Sound check: Ramsey Lewis’ launches new streaming jazz series this week

Jazz legend Lewis

Contemporary jazz just got a little more modern. Grammy-winning Chicago icon Ramsey Lewis is back on the streams after his popular 2020 livestreaming salon series, with a regular monthly show on the last Saturday of every month this year. Each performance is built around a theme — Love Notes this weekend, “West Side Story” and Other Stories of Love Feb. 27, Songs from the In Crowd, Beatles, funk, holidays and more — and a portion of the $20 admission will benefit The Jazz Foundation of America. Season passes for all the shows are available for purchase for $200 through Saturday, Jan. 30. 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30; $20 on stageit.com/ramseylewis.

Matthew Kopecky solo

If you missed Warrenville alt-rock artist Matthew Kopecky’s full-band EP release show but are looking forward to hearing the new tunes, you’re in luck. This week he’s jamming a solo set, which will be livestreamed from West suburban The Bunker. Catch the rest of the unreleased tracks (and selections from his full catalog) before the “Home Cooked” release next week. 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28; streaming free on YouTube

Idol on ‘tour’

After sweeping through the seventh season of “American Idol” in 2008, singer David Cook found a bigger stage for his post-grunge and alternative rock signature sound. Now a Platinum-selling artist with four studio albums and some international touring under his belt, Cook wants to play for you. Join him for a 30-minute set from his “The David Cook Online World Tour 2021: … Another One” Saturday. 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30; pay what you can at stageit.com.

Tim McGraw tribute

Tim McGraw fans can get their fix when the country tribute act Vegas McGraw hits the Afterlife Music Hall at BrauerHouse this weekend. Schaumburg-based country act Smokin Gunz opens the evening, which will be livestreamed from the Lombard venue. Tickets for socially distanced, in-person seating are also available. 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30; $25 for the livestream concert, ticket info available at brauerhouse.com.

Thundering Celtics

Celtic Thunder brings the brash, spirited glory of Irish music directly to your home with a midweek livestreaming performance next Tuesday. Members of the long-running group will perform folk songs from their Celtic heritage, along with more contemporary hits, show tunes and classical favorites in an hourlong event. 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2; $15 on stageit.com.

Doughty goes Vroom

Former Soul Coughing frontman Mike Doughty has been rather prolific the last two decades as a solo artist (think “I Hear the Bells,” and if you don’t know it, you should!), but the draw of band life pulled him back. Catch him and his newest project Ghost of Vroom as they — Andrew “Scrap” Livingston, Madden “Lil Pepper” Klass and Logan Hanna — stream an improvised rock set from Memphis Magnetic Recording Company. 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4; $10 (or free for Doughty’s Patreon fans) at go.seated.com.

• Brian Shamie is a Daily Herald multiplatform editor and local music junkie. Email him at bshamie@dailyherald.com, find him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter (@thatshamieguy) or Instagram (@chicagosoundcheck).

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