Fri. Jan. 15 -- Munyungo Jackson's Jungle Jazz encompasses the Miles/Stevie/Zawinul percussionist plus violinist Karen Briggs, keyboardist Ed Brown, guitarist Errol Cooney, bassist Edwin Livingston and slamboppin drummer Gene Coye. It will cook. 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; 21+; parking $5 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Fri.-Sat. Jan. 15-16 -- Van Morrison sings whatever the hell he feels like, blues, country, Irish folk, and maybe a hit or two, but don't shout requests or he might kick ya. In any case, he will inflect his delivery with casual jazz twists and find rhythms within the rhythms that you didn't know were possibilities. The original. At the Shrine Auditorium, 665 W. Jefferson Blvd., downtown 90007; 8pm; Fri. $85-$150, Sat. sold out; all ages; www.goldenvoice.com.
Fri.-Sun. Jan. 15-16 -- Jerk to the '70s-style fusion with polyrhythmic drummer Simon Phillips (Jeff Beck, Phil Manzanera, Derek Sherinian et al.) and Protocol II, featuring Andy Timmons, Steve Weingart and Ernest Tibbs. At Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 8:30 & 10:30pm; $25-$30; (323) 466-2210; www.catalinajazzclub.com.
Sat. Jan. 16 -- Sensitive guitarist-composer Kurt Rosenwinkel goes it solo, up close & personal. A presentation of the Jazz Bakery's Movable Feast at the Musicians Institute, 1655 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood 90028; 8:30pm; $25; www.jazzbakery.org.
Sat. Jan. 16 -- Slipsliding ex-Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland fusionizes with his most recent version of Ohm, adding former 'Deth drummer Nick Menza to the usual trio with bassist Rob Pagliari. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $25; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Sat. Jan. 16 -- Classic-rock parodists The Title Trackers join in "Tracking Down the Joshua Tree," a discussion about musical obsession moderated by L.A. Weekly music editor Andy Hermann and featuring the relentless Ernie Navarre, who found the site of the photo on the cover of U2's "The Joshua Tree." The Trackers also premiere the video for their song "Chopping Down the Joshua Tree" and perform a set of title tracks that the Doors, the Stones et al. should have written but didn't. At Blitzstein Museum of Art, 428 N. Fairfax Ave., L.A. 90036; 8pm; $10 donation.
Sun. Jan. 17 -- Rootsmeisters Rick Shea and I See Hawks in L.A. down the hoes from the perspectives of the honky tonk and the psychedelic ranch respectively. At McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica 90405; 8pm; $20; (310) 828-4497; www.mccabes.com.
Sun. Jan. 17 -- Hazey Jane singer Karen Landau ventures into the deep, dark, mythic folk forest with guitarist Michael Landau, bassist Reggie Hamilton and, co-starring on Charles Lloyd's hushed new "I Long To See You," subtle steel guitarist Greg Leisz. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $15; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Sun. Jan. 17 -- Trumpeter Elliott Caine's ensemble finds a solid niche in the more soulful regions of mainstream jazz . At the York Bar and Restaurant, 5018 York Blvd., Highland Park 90042; 7:30-10pm; no cover; (323) 255-9675.
Tues. Jan. 19 -- Rather than the acoustic intercontinental music he's been expanding on lately, Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick trips the fusionistic funk in bassist Stu Hamm's trio with drummer Joel Taylor. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $25; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Thurs. Jan. 21 -- L.A. Guns guitarist Tracii Guns celebrates his birthday (or is it NAMM's birthday?) with heavy rock and a can of Aqua Net. Electric Junkies, Rusted Stone, Vetted and Anema Inside support. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 7pm; $20; www.whiskyagogo.com; (310) 652-4202.
* * *
Read Don Heckman’s jazz picks here. Read John Payne's plutonic Bluefat.com here.