This week, virtuoso harpist and bandleader Destiny Muhammad brings together jazz, improvisation and storytelling at the Stanford Jazz Festival; The Guild Theatre hosts the best country and bluegrass with Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives; Los Altos First Fridays makes the most of a warm summer night with live music on downtown Los Altos’ streets; and local author Janie Kim shares her debut novel at Linden Tree Books.
Destiny Muhammad Quartet
Award-winning virtuoso harpist, composer, bandleader, teaching artist and singer Destiny Muhammad’s performances bring together jazz, improvisation and storytelling. At her Stanford Jazz Festival concert, she’ll be joined by James Mahone on saxophone, Chico Lopez on bass and Leon Joyce Jr. on drums and percussion for a program that mixes jazz traditions and modern vibes, according to Stanford Jazz Workshop.
July 7, 7:30 p.m., Campbell Recital Hall, 541 Lasuen Mall, Stanford; $10-$47; stanfordjazz.org.
Los Altos First Fridays
Make the most of a warm summer evening and stroll the streets of downtown Los Altos at this monthly event featuring music and more. Catch performances by over a dozen local bands and musicians playing on downtown streets in front of restaurants and other businesses. Adding to the fun, Arts Los Altos offers a walking tour from 5 to 6 p.m. of the sculptures and murals it has placed in public spaces throughout downtown. Visitors can also drop by Gallery 9, which will be holding an opening reception from 5 to 8 p.m. for “Remarkable Creatures,” a show of photography by Bill Scull.
July 5, 6 p.m. in downtown Los Altos. losaltosfirstfriday.fun.
Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives
Longtime country and bluegrass star Marty Stuart has been strumming the mandolin and guitar since his childhood, playing with the likes of Lester Flatt and Johnny Cash, among others, over his decades-long career, in addition to releasing numerous albums. He’s coming to the Guild along with his band The Fabulous Superlatives. Hardcore fans can also spring for the VIP package ($204), which includes a premium seat, admission to a private pre-show event featuring a performance of two songs and a storytelling session with Stuart and the band and a poster. (As of press time, general admission, mezzanine, orchestra and ADA seating have a wait list, but check the Guild’s website for updates.)
July 7, 7 p.m., The Guild Theatre, 949 El Camino Real, Menlo Park; $50-$124 waitlisted; guildtheatre.com.
Janie Kim
Janie Kim’s debut novel “We Carry the Sea in Our Hands” follows Abby Rodier, a Korean orphan whose mother abandoned her as a baby and who went through the American foster care system before being taken in by her best friend Iseul’s family as a child. Abby is a scientist and makes a biological discovery that rocks her life. When a tragic event sends her spiraling, she must ultimately seek out her roots in order to better understand herself and her place in the world. Kim, who is a doctoral student in biology at Stanford University, will celebrate the book’s release in conversation with fellow author and Stanford grad student Kemi Ashing-Giwa (“The Splinter in the Sky”).
July 9, 7 p.m., Books Inc. Palo Alto, 855 El Camino Real #74; booksinc.net.
