1. Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds
Friday, 7 p.m.
World Cafe Live
3025 Walnut St.
$12-$15, 215-222-1400
Some serious rock, blues, jazz and high-energy vocals combine in this gem of a group formed by singer and songwriter Arleigh Kincheloe in 2008. Typical guitar, bass and drums meet harmonica, trumpet, saxophone and of course Kincheloe’s soaring voice to make passionate, soulful songs that instantly grab you. 2.Gladys Knight and the O’Jays
Friday, 8 p.m.
Academy of Music
240 S. Broad St.
$65-$125, 215-893-1999
The Empress of Soul graces Philly, bringing back those 1960s and ’70s Motown hits we know and love. She performs with fellow musical legends, the O’Jays.
3.AlbertHammond Jr.
RELATED: Albert Hammond Jr gets introspective on ‘Momentary Masters’ Saturday, 8 p.m.
First Unitarian Church
2125 Chestnut St.
$15, 215-563-3980
Though Albert Hammond Jr. has a gig playing keyboard and guitar for The Strokes, he’s been making his own albums since 2006. His sound is bluesy, rocky and electric.The Beach Boys, Buddy Holly, John Lennon and the Velvet Underground are a few musicians who have influenced his songwriting. 4.ArturoSandoval and Poncho Sanchez
Sunday, 7:30 p.m.
Merriam Theater
$30 to $85, 215-893-1999
Latin jazz legends Arturo Sandoval and Poncho Sanchez are teaming up for a one-night-only show, part of the Kimmel’s Philly En Vivo series. Sandoval, a protege of Dizzy Gillespie, has racked up 10 Grammys; Sanchez has been blending jazz and soul, influenced by Gillespie’s sounds, for more than 30 years.