By the time Kasim Sulton joined Todd Rundgren’s Utopia in 1977, the 18-year-old was already a music-biz pro, having played piano with David Bowie-publicist-turned-glam-rocker Cherry Vanilla for nearly two years. Utopia led Sulton to many gigs: He launched a solo career, played bass on Meat Loaf’s Bat Out of Hell, and toured and recorded with Joan Jett, Mick Jagger, and Hall & Oates. Over the years, Sulton has maintained a longstanding connection to Rundgren — he just helped him present 1973’s A Wizard, a True Star onstage in its entirety for the first time — while continuing to pursue his solo career (recent projects include All Sides, a two-CD career retrospective with new songs, and Live in Atlanta, a DVD). Sulton’s broad experience and limitless talent allow him to deliver a swinging pop groove that shimmers with soul and rocks with authority. Plus, he tells great stories. He performs at Wilbert’s (812 Huron Ave., 216.902.4663, wilbertsmusic.com), with Todd Miller at 9 p.m. Tickets: $20. — Brian Baker
