SUMMERTIME : MUSIC : Sounds of the Season : The long, hot days will be followed by cool, hip nights as the music scene comes alive in the Valley.

The summer of 1994 should be an unusually rousing season for music in the San Fernando Valley and surrounding areas. Fans of pop, jazz, classical and folk will find a wide variety of concerts in the coming months, from singer Sue Raney’s jazzy tribute to the music of Henry Mancini tonight at Le Cafe to Janet Jackson Aug. 9 at the Universal Amphitheatre.

The Raney tribute to the late composer is just one highlight from a busy schedule for the Sherman Oaks venue, located in a neighborhood hit hard by January’s earthquake.

Le Cafe was fortunate enough to be left standing, and is now celebrating its 15th anniversary.

“We have a lot of really die-hard fans,” said co-owner Dale Jaffe of the club that has seen such popular jazz and pop artists as David Benoit, Don Grusin, Strunz and Farah, and others pass through early in their careers. “Obviously, Sherman Oaks doesn’t have as many people living here as there were before. But, hopefully, by the end of the year the population will be back to normal.”

As ever, the Universal Amphitheatre in Universal City will be site to many of the area’s most spectacular musical events, including the Tony Award-winning stage adaptation of The Who’s 1969 rock opera “Tommy,” composed by guitarist Pete Townshend. That production runs July 13 through Aug. 14. Other summer events at Universal include a country music concert by Reba McEntire and John Michael Montgomery on July 1; the WOMAD music festival, with the bands Primus, Arrested Development, Midnight Oil, Live and Caifanes, on July 10; folk pop from the Indigo Girls on Aug. 26 and 27, and Jackson Browne with John Hiatt on Aug. 31.

For more information on Universal Amphitheatre shows, call (213) 480-3232.

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The Country Club in Reseda has postponed its live schedule until September, and will fill its calendar with a variety of dance music nights, with the beat provided by DJs. But other local rock, pop and country venues plan to stay busy through the summer months.

The Palomino in North Hollywood has returned to its country music roots, with plans to fill its evenings with local country acts.

The venue, located at 6907 Lankershim Blvd., is “under old management,” joked Sherry Thomas, who has retaken control of the club once owned by her late husband, Tom Thomas.

“There’s some great bands out there,” said Thomas, who recently bought out her nephew Bill Thomas’ interest in the club, “but there hasn’t been a place for them to showcase what they do.”

Sherry Thomas is hoping to change that by eliminating hard rock from the schedule. “I’m just getting away from that screaming,” she said.

That much should be obvious just from tonight’s performance by traditional country band Reward. On Saturday, the Blazers, Chris Gaffney and Beto Lavato play.

Other shows include roots-country from the Shivers on July 6, and from Paul Bowman on July 7; roots-rocker and funnyman Country Dick Montana brings his Petting Zoo band, including Rosie Flores and Katey Moffatt, on July 8, and Rip Master performs rockabilly July 9. Ronnie Mack’s “Barndance” will continue on Tuesday nights.

Ticket prices vary. For more information, call (818) 764-4010.

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In Calabasas, Pelican’s Retreat again offers a wide variety of pop music, from reggae to hard rock to folk.

“A lot of the bands that play here are A-league,” said Dave Hewitt, who books entertainment at Pelican’s. “In the summer, the younger people come back from school and they want to see bands on the cutting edge. They don’t want to drive all the way down to Hollywood, which is kind of scary.”

Scheduled shows at the club, located at 24454 Calabasas Road, include the funk pop act Sublime on July 9; the all-woman hard-rock act (and Geffen recording artists) Phantom Blue on July 15; rockabilly from the Dave and Deke Combo on July 30.

Admission is free Mondays and Wednesdays, and $5 all other nights. Call (818) 222-1155.

At FM Station in North Hollywood, bands dress up in polyester and wigs for the ‘70s-themed “Boogie Nights” on Wednesdays.

Located at 11700 Victory Blvd., the club also features blues on Thursdays, and the usual rock mixture the rest of the week. Admission prices vary from $3 to $7, with Tuesday nights free. Call (818) 769-2220.

Meanwhile, live musicians continue to crowd area coffeehouses-turned music venues, from the Common Grounds in Northridge, to the Coffee Junction in Tarzana, to Bookgrinders in Van Nuys.

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At Coffee Junction, co-owner and musician Sharon Bernson will herself play violin with the band Cornerstone on July 9 and 18. She will also perform original songs with singer-guitarist Kathy Crown on Aug. 11 and 20.

“It’s hard,” Bernson said of performing in her own club (co-owned by Linda Sherlin). “The hardest part is that if I perform by myself, I start worrying about people being seated and stuff like that. It gets crazy. That’s why I don’t do it that often.”

At Bookgrinders, located at 13321 Burbank Blvd., jazzman Chris Blondal performs tonight; jazz guitarist Chris Standring plays Saturday; and jazz keyboardist Julie Homi performs an instrumental concert Aug. 11 and 25. Admission to all performances is free. For more information, call (818) 988-4503.

“A Big Band Salute to Benny Goodman,” with the Four Aces, the Four Lads, Gisele MacKenzie and others, will be presented Saturday at the Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., in Glendale. Former Goodman vocalist Polly Podewell will also perform. Tickets are $21.50 to $24.50. For information, call (800) 233-3123.

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Meanwhile in the nearby Hollywood Bowl, pianist Van Cliburn will make a rare Los Angeles concert appearance July 11. The American musician will play music by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff and Copland with the Moscow Philharmonic, conducted by Vassily Sinaisky.

On July 12, the Los Angeles Philharmonic will be joined at the Bowl by conductor John Williams, violinist Itzak Perlman and singer Linda Ronstadt for an eclectic evening of music, from Tchaikovsky to Nelson Riddle’s pop arrangements. For information on Bowl concerts, call (213) 850-2000.

The Greek Theatre is also presenting a variety of musical styles, including Foreigner and the Doobie Brothers on Aug. 2 and 8; country singer Alan Jackson on Aug. 3; and Al Jarreau, Joe Sample and Roberta Flack on Aug. 6 and 7. For more information, call (213) 480-7575.