Legend Brings All of Him to Byham; Jake Bugg Closes Arts Fest (CPs Sun., 6/15/14)

1) After nine Grammys and 10 years as a solo musician, John Legend finally scored his first number one single on the Billboard Hot 100 last year. The single, “All of Me,” comes from his fourth album, Love in the Future. Legend surely has been celebrating the hit, and he brings that celebration to the Byham Theater as part of his “The All of Me Tour.” Legend, an R&B and soul singer, fortifies his sound with classical, gospel, hip hop, and pop. Before his solo career, he performed and produced with other artists, such as Alicia Keys and Jay-Z. He is also an actor and philanthropist. Pittsburghers may remember that he sang “God Bless America” during the seventh-inning stretch at the 2006 MLB All-Star Game. 7:30 p.m. 101 6th St., Cultural District.

2) Jake Bugg has already proven he’s more than Bob Dylan with a British accent. The English folk singer’s 2012 self-titled debut went to number one on the UK Albums Chart. The album sheds pessimism on the present, but carries optimism for the future. And, wow, was Bugg right to be optimistic. The album was nominated for a Mercury Music Prize, and musicians from Mick Jagger to Oasis’ Noel Gallagher have expressed support of Bugg. Bugg also recently performed a successful set at SXSW in Austin and already has released a second album, produced by none other than Rick Rubin. Oh, and he’s only 20. His sophomore effort, Shangri La, features a faster, more electric sound. He will wrap up the Three Rivers Arts Festival tonight with a free concert. 7:30–9 p.m. Point State Park, Downtown.

3) When Pittsburgh’s The Jaggerz released their number two Billboard pop single, “The Rapper,” in 1970, rap music had not yet emerged as a genre. (This song, a blue-eyed soul number, is actually about a lustful man who “starts his rappin’ / Hopin’ something will happen.”) The band would see its music become hip hop four decades later when Wiz Khalifa, also from Pittsburgh, sampled another Jaggerz song, “Memoirs of the Traveler.” The sample continues the relevancy of the band members, who took their name from “dem jagger bushes n’at.” Donnie Iris has since split and William Maybray Sr. and James “Pugs” Pugliano have passed away, but core members Jimmie Ross and Benny Faiella still tour with a new lineup. The current incarnation will play Jergel’s Rhythm Grille, and you can listen to their new single, “The Walk,” here. 7 p.m. 285 Northgate Dr., Warrendale.

4) “And I’m bringing you a love that’s true / So get ready, so get ready.” Pittsburgh’s Pure Gold will be bringing the love and the oldies following the Father’s Day Car Cruise at Hartwood Acres. The car cruise is free, so just help Dad wash the old Cutlass before driving out to the event. Once the cruise is over, families can watch Pure Gold perform a concert, which is also free. The band uses four-part harmonies and a cappella, plus tight instrumentation, to bring to life hits from the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s. Pure Gold has played with artists such as Chuck Berry and at venues such as Radio City Music Hall. They also have released a steady stream of CDs, featuring both covers and originals. Cruise: 2-7 p.m. Concert: 7:30 p.m. 200 Hartwood Acres, Hampton and Indiana townships.

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Christopher Maggio

I'm a Steel City native and have worked for Entertainment Central Pittsburgh since 2014. I write, edit, and photograph in the categories of music, nightlife, and occasionally theater and dining. In my free time, I enjoy live music and time with friends and family.

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