Fri.-Sun. Dec. 14-16 -- King o' fusion guitar Mike Stern always has new juice to fuse; his all-star band features drummer Dave Weckl, bassist Tom Kennedy and saxist Bob Malach. Read my review from a year ago here. LATE ADD: Leni Stern will be sitting in on ngoni and guitar! At Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 8:30 & 10:30pm (Sun 7:30 & 9:30pm); $25-$40; (323) 466-2210; www.catalinajazzclub.com.
Sat. Dec. 15 -- Groundbreaking Japanese noiseman Merzbow (Masami Akita) makes a rare L.A. appearance. With underground generator Prurient (Domninick Fernow) and pianist-composer Kelly Moran. At the Regent Theater, 448 S. Main St., downtown 90013; 9pm; $20 advance; 18+; www.ticketfly.com.
Sun. Dec. 16 -- Double Naught Spy Car, I See Hawks in L.A., The Rotters, The Amadans, Insect Surfers and lots of other bands celebrate "Something Shocking From the Stocking," a heavyweight Xmas record incorporating Black Sabbath and other metallic influences. Buy it here. At Café NELA, 1906 Cypress Ave., Glassell Park 90065; 3:30pm; $10; beer only; 21+; www.cafenela.net.
Tues. Dec. 18 -- Yngwie Malmsteen, Zakk Wylde, Steve Vai, Tosin Abasi and Nuno Bettencourt blaze heavy guitar every which way in the "Generation Axe" extravaganza. At the Wiltern, 3790 Wilshire Blvd., LA 90010; 7pm; $30-$155; (213) 388-1400; www.livenation.com.
Wed. Dec. 19 -- Jonthan Pinson's Boom Clap exploits the drummer's megachops behind jazz of beauty and abstract adventure. At Mr. Musichead Gallery, 7420 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90046; 6:30pm; $20-$30; www.justjazz.tv.
Wed. Dec. 19 -- Molly Lewis whistles (lipwise) with scary expertise, accompanied by a full band. John Carroll Kirby opens. At Zebulon, 2478 Fletcher Drive, Frogtown 90039; 8pm; free if you register; 21+; www.zebulon.la.
Thurs. Dec. 20 -- Vocal extremist Anna Homler unpacks her suitcase of noisemaking junk to improvise fearlessly with two of L.A.'s best, bassist Jeff Schwartz and windman Charles Sharp. At Industry Café and Jazz, 6039 Washington Blvd., Culver City 90232; 8pm; pay what seems right; Ethiopian & soul food, beer & wine; (310) 202-6633; www.industrycafela.com.
Thurs.-Fri. Dec. 20-21 -- Al Jourgensen unretires the industrial grind of Ministry. With Carpenter Brut, Alien Weaponry. At the Henry Fonda Music Box Theater, 6122 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 7:45pm; $61; (323) 464-0808; www.fondatheatre.com.
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RIP James Jordan. Saxist, educator, community activist and arts advocate, but most widely known as Ornette Coleman's friend and manager, James Jordan died recently at 87, three years after Coleman. In addition to many other accomplishments, Jordan coordinated the enormous undertaking of Coleman's major symphonic work "Skies of America," and initiated Coleman's '70s association with Columbia Records. Every musician wants a friend like Jordan; when you were talking to him, it felt like everything was gonna be all right.