February concerts

Jazz, gospel and Hindustani music are among the UC Davis music department’s concert offerings this month:

David Deffner — Organist, performing 10 organ chorales of Johann Sebastian Bach. Free. 12:05 p.m. Feb. 12, 115 Music Building.

Pete Nowlen — The UC Davis Concert Band director plays horn, with the UC Davis and California State University, Sacramento, horn quartets. Free. 12:05 p.m. Feb. 19, 115 Music Building.

Jazz Band (Wednesday Night Big Band) — 7 p.m. Feb. 25, Studio Theatre, Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts.

Hindustani Vocal Ensemble — Directed by Artist-in-Residence Rita Sahai. Free. 12:05 p.m. Feb. 26, 115 Music Building. 

Gospel Choir — 7 p.m. Feb. 28, Freeborn Hall. Tickets will be sold at the door.

Artist-in-Residence Rita Sahai — The acclaimed composer and performer, titled Gayan Alankar (Jewel of Music) by world-famous sarod maestro Ustad Ali Akbar Kahn, presents classical and original North Indian vocal music with guest tabla and harmonium players. 7 p.m. Feb. 28, Studio Theatre.

Tickets for the Jazz Band and Rita Sahai concerts: (530) 754-2787 or (866) 754-2787, or www.mondaviarts.org.

Perlman’s golden concert

The Mondavi Center announced that ticket availability is limited for the Itzhak Perlman Golden Anniversary concert on Feb. 24. (See box office information below.)

The concert, marking 50 years since Perlman’s U.S. debut on television’s Ed Sullivan Show, is scheduled for 8 p.m. in Jackson Hall. The program: Handel’s Violin Sonata in D Major, op. 1/13; Beethoven’s Violin Sonata No. 9, op. 47 (Kreutzer); and Messiaen’s Theme and Variants for violin and piano.

“Limited availability” for the Feb. 24 concert means that the Mondavi Center may not be able to accommodate certain requests, such as two seats together, or that a waiting list has been established. Call for more information: (530) 754-2787 or (866) 754-2787.

Afro-Cuban All-Stars

Led by singer and guitarist Juan de Marcos, the mastermind behind the Buena Vista Social Club, this exuberant, 17-piece jazz orchestra plays the “sons,” mambos and cha-chas from Havana’s “golden era” — but with a modern edge. The orchestra is scheduled to perform in Jackson Hall at the Mondavi Center at 8 p.m. Feb. 26. Tickets: (530) 754-2787 or (866) 754-2787, or www.mondaviarts.org.

Back in the house

Ball in the House is back in the house, or will be, on Feb. 25. The venue is Jackson Hall at the Mondavi Center, and the occasion is a school matinee at 11 a.m. — no other performances are scheduled.

The five-man pop and rhythm-and-blues “mouth music” band “wowed” a Jackson Hall audience a year ago, according to a Mondavi Center news release, which further stated that the Boston-based group produces a cappella music “like you have never heard before, anchored by a ‘human drum machine.’”

The Mondavi Center recommends this show for grades kindergarten through 12. Educators interested in purchasing tickets should call (530) 754-4689.