NATHANIEL RATELIFF The title “In Memory of Loss,’’ this singer-songwriter’s beautifully understated new debut on Rounder, has a wistful ring to it, but it turns out Rateliff wrote some of the songs to impress a woman. It worked: They’re married now. Mostly acoustic and unadorned, his new album ebbs and flows with a quiet grace reminiscent of Tim Hardin; the same could be said of opener JBM, the one-man project of Jesse Marchant. 9 p.m. June 1. $10. Middle East Upstairs. 617-864-3278. www.ticketmaster.com
Week ahead
MUSIC
NATHANIEL RATELIFF The title “In Memory of Loss,’’ this singer-songwriter’s beautifully understated new debut on Rounder, has a wistful ring to it, but it turns out Rateliff wrote some of the songs to impress a woman. It worked: They’re married now. Mostly acoustic and unadorned, his new album ebbs and flows with a quiet grace reminiscent of Tim Hardin; the same could be said of opener JBM, the one-man project of Jesse Marchant. 9 p.m. June 1. $10. Middle East Upstairs. 617-864-3278. www.ticketmaster.com
POP & ROCK
SHARON JONES AND THE DAP-KINGS It’s been a good few years for Jones and her classic soul band as critical acclaim has begun to translate into commercial good fortune. Go get sweaty with the gang as they promote their latest album, “I Learned the Hard Way.’’ 7 p.m. May 27. $20-$30. House of Blues. 800-745-3000. www.ticketmaster.com
GREG LASWELL A singer-songwriter of contemplative tales of mistakes and heartaches, Laswell can go from sweet pop croons to big rock moves in a single bound as evidenced on his sophomore album, “Take a Bow.’’ 9 p.m. May 27. $15. Paradise. 800-745-3000. www.livenation.com
TRAMPLED BY TURTLES Vibrant indie newgrassers who take the form seriously — complete with furious fiddling, intricate picking, and high lonesome harmonies — but wisely keep a sense of humor about themselves. 8 p.m. May 27. $10. Middle East. 800-745-3000. www.ticketmaster.com
TOOTS & THE MAYTALS With a name like Toots it’s hard to go wrong. And the reggae legend rarely does, ratcheting up the joy, pain, and intensity with his deep catalog of classic hits spanning his 45-year career. 8 p.m. May 30. $25-$35. House of Blues. 800-745-3000. www.ticketmaster.com SARAH RODMAN
FOLK, WORLD & COUNTRY
CAMPFIRE Now a Memorial Day weekend tradition, Club Passim’s marathon campfire festival stretches from Friday to Monday, with several artists often performing in the round. A solid spotlight for local talent, this year’s edition includes diverse highlights such as Bhi Bhiman’s soulful folk (Friday, 7:30 p.m.), the lively Mexican-Americana fusion of rising stars the David Wax Museum (Sunday, 11:15 p.m.), and Manners’ psychedelic soundscapes (Monday, 7:15 p.m.) Various showtimes. May 28-31. $10 day pass, $30 weekend pass. Club Passim. 617-492-7679. www.clubpassim.com
PETER ROWAN A Boston boy who first cut his teeth as a member of Bill Monroe’s band in the mid-1960s, Rowan has carved out an eclectic career during which he’s dabbled in everything from progressive bluegrass and country to Tex-Mex and reggae. His Johnny D’s show should make for an intimate (and sold-out) homecoming. 8 p.m. June 1. $15. Johnny D’s. 617-776-2004. www.johnnyds.com JAMES REED
JAZZ, BLUES & CABARET
LASZLO GARDONY QUARTET FEATURING STAN STRICKLAND Two of our most lyrical improvisers — pianist Gardony and saxophonist, flutist, and vocalist Strickland — reunite for an evening of Gardony compositions and selected standards. 8 p.m. May 28. $15-$18. Amazing Things Arts Center, 55 Nicholas Road, Framingham. 508-405-2787, www.amazingthings.org
G. CALVIN WESTON: A TRIBUTE TO ORNETTE COLEMAN Weston has manned the drum chair for both Ornette Coleman’s Prime Time and the Lounge Lizards. Joining him for this tribute will be guitarist Ed Ricart, pianist Dave Bryant (also a Prime Time alum), local alto saxophone luminary Jim Hobbs, and bassist John Voigt. 8 p.m. May 31. $10. Outpost 186, 186 1/2 Hampshire St., Cambridge. 617-876-0860, www.zeitgeist-outpost.org
CLAIRE DICKSON The remarkably gifted, locally based 13-year-old singer just won the Downbeat Magazine Student Jazz Award for Junior High School jazz vocals. She’ll celebrate the win with this performance, accompanied by her trio of pianist Michael McLaughlin, bassist Greg Loughman, and drummer Eric Rosenthal. Just wait till you hear her scat! 8:30 p.m. June 1. $8 (students $5). Ryles, 212 Hampshire St., Cambridge. 617-876-9330, www.rylesjazz.com
MELODY GARDOT Still only in her early 20s, the haunting, smoky voiced singer-songwriter merges jazz, blues, and laid-back pop in a manner comparable to Norah Jones, but with far more depth. 8 p.m. June 2. $22-$29.50. Wilbur Theatre. 617-248-9700, www.thewilburtheatre.com KEVIN LOWENTHAL
CLASSICAL
BOSTON MODERN ORCHESTRA PROJECT Conductor Gil Rose leads the final concert of BMOP’s current season. It will feature works by Anthony DeRitis, Steven Stucky, Leon Kirchner, and Kati Agocs as well as Martin Boykan’s Symphony, with baritone Sanford Sylvan as soloist. 8 p.m. May 28. $10-$52. Jordan Hall. 617-585-1260, www.bmop.org
ROCKPORT CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL It could be a transformative summer for Rockport as it unveils its new seaside concert hall, the Shalin Liu Performance Center. The opening night concert features Copland’s “Appalachian Spring,’’ Wagner’s “Siegfried Idyll,’’ and the premiere of Scott Wheeler’s Piano Trio No. 4, “Granite Coast.’’ 7:30 p.m. June 10. Sold out. 37 Main St., Rockport. 978-546-7391, www.rockportmusic.org
CHORUS PRO MUSICA Under the direction of Betsy Burleigh, the chorus, vocal soloists, and guests, will perform Orff’s “Carmina Burana’’ and Dominic Argento’s “I Hate and I Love,’’ a setting of poetry by Gaius Catullus. 3 p.m. June 6. $27-$57. Jordan Hall. 800-658-4276, www.choruspromusica.org JEREMY EICHLER 
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