Funked-out jazz on deck at Rupununi

When it comes to the local music scene, chances are you’ll come across the name Mike Billings sooner rather than later. For years, the 29-year-old guitar player and Bangor resident has been doing gigs around the area, both as a solo performer and as a member of various blues, funk and rock outfits.

This summer finds the ever-busy guitar slinger playing in slightly different form, fronting his own jazz trio, which plays from 2 until about 7 p.m. every Sunday on the patio at Rupununi, 119 Main St., in Bar Harbor.

Sure, the music is a little more refined, geared to accompany the more subdued Sunday dining atmosphere. But Billings and his current backing lineup – bassist Roderick Pinkney of the Funkizon and drummer Caleb Wheeler – do manage to sneak in just a little something extra into the afternoon sets of acoustic, guitar-driven jazz.

Polished, slightly funked-out renditions of standards by jazz greats such as Miles Davis and John Coltrane and some equally refined original compositions make the group’s sound suitable for easy Sunday listening. But it’s the swinging, slightly cheeky covers of Michael Jackson hits like “Thriller” and “Billie Jean,” and even a classic rock tune or two – all tastefully disguised as twinkling, mellow jazz instrumentals – that makes lingering a little longer for a closer listen worthwhile.

Also, starting tonight and continuing every other Friday, Billings will also be performing with his plugged-in, slightly more raucous funk-group Plan B, from 10 p.m. until 1 a.m. in the downstairs bar at Rupununi.

For more about Rupununi, visit www.rupununi.com. Mike Billings can be reached at mikebluz@hotmail.com. George Bragdon can be reached at gbragdon@bangordailynews.net.