

TOP-OF-THE-TREE FINALS — The Wood, The Craze and Slangbanger go head-to-head in the final round of the fourth Top-of-the-Tree band battle at CJ’s. The winner gets studio time at Tree Sound, Mars Music gift certificates and other fabulous prizes. 99X’s Steve Craig hosts. CJ’s Landing (Sarig)