Perhaps everyone was waiting for the Queen to have her birthday before organising gigs; whatever the reason, there's a lot of music about to occur.

That's what we'll look at this week. Sorry if it starts reading like a list, but there's a pile to get through and I'd like to encourage everyone to get out and listen to music, especially now the temptation is to stay on a warm sofa since the weather has reached the meteorological point officially described by scientists as Absolutely Bloody Freezing.

First of all though, a quick congrats to Paul Adams who was knighted in Betty's recent splurge.

Shame he had to accept a retrograde British accolade reinstalled by John Key rather than the proud New Zealand honours that previously existed, but a big swoop of the cowboy hat to Paul nonetheless. Here at The Watusi Country Club we honour him not for his building empire but for funding The Right Note, Graham Clark's meticulous book detailing 50 years of Tauranga musical history. Without Paul it might not have existed. Good job.

Okay, gigs. Some of these will be short.

But there's easily-available info' out there – if you see something of interest you can follow up at your leisure.

Friday and Saturday

With that in mind let me mention a few gigs happening tonight, Friday, June 7. I generally avoid this, and if you get your paper on Saturday skip the next couple of paragraphs, but there is so much on I wanted to give it all a little plug.

So, Friday sees Auckland guitarists/singers/songwriters Ian Simpson and Dave Alley playing the Katikati Folk Club with support from Tauranga's Sheryl Bond and Co. The show happens at The Arts Junction - there are more details on the Folk Club website.

Meanwhile, on Cameron Rd at The Sierra Cafe, local singer Jennifer Childs is launching her first album, Solitary Soul. You can find songs on-line to have a listen. Tickets are limited to 80 and Acoustic Sounds will be special guests for the night.

Or if you're hunting for something free, Waylon McPherson is on from 6pm at new Papamoa restaurant The Good Home and Trevor Braunias' duo Take Two, with Dave Henderson on bass, are at The Mount Social Club.

Come Saturday, head down the Jam Factory at the Historic Village, where you'll find Paul Ubana Jones. Paul really does need no introduction so be aware that it's an early show (doors, 6.30pm) and costs $30.

Sunday and beyond

Sunday, the Mount Social Club has an afternoon session from 3pm featuring Foxtrots, aka singer Zoe Scott, who originates from Geraldine. Find video clips of her singing original songs and others on her website.

But the gig I'm looking forward to is Sunday night, when the Entertainers Club hosts Auckland blues band The Flaming Mudcats from 5pm. It costs a very reasonable $15. The Mudcats were down around Christmas and I raved about them then. Apparently no one went.

They were also here at Easter and blew the roof off The Barrel Room. If you like sweaty Chicago blues with stunning harp and electric guitar, a great singer and a solidly grooving rhythm section then this is the one for you! Highly recommended.

Then next Wednesday (June 12) at the Jam Factory there's another chance to hear virtuoso acoustic guitarist Mark Mazengarb. Once a local, Mark has been in the US for several years; he has toured here several times, usually in the company of fellow guitarist Loren Barrigar. He's also organised tours for the likes of bluegrass outfit The Lonely Heartstring Band.

This time he arrives with New York singer/guitarist Katie Martucci for what promises to be a fantastic night of swing, old time and gypsy jazz music.

Finally, next weekend local favourites Kokomo play two shows to launch their new Sunset Claws album. They're at Katikati's Arts Junction on Saturday (June 15) and Mount Maunganui's Totara St on Sunday afternoon (June 16). The band's latest video – a humorous ditty from bass player Nigel Masters - is on their website and Facebook page and tickets are $20 from www.eventfinda.co.nz