Fri.-Sat. Dec. 27-28 -- Tenor man Kenneth Whalum III (nephew of saxist Kirk Whalum and associate of Robert Glasper) blows gentle communication, with twists of modern spoken word and an original compositional stance. At the Blue Whale on the third level of Weller Court Plaza, south of East First Street between South Los Angeles Street and South San Pedro Street, Little Tokyo 90012; 9pm-midnight; $15; parking $5 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Sat. Dec. 28 -- Hepster, poet, journalist, historian, singer, dancer, C-melody saxist, DJ and all-around mover/shaker Phast Phreddie is visiting from the dark lands of the East, back in the Golden State, celebrating his golden years by driving his Auldsmobile to his 60th birthday party, hitting us with the golden auldies and remembering auld acquaintance. (But enough auld jokes; my fellow Capricorn remains younger than your correspondent.) Agent 00 Soul (Don Waller) shares the turntables. At Liquid Kitty, 11780 W. Pico Blvd., West L.A. 90064; 7pm till late; no cover; (310) 473-3707; www.thekitty.com.
Tues. Dec. 31 -- L.A. Jazz Collective umbrellas some of L.A.'s most involving players, like Damon Zick, Matt Otto, Gary Fukushima and a mess more; dunno who's on board for the New Year's Eve festivities, but it'll be good. Hoist a glass for Rocco Somazzi, whose birthday it is, even though he'll be taking care of business at his new restaurant in Oakland, Duende. There'll be some kind of package deal that wasn't posted yet when I wrote this; check the club's web site. At the Blue Whale on the third level of Weller Court Plaza, south of East First Street between South Los Angeles Street and South San Pedro Street, Little Tokyo 90012; 9pm-midnight; parking $5 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Tues. Dec. 31 -- Bigtime soul pianist Les McCann and fusion basher Alphonse Mouzon are among the bandmates helping singer Lee Hartley get over. At Typhoon Restaurant, 3221 Donald Douglas Loop South, Santa Monica 90405; 9pm; call for cover; (310) 390-6565; www.typhoon.biz.
Tues. Dec. 31 -- Long-running pop-metal slammers Kix ring out the old with "Blow My Fuse" and other subtle suggestions that dipped their dix in platinum during the golden days of hair. Also with Siren, 3 Parts Dead and more, but what's really got me drooling is Southern-rocking Stonebreed, featuring former WASP guitarist Chris Holmes, a man who exudes baddnuss from every pore. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 6pm; $40; www.whiskyagogo.com; (310) 652-4202.
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Read Don Heckman’s jazz picks here and MoshKing's metal listings here. Read John Payne's plutonic Bluefat.com here.