Curtis Lee and The Sugar Trio

Curtis Lee plays Rock House Bar and Trailer Park on Friday, October 2, with his band The Sugar Trio. It's an Austin-based soul act, and the set moves between upbeat numbers and slower, more stripped-back songs, so you'll get a bit of both in one night.

Lee describes his music as a blend of neo-soul, funk, jazz, and R&B. He's known for a vibrant and active stage presence, and the influences he cites run wide: Michael Jackson, Babyface, and Maxwell on the smoother end; James Brown, Al Green, and Stevie Wonder for the funk and soul; and Phonte and Jeff Buckley for the more contemporary and singer-songwriter sides. That range explains why the set shifts gears the way it does, from the danceable stuff to the quieter moments.

The show starts at 8:30 PM at Rock House Bar and Trailer Park, 6900 Ranch Rd 620 N, Austin, TX 78732.