When an artist splits from a group, or a group disbands (as bands will do), the artist often has to work harder, especially when trying to stake his or her own claim in roughly the same genre. The Blue Avengers are no more, and yet singer Alana Cahoon presses on, straddling the sultry and blue side of jazz. I went to see Cahoon and pianist Andy Calabrese bring the happy to the happy-hour crowd at Pomodoro Thursday night. For me, jazz in the daylight hours is like drinking before noon; a little out of place, a little risky, but extra-cool when it works. Those who do it are hardcore. Cahoon worked her way around stylized standards, as well as stuff off her delicious disc, "Don't Look Back." As long as she takes that advice - and continues to sound this good - her fans won't either.

After Pat Benatar's smokin' set at CMAC last year, people wondered how Blondie could possibly follow (and if you remember, they didn't). This year the question was, How would Benatar follow in the smoldering wake left by REO Speedwagon?

Speedwagon was simply amazing. Yes, Rochester loves its dinosaurs, and often only needs to hear a hit to deem a show good or not, but the band was in tight form at CMAC on Sunday. REO has always been the kind of band that, if you grew up in its heyday, you didn't really have to own a copy of any of its records - REO Speedwagon ruled the airwaves. And besides, all your friends had a copy of "Hi Infidelity" if you wanted to ogle the cover and stock up the spank bank.

I was a little skeptical, as guitarist Gary Richrath has been gone from the line-up since 1989. No worries; the band's sound is still intact, and guitarist Dave Amato (former Ted Nugent guitarist) shredded on the hit-laden set, including the note-for-note solo on "Keep On Lovin' You," which is still in my air-guitar repertoire.

With most members circling 60, there's plenty of speed left in the Wagon, especially in tireless front man Kevin Cronin. I imagine there's some yoga going on somewhere in the tour schedule - perhaps this is how it rolls with the changes. REO milked the crowd dry and frankly wore me out.

I stuck around for a bit of Benatar's set. Her voice has got a bit of a ragged edge to it now and she circumvents some of the skyscraper notes, but she still sounds amazing. Her husband, hipster cat Neil Geraldo, is an amazing guitarist - so good, in fact, that Benatar played air guitar alongside his guitar breaks. When I play air guitar I imagine I sound - and look - as good as he does.