I’d describe him as the UK Michael Bublé, but that’d be discounting Jamie Cullum’s own undeniable talent; yes, both are pop jazz crossover artists, but Cullum sings and plays piano, among other instruments, improvises his sets (no planning ahead of time for this guy), incorporates classic standards and modern covers into his repertoire of originals, and generally brings a bad boy appeal to the clean cut-ness of the genre (Check out my interview with him here). 8 p.m. Weds., July 7, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, $33-$53, rutheckerd.com. —Leilani Polk
Author Chris Kuzneski makes a special trip to Tampa Bay for his pre-release party. The New York Times best-selling author is signing his latest, The Prophecy, a mystery thriller perhaps best described as "a mix between Dan Brown and Clive Cussler." chriskuzneski.com. Weds., July 7, 6 p.m., Borders Bookstore, 2683 Gulf to Bay Blvd., Clearwater.
Artist Harvey Simon, a regular at the St. Petersburg Clay Company, offers a collection of ceramic sculptures. Meet Simon at the free artist's reception, held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Weds., July 7; the works remain on display through July 31. 727-560-4224. Clearwater East Library, Clearwater.
Crushing guitars, fast and complex double-the-thunder rhythms, gut-deep roars and higher-pitched growls, songs with titles like “Enslaved” and “The Harbinger” — yep, it’s deathcore all right, and it comes direct from Las Vegas outfit Molotov Solution. Apparently, their songs focus on politics, government conspiracies, and world issues, though I don’t know how you’d ever understand what the fuck these guys are barking about, since it sounds like they’re devouring the lyrics rather than delivering them. DR. Acula and I Declare War open. Weds., July 7, Orpheum, Ybor City, myspace.com/theorpheum. —Leilani Polk
This article appears in Jul 1-7, 2010.