Russell Gunn & Blackhawk

CRITIC’S PICK: Atlanta-based trumpet maestro Russell Gunn is bringing Blackhawk, his Miles Davis tribute band, to The Velvet Note in Alpharetta for a two-night stand Nov. 24-25. Accompanied by Terreon Gully (drums), Louis Heriveaux (piano) and Kevin “Raw Dog” Smith (bass), Gunn will explore the music of Miles Davis in the early 1960s, specifically the period between Kind of Blue and before the formation of Davis’ second great quintet with Herbie Hancock, Tony Williams, et al. “I’ve been away for awhile as a trumpet player/band leader,” says Gunn. “I’ve been perfecting my skills as an arranger and composer for the last few years, as well as being the best side man I could be to Marcus Miller. But don’t call it a comeback. It’s a reemergence!” — Doug DeLoach