Blues man Taj Mahal in Seattle for annual Thanksgiving gig

Henry Saint Clair Fredericks, aka Taj Mahal, returns for his annual Thanksgiving gig. The two-time Grammy winner ranges over the music of the African Diaspora, from delta and Piedmont blues to reggae and calypso. In 2008, the froggy-voiced, tall-tale-telling entertainer released the monumental album, "Maestro," featuring Ben Harper, Jack Johnson Angelique Kidjo and Los Lobos, among others. He appears here in trio with Bill Rich (bass) and Kester Smith (drums). 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Wednesday and Nov. 23-24; 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday and Nov. 25 at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave., Seattle; $33.50 (206-441-9729 or www.jazzalley.com).

Paul de Barros, Seattle Times music critic