Every organist has their "First time I saw Jimmy Smith " story, but few of these are the preface to a 50-year career. Pittsburgh's Gene Ludwig swings with such an easy grace that one has to suspect he walks, breathes and snores in that rhythm. Next time you wander into a smoky bar and hear someone coaxing a sultry blues lick from a B3 knockoff, ask 'em about the first time they saw Gene Ludwig.

Fri., Jan. 20, 5:45 and 7:15 p.m., $12, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th St. and the Parkway, 215-763-8100.

Astral Artistic Services is dedicated to fostering the careers of promising young musicians, but the featured performer for their next recital, violinist Ayano Ninomiya, already has a strong resumé, with a clutch of well-received CDs to her name, and the attention of discerning music lovers. Her program reflects her inquisitive nature; sonatas of Mozart and Schumann, as well as works from two less well-known but fascinating composers from the 20th century, Enesco and Dallapiccola.

Sun., Jan. 22, 3 p.m., $16, with pianist Timothy Lovelace, Trinity Center for Urban Life, 22nd and Spruce sts., 215-735-6999, www.astralartisticservices.org.

With the Syd Barrett: Under Review DVD and David Gilmour's On an Island starting off what promises to be the year of the Floyd, I say you can't do better than to catch Jersey's bestest Pink cover band. Brain Damage not only has the harrowingly arcane/maddeningly psychedelic catalog to show their dedication (Syd's "Arnold Layne," "Dogs," three different versions of "Pigs"), but a three-hour megawatt production of smoke, mirrors and lasers to boot. And the show's in a Travel Inn restaurant. Welcaaaam to the maaaacheeeeine.

Sat., Jan. 21, 8:30 p.m., $10, Keegan's Pub & Restaurant, 1533 Route 38, Mount Holly, N.J., 609-267-7900, www.braindamageband.com.

Sometime in the '70s, a baby came out the womb sporting an afro and carrying a pick in one hand and a set of drumsticks in the other. Fast-forward to this weekend and homeboy ?uestlove will be celebrating his birthday at his weekly Fluid residency, Tastytreats. As always, he'll bring the cake.

Sat., Jan. 21, 10 p.m., $7 (ladies free until 11 p.m.), with DJ Mike Nyce, Fluid Nightclub, 613 S. Fourth St., www.squarebiz.org.

Franzschubert's radically loopy, utterly charming chamber-rock-house-drunked-up-C&W-Zappa-anthemic pop debut Bump was one of 2004's best Philly CDs. A funny thing happened on the way to the follow-up. Band co-leader Andrew Lipke got signed to make a solo record, leaving his way-capable and equally contagious writing/playing/crooning partner Ian Jarvis and friends to continue the infectious experiment of mixing calypso with techno and Motown with metal.

Fri., Jan. 20, 9 p.m., $8, with 722, Red Stanleys and Welcome to My Face, The Khyber, 56 S. Second St., 215-238-5888, www.thekhyber.com.