Jim the Critic’s Top Bay Area Concert Picks of the Week (Aug. 1-7) – The Mercury News

CLICK HERE if you are having trouble viewing these photos on a mobile device.

Here’s a look at the top concerts of the week, highlighted by the return of the Concord Jazz Festival:

Concord Jazz Festival

It was a cherished annual tradition in the Bay Area for decades, before finally coming to a close after the 2004 festival. Now organizers are bringing it back – for one year at least – in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Concord Jazz Festival on Aug. 3 at the Concord Pavilion.

The lineup for this milestone occasion includes Dave Koz & Friends: Summer Horns featuring Gerald Albright, Rick Braun, Kenny Lattimore and Aubrey Logan; Esperanza Spalding; Chick Corea: The Spanish Heart Band with Carlitos Del Puerto and Marcus Gilmore; Poncho Sanchez & His Latin Jazz Band; the Legendary Count Basie Orchestra directed by Scotty Barnhart featuring Patti Austin, Jamison Ross, Carmen Bradford and more — Celebrating Ella!

Details: 4 p.m.; $39.50-$149.50, www.livenation.com

Backstreet Boys

“Quit Playing Games (with My Heart)” might be the greatest “boy band” song of all time. You’ll likely hear that great ballad and many other winning pop singles, when the Backstreet Boys perform Aug. 4 at the SAP Center at San Jose. Baylee Littrell is also on the bill.

Details: 8 p.m.; $29-$175, www.ticketmaster.com

Lord Huron

The popular indie-folk act, led by singer-songwriter Ben Schneider, performs Aug. 2 at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley. Shakey Graves and Julia Jacklin are also on the bill.

Details: 7:30 p.m.; $49.50, www.ticketmaster.com

Bush and Live

It’ll be twice the ’90s alt-rock fun at this celebration of the 25th anniversary of both Bush’s “Sixteen Stone” and Live’s “Throwing Copper” on Aug. 7 at Concord Pavilion. Our Lady Peace is also on the bill.

Details: 7 p.m.; $25-$99.50, www.livenation.com

Before you go …

Traffic, parking, security lines? Best plan ahead before you go with our handy venue guides: