Peter Sprague

The Peter Sprague Quintet at San Diego Botanic Garden

July 25

The Summer Nights series presents jazz guitarist Peter Sprague, who was eight when his family moved from Cleveland to Del Mar. He picked up the guitar at age 12, and studied with San Diego jazz guitarist Bill Coleman before going on to become one of the city’s most respected players. Joined by his own band along with guest vocalist Allison Adams Tucker, Sprague’s concert will feature interpretations of the music of Paul Simon.

Nights Like Thieves

Nights Like Thieves at House Of Blues

July 26

On recent tracks like “A Toast To New Beginnings,” Nights Like Thieves is making music that combines upbeat and slower rhythms with emotional melodies. They recently dropped a new music video for “These Days,” and another for “Sorry,” which is also available as a video featuring an acoustic rendition. The bill will be headlined by Thomas Nicholas and includes local pop-punk trio Dresden’s Burning.

B-Side Players

B-Side Players at Belly Up Tavern

July 26

The B-Side Players were launched by Karlos Paez in 1994. Their songs are sung in English and Spanish, and their lyrics deal with social issues such as political corruption, racism, and the lives of undocumented workers. Singles like “Nuestras Demandas” reached number one on the Alternative Latino Singles Chart on iTunes, and they’ve won multiple San Diego Music Awards for Best World Album and Best World Music.

Travel Agents

The Travel Agents at Duck Foot Brewing

July 27

Largely influenced by the psychedelic sounds of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, the Travel Agents’ music has evolved into a mix of danceable rock and roll and good-time originals. The group’s genesis dates back to 1986 jam gigs, though they didn’t debut as the Travel Agents as we currently know them until around 1990. Thanks to opening for headline acts such as Spirit, they’ve become a top attraction on the jam band circuit.

Gary Wilson

Gary Wilson & the Blind Dates at Whistle Stop Bar

July 28

The documentary film You Think You Really Know Me: The Gary Wilson Story, details the life of the eccentric indie-punk pioneer best known for his highly sought 1977 LP You Think You Really Know Me. Beck mentioned his name in 1996’s “Where It’s At” (“Passin’ the dutchie from coast to coast, like my man Gary Wilson rocks the most”). He just released a new album in May via Cleopatra Records, A Beautiful Bliss.