A jazzy draw

Courtyard sounds: If you haven’t felt ready to commit the funds to a concert at Mondavi Center’s Jackson Hall, note that there are other ways to enjoy the performing arts center’s programming.

One of those is the Mondavi Center’s Corin Courtyard. The early, 6:30 p.m. concerts are not only free, but they are located in a prime outdoor event space, replete with a wine and beer bar, food truck, ample shade and a marvelous sound system.

Sacramento’s own jazz songstress Vivian Lee recently held court on the stage with her able quartet and played a set of her own tunes as well as songs from Antônio Carlos Jobim, Dave Brubeck, Rodgers & Hammerstein and more.

Lee’s quartet delighted fans and newcomers alike with a set that didn’t leave anybody feeling left out. Major props for the inclusion of older fare like “The Surrey with the Fringe on Top” and “Take Five.”

Lee looked aglow this particular evening, often starting songs with her lone finger snaps. Her band of seasoned musicians also added their own special swing and jazz elements. Of worthy mention was drummer Jeff Minnieweather, who played with such dynamics and finesse, one couldn’t help but stare in awe—or, as others demonstrated, film a video.

Many might assume playing an outdoor show is risky with this region’s frequent weather changes. Instead, it proved to be the perfect precursor to the later Jackson Hall show with jazz diva Cécile McLorin Salvant. It drew quite a large crowd. Not only was every table and seat taken, but many others improvised to find a good view, even taking over a staircase.

There’s just one more Corin Courtyard show until the 2016-17 season. It’s Sacramento’s indie-pop violinist Joe Kye, who will perform on Wednesday, May 11, leading into an evening with classical cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

My only critique of the outdoor series? Book more. Book lots more.

—Eddie Jorgensen

No one shows up for Satan: Ground Chuck looked at the bread-like pieces of white whatever on a platter placed midstage. He gestured to the band onstage, Adeptus, then grabbed some of the stuff and started to chew after shouting “Communion for Satan!”

That was just about the vibe at the stacked black metal lineup Starlite Lounge hosted last Sunday night. Adeptus and Defecrator, the two area acts on the bill, did good work priming the crowd of maybe 15 people for Voices of Ruin and Ritual, one of the earliest American black metal bands.

Defecrator’s professional stage presence and aggressive bestial attack proved again that it may be the best local option for black metal right now—or the most profane and Satanic option, at very least.

And while turnout was far too low for such a good lineup, at least the people who did come, like Ground Chuck, were excited to be there. Props to all of the bands for having a blast even when nobody shows.

Foreign dispatch: Chrch recently returned from a European tour that culminated in playing Roadburn Festival, a huge metal fest in the Netherlands featuring Converge, Cult of Luna, Blood Ceremony, Beastmaker, Mondo Drag and far too many other incredible bands. Word is that while Chrch played a smaller stage at a capacity of somewhere near 300, people had to be turned away because so many wanted to see a Sacramento band do its doomy thing. The band will tour again soon with Dopethrone (but will not hit Sac) and then duck into the studio to write a new record—so don’t expect to see a local show for quite some time.

—Anthony Siino

Hey Jude: The first concert at the Golden 1 Center will be the one and only Sir Paul McCartney.

He brings his One on One tour—and his first local gig in more than 10 years—to the upcoming Sacramento Kings arena on Tuesday, October 4. Tickets go on sale Friday, May 6, at 10 a.m. More at www.golden1center.com.

—Janelle Bitker