by Sarah Crisman

Jorge handed our musical matchmaker a business card with his four favorite artists scribbled on the back -- let's see if we can hook him up with some local music to suit his taste.

This week's matchmaker piece was particularly fun to put together. Jorge already has a great ear, and it just so happens that North Texas represents his particular brand of guitar-rich, soulful funk quite well. We're working with John Mayer, John Legend, Prince, and Michael Jackson. All legendary and influential in their own right, and complete with cult-like mainstream appeal. We've examined their music and come up with a few North Texas artists that best represent the collective sound of Jorge's taste.

Item one: John Mayer.

Upon first glance of Jorge's line-up, one might find start to hum the "three of these things are kind of the same now" song from Sesame Street. After all, this pretty boy A-lister has made girls swoon for the better part of a decade (this girl included) -- but Mayer has somehow managed to stay true to his musicianship in the face of celebrity. That can't be said for most. He makes it clear through the evolution of his work that no matter how many pictures we take of him, he knows exactly who he is when he picks up his guitar.

I'm particularly fond of Mayer's Trio work. Based on the rest of Jorge's list, I'm going to presume he likewise appreciates Mayer's meatier, more blues-heavy work (not just the three songs that Clear Channel decides to play until someone stabs themselves in the ear). With that in mind, I would suggest following Fort Worth's Mark Lettieri.

Lettieri is a rocking shredder, oft surrounded by jazz musicians and similar funky folk. He's one of the most sought-after guitarists in North Texas, playing with the likes of Erykah Badu, Myron Butler & Levi, Keite Young, Snarky Puppy, and Soulever Lift. Lettieri's soulful intricacies lend themselves to the funk in downright dirty ways -- especially on stage with Keite Young. That show is a Skirt Alert if ever there was one. Seriously, keep an eye on your girlfriend (ladies, keep an eye on your skirt). I won't lie, I felt violated. The music is that disruptive.

Which brings us to Item two: John Legend.

Keite Young was first on our list, but we want to test the deeper waters of funk and introduce you to Bobby Sparks. You can usually catch him playing with Marcus Miller and with the heavy hitters in the Dallas gospel scene (The Gritz, Keith Anderson). To really take in the best Dallas has to offer in this vein, I suggest hitting up The Prophet Bar on Wednesday nights. It's a must. You haven't had a proper live music experience until you've been to one of RC William's jam sessions. The caliber of musicians that congregate in Deep Ellum on Wednesday nights is consistently astounding -- last time I ventured to one, Roy Hargrove kept wandering on the stage.

Now, if the list had remained at John Mayer and John Legend, I wouldn't be suggesting such heavy fare. These cats are serious musicians, but the addition of Michael Jackson and Prince tell us that Jorge can handle it. They are gods among musicians, and two of the most influential artists of all time -- they inspire musicians to religious degrees. But how many crap bands have you heard declare Radiohead as their primary influence? Hundreds. The same can be said of Prince and Michael Jackson. Fortunately, crap bands are not our topic of discussion.

After listening to The Rainbow Children, Prince's super-obscure, super-jazzy, super-weird album from his disconcerting Jesus phase; we think Jorge should try the super-obscure, super-jazzy, super-weird album from Denton's Starfunk and the Renegade Lightning Production. Specifically their first album, Boxers on the Inside. These two albums screwed with my head in a similar manner. It felt like the first time I listened to Kid A -- I was suddenly very aware that noises are being made in a semi-melodic fashion, and it was making my brain work in a different direction from before.

Have at it, let us know what you think. We'll find out if Jorge digs this local music.

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