Celebrating their fifteenth anniversary, the Buffalo native band Soldier Sol will be performing tonight, (Thursday, March 22) at Club W starting at 9pm. The veteran band has kept the same four members during its long career, which is pretty rare in the music business. After changing the name to KPG for the past decade, Soldier Sol has decided to resurrect its original name in honor of its long history together. The special chemistry they possess gives them the kind of stage presence and confidence that allows their soulful-side to shine through. There is a raw, bluesy feel that shows the influence of classic rock artists such as Jimi Hendrix. This is a refreshing taste of music coming from a group of individuals who love the Buffalo music scene and hope to contribute to its continuing growth

Pokey Joe’s Club Bar plays host to Michael Campagna & The Average Johnsons this Friday (March 23) and again two weeks later on Friday (April 6), at 7:30pm both nights. Campagna, a Buffalo native now living in LA, has lined up a bunch of ringers including Steve Sadoff, Ron Davis and John Bacon Jr. to perform the soul-funk-blues songs from the recent Average Johnsons release entitled 5 1⁄2”. This limited engagement is a great chance to check out the new material—much of it co-written with ace drummer Gary Mallabar. Guests include Dolly Durante on March 23, and Willie Schoellkopf on April 6.

Like many bands trying to carve out a niche in a world full of already spoken-for ideas and concepts, Free Henry emerges as an up-and-coming rock band whose style infuses elements of acoustic rock, jazz, and blues harmony with a sound that is uniquely theirs. Originally crafted lyrics by singer/songwriter and guitarist Bob Buckley puts Free Henry outside the norm, as they lay a basic foundation of melodies and add layer upon layer of new-age sounds. This young quartet loves to jam, and their diverse compositions display their intricate and dynamic groove. They have an all-age appeal, and the excitement is contagious. The show takes place on Friday (March 23) at Niagara University’s Gallagher Center, starting at 8pm

Upon celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, The Samples are bringing their act to Buffalo! It would be an understatement to say this band has experienced great success over the past two decades, having released upwards of eighteen albums. Despite the extraordinarily complex and frankly amazing studio albums they have recorded over the years, The Samples are known worldwide for their live shows. After all these years, they continue to sell out large venues, and still have die-hard fans following them show-to-show. What’s the secret to their success? Fundamentally sound, complex music combined with improvisation that often gets them compared to The Grateful Dead. You can be the judge when The Samples’ Rehearsing for Life Tour comes to the Town Ballroom on Saturday (March 24). Doors open at 8pm

It’s that time of year again, when an idiot wind blows through Allentown and the familiar strains of a legendary songwriter’s greatest hits emanate from within the walls of Nietzsche’s, home to the 19th annual “Bob Dylan Imitator’s Contest.” Presented by Michael Meldrum and The Buffalo Song Project, this year’s event boasts a panel of eight illustrious judges and many more performers all attempting to do justice to the great musician. The contest takes place next Thursday (March 29), with contestant sign-up from 7pm and music getting underway at 8pm. The contest entry fee is $5, a small price to pay for the cash prizes, giveaways, and glory that will be bestowed upon the lucky winner(s)