CityLife

Must see: Eddie Palmieri, Buddy Guy, Tony Bennett, Robert Cray, Dr John

Tony Bennett

Various venues, July 2 to 8, 2010

Once in a while, a real great – in the true sense of the world – drops into the region for a live show. It might happen every few months; it might happen once a year.

When Stevie Wonder stopped at the MEN Arena last Tuesday, we thought that might have been our quota.

But no, no and thrice no! Because in the next seven days no fewer than five all time greats have lined up gigs in Manchester.

And CityLife can’t wait to tick them off our must see list . . .

First up tonight is an incredibly rare show from Latin jazz legend Eddie Palmieri, who comes to the Royal Northern College of Music tonight with his Jazz All Stars to celebrate 50 years in music (£20/£25).

Puerto Rico born with a composition credit to rival Frank Sinatra’s, Palmieri is a nine-times Grammy winner with over 40 albums’ worth of material to chose from.

The second great is Buddy Guy, an American blues picker famed for his outlandish showmanship and habit for crowd invasions – despite his 73 years!

His Bridgewater Hall gig on Sunday (£27.50-£32.50) kicks off a trio of shows at the venue that also includes Tony Bennett on Tuesday (sold out) and multi-award winning blues guitarist Robert Cray on Thursday (£29-£40).

The RNCM doesn’t settle for one show either, welcoming the multi-genre genius that is Dr John on Tuesday (£27.50).

Don’t ever say Manchester doesn’t deliver.