John Mayer in Concert at PPG Paints Arena; Jergel’s Hosts Bill Toms and Billy Price (Thurs., 5/5/22)

1) John Mayer went from pop to blues to jam-band. Let’s chart this development. One of his first singles was “Your Body Is a Wonderland,” which won a Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance in 2003. He moved to blues in the mid-aughts by collaborating with legends such as B.B. King, forming the John Mayer Trio, and releasing Continuum in 2006. Cut to a few albums later, and John Mayer became a Deadhead after hearing “Althea” on a Pandora station. He befriended Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir in 2015. The pair and Dead drummers Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann soon formed Dead & Company, which will be coming to Pittsburgh this summer, so you can even see Mayer twice. He will perform his solo work at PPG Paints Arena. Mayer’s most recent studio album is Sob Rock, released in 2021. 7:30 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (C.M., R.H.)

2) There’s a wonderful double bill of Pittsburgh Blues rock this month, both literally and figuratively. Bill Toms and Billy Price will both be brining their considerable musical talents to Jergel’s. Both will be performing with their respective bands, Toms with Hard Rain and the Soulville Horns; and Price with the Billy Price Band. Toms, in addition to favorites from his catalog, will be performing songs from his most recent album, Keep Movin’ On” (see our story). Price, who a couple years moved to the Baltimore, Maryland area, makes a return to the city that helped put him on the map as a consummate blues and soul singer. Price’s latest album is 2018’s Dog Eat Dog. 8 p.m. 285 Northgate Dr., Warrendale.

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