It’s still early, but 2007 might go down as the year of the Shins. The indie rock ensemble’s new disc Wincing The Night Away was released in January, and the night it debuted in CD stores they appeared on Late Night with David Letterman singing “Turn On Me.” Since then the Shins have appeared on the cover of every magazine from Spin to Rolling Stone, enjoyed a publicity whirlwind, and now their current tour comes to the Ryman Auditorium Friday night along with Viva Voce (114 Fifth Ave.

N., 8 p.m.

, $27.50-$34.50, 889-3060).

Relocated from New Mexico to Oregon a few years ago, the group’s inventive, alternately brash and subdued brand of indie rock got a big instrumental bump in 2002 when Dave Hernandez, a former member of Scared of Chaka, joined the group. They’ve also added Eric Johnson as another key collaborator. Still, it’s the songwriting and vocals of James Russell Mercer that’s at the core of their success.

Mercer pens tunes that can be quirky, clever, amusing or poignant, and he provides the perfect singing sensibility for their music. The band’s songs have been featured in several films and television shows, though Zach Braff’s Garden State is probably their finest cinematic excursion. Shins’ tunes also aired on Scrubs and The O.

C., and have been featured in a McDonald’s commercial. As they continue their push into the mainstream, the Shins haven’t tampered with or diluted their appealing, distinctive sound.

Another element that differentiates them from many bands is intra-group versatility, with several members able to switch from guitar to bass. Mercer has proven to be a gifted arranger and composer who pens works with swaying rhythms, shifting textures, odd time signatures and diverse settings. Whether or not they’re the world’s best indie rock band is up for debate, but they’re the genre’s hottest ensemble.

Vocalist Connye Florance and trumpeter Rod McGaha are esteemed performers in the city’s jazz community, but each also has lengthy experience operating in many other idioms. Florance sings elegant pre-rock and show tunes, earthy blues and exacting jazz pieces, while also distinguishing herself on the theatrical and musical show front. McGaha’s roots are in gospel, soul and funk, but he’s also a sterling soloist and horn master who has played with the great bop drummer Max Roach.

Florance and McGaha are featured attractions in a special one-night show titled “Jazz Rhapsody starring Connye Florance” on Saturday night at War Memorial Auditorium (301 6th Ave. N., 6:30 p.

m., $20, $40, $100, 782-4000). The program is being presented by Cumberland University’s School of Music Arts and accents vintage, yet popular jazz and pre-rock standards.

The menu includes Florance’s renditions of “Drop Me Off In Harlem,” “In A Sentimental Mood,” and several others. There’s also a pre-performance VIP reception. Those interested in attending that function can contact Sheridan Henson at Cumberland University, 547-1364.

The Grand Ole Opry returns to the Opry House this weekend, and both bluegrass and country are in the programming forefront. The Friday night show (2840 Opryland Drive, 8 p.m.

, $31.50-$46.50, 871-6779) features such famed stars as Ralph Stanley, Del McCoury, Ricky Skaggs, Michael Martin Murphy, Mike Snider and Bucky Covington.

The Saturday night show returns McCoury and Skaggs, and also includes appearances by several country giants. Besides the great Mel Tillis with Alan Jackson, The show has Jim Ed Brown and Steve Holy, plus Pam Tillis, a consistent country hitmaker. (6:30 start).

Rob Ickes, Andy Leftwich and Dave Pomeroy are magnificent musicians, well known in the bluegrass and acoustic communities, but quite capable of playing any and all other styles. Ickes is a superstar in dobro circles and constant award winner, Leftwich’s mandolin and fiddle work is equally masterful and Pomeroy’s an ace bassist. They now join forces in the trio Three Ring Circle, and their self-titled CD is still available.

They appear tonight at the Station Inn (402 12th Ave. S, $10, 9 p.m.

, 255-3307). The Nashville Jazz Workshop’s regular “Snap on 2 and 4” shows are perfect changes to catch premier improvisers in performance at reasonable prices. The latest edition of the series on Friday night at the NJW’s Jazz Cave (1312 Adams St.

, 8 p.m., $15, 242-5299) spotlights the Bruce Dudley Quintet, with Dudley, a prominent pianist, arranger and composer heading a first-rate group.

The other personnel include Rahsaan Barber, a superb saxophonist, trumpet whiz Rod McGaha and a rhythm section including NJW co-founder, jazz historian and exceptional bassist Roger Spencer and prolific drummer Chester Thompson. James King’s profile has steadily risen in bluegrass circles, thanks in large part to his acclaimed Rounder albums. An engaging vocalist who can handle both the vintage repertoire or more contemporary material, and he’s good on story songs and mountain music classics.

King returns to the Station Inn Saturday (402 12th Ave., 9 p.m.

, $10, 255-3307. It’s a good week for fans of rock done by bands unconcerned about shaping their work to get radio play or commercial attention. That doesn’t mean the songs of the Features, The Whigs and the Spinto Band shouldn’t be on the airwaves because nothing could be further from the truth.

The Features in particular have a knack of integrating disco and funk influences into their numbers, while The Whigs and Spinto Band make animated, searing and entertaining tunes. This trio comes to Nashville Saturday night (Mercy Lounge, 9:30 p.m.

, $15, 251-3020) for a show that should be right up the alley for those attending Friday night’s Shins outing. In little less than two years, Scottish singer/songwriter Paolo Nutini’s sagas about romantic misadventures, turmoil and conflict have made him a huge star in Europe and an emerging one on these shores. Since Nutini’s single “These Streets” rocketed from the Internet as a download to the release of his debut Atlantic disc of the same name, he’s gained popularity despite never having any formal music training.

He became a professional vocalist almost by accident. But Nutini numbers such as “Last Request,” “Rewind” and especially “Jenny, Don’t Be Hasty” (all reportedly based on true encounters) spotlight an insight and perspective that seems both world-weary and more bittersweet than normally anticipated from someone not yet 20 years old. If you didn’t already purchase tickets for his Sunday night 3rd and Lindsley show, it is a sellout.

But those who want to hear him still have a chance to do so, and in a free setting as well. Paolo Nutini is the latest performer doing an in-store Sunday at Grimey’s New Preloved Music (1640 8th Ave. S, 3 p.

m., 254-4801), another in a series of amazing events that’s transforming Grimey’s into not just the best place in Nashville to buy music, but a prime spot to hear it as well.