A world of influences

Taj Mahal has been all over the world in his more than 40 years of writing and playing music, and he's picked up a little something from everywhere. You can hear it in his upcoming disc, "Maestro," a collection that moves from stomping blues like "Diddy Wah Diddy" and "TV Mama" to the reggae of "Black Man, Brown Man" with equal passion and conviction. The album, due out Sept. 30, features guests and admirers like Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, Los Lobos, and Ziggy Marley. You can hear Mahal tonight at 7:30 with his trio at the Lowell Summer Music Series. $25. 7:30 p.m. Boarding House Park, 40 French St., Lowell. 978-970-5200. www.lowellsummermusic.org [N. Z.]