Sat. Feb. 10 -- Jeff Parker, Gerald Clayton, Nick Mancini and Josh Nelson number among the dozen or more musicians lined up to raise some bux for the Whale, L.A.'s most reliable venue for fresh jazz. 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; $20; 21+; parking $9 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Sat. Feb. 10 -- Larry Koonse & Larry Goldings meld guitar & organ for a night of improvisational California sensuality. At Moss Theater in the Herb Alpert Educational Village of New Roads School, 3131 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica 90404; 8pm; $35 ($25 students); www.jazzbakery.org.
Mon. Feb. 12 -- Saxist Matt Otto puts a warm tone and a relaxed vibe in front of a seasoned quintet featuring guitarist Steve Cotter, keyboardist Gary Fukushima, bassist Ryan McGillicuddy and drummer Jason Harnell. 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.
Tues.-Wed. Feb. 13-14 -- Morton Subotnick was milking one of the first synthesizers when he created "Silver Apples of the Moon" in 1967; now he's got a whole junkyard full o' wires & knobs to realize his groundbreaking composition. Keep it loud! Then "Crowds and Power," based on a book by Elias Canetti, adds vocalist Joan La Barbara and visuals generator Lillevan for dramatic explorations. At REDCAT, 631 W. Second St., downtown 90012; 8:30pm; $30 (students $24); www.redcat.org.
Wed. Feb. 14 -- Trumpeter Elliott Caine's quintet provides a historically astute and easy-swinging backdrop for your Val Day sequestration. At Saladang Garden Restaurant, 383 S. Fair Oaks Blvd., Pasadena 91105; 7-10pm; no cover; (626) 793-5200.
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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.