By Michael Swanger michael@dmcityview.com

In the world of jazz, Al DiMeola needs no introduction, though chances are that most of you have heard him collaborate with pop artists like Santana, Jimmy Page, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon and Frank Zappa, but didn't know it.

A native of New Jersey, DiMeola spent his youth studying guitar and hanging out at salsa clubs. Influenced by jazz guitar legend Larry Coryell, he enrolled at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where legend has it that he participated in marathon practice sessions.

In 1974, at the age of 19, DiMeola was recruited by pianist Chick Corea to join the landmark fusion group Return To Forever. Two years later, the young guitarist went solo and recorded "Land of the Midnight Sun," and the rest, you could say, is history.

Over the years, DiMeola has cut 21 albums (including three gold albums), sold more than four million units, and won several music awards around the world. Earlier this year, he released the DVD "One of These Nights" and an album with Russian singer Leonid Agutin, "Cosmopolitan Life."

His "Elegant Gypsy Tour" finds DiMeola making the rarest of Central Iowa stops Friday at 8 p.m. at the Val Air Ballroom where he'll be joined by Mario Parmisano (keyboards), Gumbi Ortiz (percussion), Ernie Adams (drums) and Victor Miranda (bass). Tickets are $30. Call 223-6152.

On Stage series starts Saturday

The Des Moines Art Center kicks off its 2005-2006 On Stage season, a celebration of Mozart's 250th birthday, by hosting a performance Saturday at 8 p.m. by Mozaiques Chamber Ensemble. The world-renowned group will perform Mozart's "Kegelstatt Trio," as well as a one of the composer's piano concertos and "Piano Trio" by Maurice Ravel in Levitt Auditorium in the I.M. Pei building.

Before the show, patrons can participate in an opening-night celebration, which includes a docent-led tour and refreshments. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tours will be held at 6:45 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.

Tickets for the concert are $25 for adults ($20 for members) and $5 for children under 13. For more information, call 277-4405 or visit www.desmoinesartcenter.org.

Live music commission set

After weeks of speculation about who would be named to the city's first live music commission, the new group met time with little fanfare last week for the first.

This summer, the Des Moines City Council unanimously voted to create the commission and was charged with selecting and appointing the commission's seven members, two of which must be 30 years of age or younger. Those members, including which councilmember appointed them, include CEO of Launchpad DMI Entertainment & Studios Gerald James III (Bob Mahaffey), Des Moines Music Coalition founder Fritz JŸnker (Michael Kiernan), former KFMG DJ Clarence Key Jr. (Archie Brooks), Coffeehouse Productions owner-promoter Pat Oswald (Tom Vlassis), former Hairy Mary's manager and new Prairie Meadows entertainment coordinator Raul "Gus" Ramirez (Chris Coleman), The Nadas lead singer Jason Walsmith (Frank Cownie) and People's Productions bar owner-promoter Tom Zmolek (Christine Hensley).

JŸnker and Ramirez represent the commission's 30-and-under members. The terms for James, Key and Zmolek expire July 1, 2007, while the terms for JŸnker, Oswald, Ramirez and Walsmith expire July 1, 2008.

Steve Gunson, deputy director for city's community development department, says the group's first meeting was about getting to know one another and establishing bylaws. They will meet again Oct. 18 at 5:30 p.m. in the planning and zoning conference room.

Roadhouse 69's still standing, for now

Two weeks ago we informed you that Roadhouse 69 owner Randy Coffey was being forced to close his Ankeny nightclub after his landlords, Elwell Inc., asked him to vacate the premises by Sept. 30, but he's not leaving without a fight.

Coffey told Cityview he signed a five-year sublease agreement in 2003 when he opened the bar and has now sought legal representation in hopes of staying put. Last week, Coffey says, his lawyer began negotiations with Elwell Inc. officials in hopes of keeping the bar open in Ankeny. If an agreement can't be reached, Coffey says, he will seek compensation for the 60- to 90-day extension he requested from the landlords, but was denied, in hopes it will provide enough seed money to relocate.

Coffey says an immediate closing would jeopardize Roadhouse 69's future, though he is already scouting new sites in Des Moines should he be forced to leave. The club owner says he has looked at a possible new site near Merle Hay Mall.

Why Make Clocks wants you

Des Moines alt-rockers Why Make Clocks are having a bittersweet time of things of late. The band just released its new CD, "Midwestern Film," after having recorded it at Wavelab Recording Studio in Tucson, Ariz., with engineer Craig Schumacher (Calexico, Iron and Wine, Neko Case), but is also in need of some musicians to fill some vacated spots - and fast.

The band recently lost three members and is in search of a drummer, keyboardist and bassist to join Eric Kennedy, Phillip Sterk and Dan Hutchison for three upcoming gigs. On Friday, the band opens for William Elliott Whitmore at the Maintenance Shop in Ames. The group also has shows lined up for Oct. 22 in Fargo, N.D., and Nov. 11 at the Vaudeville Mews to promote the new album. Musicians interested in auditioning for the band may e-mail whymakeclocks@yahoo.com.

Fans interested in purchasing "Midwestern Film" can do so by visiting www.cdbaby.com.

Scene notes

The "Dark Day Tour" featuring national hip-hop artists Qwel with Dallar Jackson and Stick Figures plays the Vaudeville Mews Thursday at 9 p.m. Local rappers Aeon Grey and Really Real open. Admission to the all-ages show is $6... Blues on Grand resumes its weekly Friday After Work Release Party this week with plenty of blues and Cajun-style food. Chicago Rick's Blues Band, named in honor of the late "Chicago" Rick Lussie who used to host the affair, will feature George Davis and Brian "Taz" Grant will perform each week at 5 p.m. Jesse James will provide the food. Admission is $4. Call 244-3092... Little Mojo plays Dig Downtown, the Des Moines Art Center Downtown's after-work shindig Friday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Admission is $5... "Once Upon A City," an exhibition by Kim Ders and Shadley Grei, will be held through the month of October at Ritual Cafè, 1301 Locust St. Grei will be in attendance at an artists' reception Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m.... The Des Moines Big Band opened its second season this week at the Adventureland Inn in Altoona and will perform there every Monday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. through May 2006. Led by trumpeter Jim Oatts, the band will host a number of guest artists throughout the all-ages series. This week's guest is saxophonist Rob Scheps, who has also worked with Gil Evans and Buddy Rich. Admission is $8 for adults and $7 for students... The Drake Symphony Orchestra will perform a free concert Tuesday at 8 p.m. in Sheslow Auditorium... The Party Gras Classic Jazz Band, which last week hosted its own benefit concert for Gulf Coast musicians, is participating in another event aimed at providing relief for those affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. On Oct. 22, the Department of Cultural Affairs will host "Mardi Gras in the Museum," at the State of Iowa Historical Museum from 6 to 10 p.m. The event includes food from Buzzard Billy's, the Embassy Club and other restaurants, as well as music from the Party Gras Classic Jazz Band and other musicians yet to be announced. Children's activities will also be held. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children. Proceeds will be donated to Iowa's Gulf States Relief Fund... Officials with the Val Air Ballroom announced a slew of new shows coming to the West Des Moines venue this fall including Saliva and Theory of a Dead Man Oct. 22 ($10); Umphrey's McGee Nov. 8 ($15) and Blues Traveler on Nov. 17 ($20). They also confirmed that tickets for the Fall Out Boy's Nov. 15 show are sold out... Cracker unplugged, featuring David Lowery and Johnny Hickman, plays the Vaudeville Mews Nov. 1 at 9 p.m. Tickets, available through IowaTix, are $15 in advance and $18 day of show... Cow-punk Hank Williams III plays the House of Bricks Nov. 10. The Laney Strickland Band opens. Advance tickets, available through IowaTix, are $18. CV

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