Fri..-Mon. Feb. 2-5 -- Rock Candy Funk Party is topmost guitar tonemaster Joe Bonamassa slamming the blues-rock with drummer Tal Bergman, guitarist Ron De Jesus, keyboardist Renato Neto and bassist Mike Merritt. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $45; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Sat. Feb. 3 -- Much-chosen drummer Dan Schnelle gets melodically modern with his own star group: keyboardist Jeff Babko, guitarist Marcel Camargo, alto man Josh Johnson and bassist Dave Robaire (who's shared many a stage with Dan). 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 $9 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Mon.-Tues. Feb. 5-6 -- Drummer Simon Phillips (Michael Schenker, Judas Priest, Derek Sherinian) brings back his hi-tech fusational Protocol, featuring master guitar blazer Greg Howe plus bassist Ernest Tibbs and keyboardist Dennis Hamm. At Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 8:30pm; $25; (323) 466-2210; www.catalinajazzclub.com.
Thurs. Feb. 8 -- Don't ask Siri where the soul of the blues still lives, ask singer Barbara Morrison. At Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 8:30pm; $20; (323) 466-2210; www.catalinajazzclub.com.
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Read Don Heckman’s jazz picks here. Read John Payne's plutonic Bluefat.com here. Read Brick Wahl's noirish music commentaries here.