ROCK/POP
Son Volt
Great things were predicted for Jay Farrar after he and Jeff Tweedy disbanded the now-revered alt-country Uncle Tupelo back in '93. But Farrar's work — both solo and with Son Volt — became increasingly impressionistic and oddly insular, standing in stark contrast to Tweedy and Wilco's fearless experimentalism. With Okemah and the Melody of Riot, Farrar (and a wholly revamped Son Volt) is back in the game, tackling big topics of social unrest and personal disquiet with an emotional directness that packs a huge punch.
—Nicole Pensiero
Sat., Oct. 22, 7 p.m., $20, The Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 215-922-LIVE, www.thetroc.com.

JAZZ
Joseph Jarman/Chris Chalfant Duo
Despite the face paint and tribal gear, Joseph Jarman is often a more contemplative contrast to his shirt-and-tie clad Art Ensemble co-founder Roscoe Mitchell. The Zen monk spends almost as much time tinkling and chiming on his famed "little instruments" as he does actually playing the sax, so expect a less fire-breathing show from Jarman and pianist Chris Chalfant than Mitchell's out-playing fest earlier this month at I-House.
—Shaun Brady
Mon., Oct. 24, 8 p.m., free, Houston Hall, University of Pennsylvania, 3417 Spruce St., 215-898-4636, www.arsnovaworkshop.com.

SOUL/POP
Leela James
A singer-turned-track star-turned-singer again, Leela James burst on to what's left of the neo-soul movement with her June release of A Change Is Gonna Come (Warner). With Kayne West, Raphael Saadiq and James Poyser as producers, Ms. James seems to be on the fast track again.
—Deesha Dyer
Sat., Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m., $10, with Case of the Mondays, The Blue Method, Blue Sinatra and Curt Chambers, Grape Street Pub, 4100 Main St., 215-487-1226, www.grapestreet.com.

FOLK/POP
Tish Hinojosa
Austin-based singer-songwriter Tish Hinojosa — touring in support of her first studio album in five years, A Heart Wide Open (Valley) — is a word-of-mouth charmer whose songs (both English and Spanish) dip into prickly emotional depths while soaring on the power of her crystalline vocals. Onstage Hinojosa likes to work all the angles, from old Mexican waltzes, to crossover pop, to folk and Tejano. Whether alone or with a backing musician or two, she does indeed sing with her heart wide open.
—Nicole Pensiero
Thu., Oct. 20, 8:30 p.m., $16, Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St., 215-928-0770, www.tinangel.com.

JAZZ
Taylor Ho Bynum Sextet
Amidst the ongoing anniversary celebrations for the AACM, along comes one of the organization's leading spiritual progeny. Trumpeter Taylor Ho Bynum shares the group's divided fidelities between free improvisation and modern composition. He has managed to keep pace with his mentor, Anthony Braxton, on duet and group outings, and just released a disc of compositions for his SpiderMonkey Strings ensemble.
—Shaun Brady
Thu., Oct. 20, 8 p.m., free, The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., www.arsnovaworkshop.com.

FOLK
Joan Baez
If her recent live album, Bowery Songs (Koch), wasn't enough proof that her voice is still lovely, and if her presence at Camp Casey wasn't enough proof of her continuing commitment to peace, and if her contribution to No Direction Home wasn't enough proof of her grasp of discretion and candor, Joan Baez has already paid far more than her share.
—M.J.Fine
Fri., Oct. 21, 8 p.m., $35-$45, Keswick Theatre, Easton Rd. and Keswick Ave., Glenside, 215-572-7650, www.keswicktheatre.com.