JIMBO MATHUS
9 p.m., Sticky Fingerz.
Luther Dickinson, of the North Mississippi Allstars and the Black Crowes, once said that Jimbo Mathus is a link in “the ‘crazy Mississippi white-boy’ chain of music that goes all the way back through Elvis Presley to Jimmie Rogers … white musicians playing black music and influencing people in both cultures.” That kind of framing of Mathus’ sound might come as a surprise to those who remember him as the animated front man of the swing revival act the Squirrel Nut Zippers. That ’90s favorite has lately reunited for a spate of gigs here and there, but since the early 2000s, Mathus has spent most of his time exploring blues and roots music. He’s toured with Pine Bluff’s CeDell Davis, served as musical director for Buddy Guy and released a host of records, moving easily between swamp rock, country and the acoustic blues. His latest, “Jimmy the Kid,” seems to stretch across all those genres. Look for Arkansas native Matt Pierce on guitar in Mathus’ backing band, the Tri-State Coalition. Conway’s Jim Mize, who should never be missed, leads his band, the Germans, in the opening slot.