Soul Train Award nominations honor Amy Winehouse, Whitney Houston, R. Kelly

Cedric the Entertainer hosts annual awards show at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. The telecast airs Nov. 25 at 9 p.m. on BET.

5 Must-See Acts at World Music Festival Chicago — Part II

So much to see, so little time. Among the 50 acts on the festival lineup, here some musts:

Matuto, 7 p.m. Sept. 21,

Reggie’s Rock Club, 2109 S. State:

If purveyors of the high lonesome sound had hunkered down in northeast Brazil, the result might …

5 Must-See Acts at World Music Festival Chicago — Part I

Fatoumata Diawara, 7 p.m. Sept. 23 at Mayne Stage, 1328 W. Morse and 6:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington: Mali has long been a hotbed of world class singers and musicians who create a wide array of melodies and …

The Mix — Cool Things to Do 09.21.12

WEEKND GIG

One of the biggest critics’ darlings of the year thus far, downtempo R&B; mystery man the Weeknd (aka Abel Tesfaye, above) gave a curious performance at Lollapalooza this summer — still, soft and seductive. Now the Toronto artist is ensconcing himself in more …

Justin Timberlake not bringing his music back -- yet

He brought “SexyBack,” but don’t quite wait for Justin Timberlake to bring his music back — just yet.

Gardot celebrates her favorite haunts on ‘Absence’

Chanteuse Melody Gardot is of no fixed abode — she travels the world performing eleven months a year and then alights somewhere for a few weeks to recharge. Recently it was Lisbon, to which she pays homage with a song in Portuguese vernacular on her …

Lincoln Trio celebrates anniversary at Nichols Concert Hall

Ten, 10 and 100. When the Lincoln Trio opens the Music Institute of Chicago’s 2012-13 concert series on Sept. 23, it will begin a season-long celebration of an unusual convergence of anniversaries: ◆ the 10th anniversary of the Chicago-based ensemble’s establishment; ◆ the 10th anniversary …

Humor, family key to Loudon Wainwright’s legacy

The extended family tree of singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III is beginning to look like one of those intermarrying European royal families. Wainwright sits at the hub of a musical dynasty that includes his first wife, Kate McGarrigle; his second, Suzzy Roche (of the Roches); and …

Club Hopping 09.21.12

THE SMITHEREENS

They’re in their fourth decade as hard-edged Beatlesque pop-rockers, but the Smithereens at least sound as if they haven’t aged a day, judging by last year’s “2011.” The guitars bristle, the rhythms stomp, frequent Chicago visitor Pat DiNizio still stacks the downcast pop …

Northlight Theatre adds ‘Woody Sez’ to list of singer’s centennial events

Woody Guthrie, despite his aw-shucks Okie persona, was no fool. He knew how the fame game worked — it hasn’t changed much, even since his 1940s folksinging heyday — and he seemed to know exactly what would happen to his own musical legacy. “The hungrier …

Riot Fest fans hear every kind of rock under the sun

THOMAS CONNER: The long-running festival leaves the dark for the first time with two days outdoors. The stars of the final day: Elvis Costello, Iggy Pop and sunny, roomy Humboldt Park itself.

Buddy Guy selected as Kennedy Center honoree

The life of Chicago blues legend Buddy Guy will be recognized on the 35th Annual Kennedy Center Honors in December.

Melanie Fiona opens D’Angelo and Mary J. Blige show at United Center

Born in Toronto, Canada, to Guyanese immigrants, singer Melanie Fiona was exposed to different music, including R&B;, hip-hop and Caribbean music. But her favorite is old soul music by artists such as Nat King Cole and Otis Redding. “I love that era of soul music …

Bebel Gilberto embraces new attitude on life, music

Bebel Gilberto, one of the most alluring artists on the Latin/world music scene, confesses she’s waiting for the phone to ring.

Not for companionship. More for accompaniment. The singer-songwriter is part of a Brazilian musical dynasty: daughter of bossa-nova co-founder Joao Gilberto and singer Miucha, …