Fri. Dec. 7 -- Whitechapel celebrate a decade of thrash & growl since their first Metal Blade album, "This Is Exile." With Chelsea Grin, Oceano, Slaughter To Prevail. At the Henry Fonda Music Box Theater, 6122 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 7:30pm; $25; (323) 464-0808; www.fondatheatre.com.
Fri. Dec. 7 -- Traditional-minded guitarist Jake Sucher and guitarist Steven Van Betten team up with a couple of drummers: Austin Pooley and Colin Woodford. At The Battery Books & Music, 26 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena 91101; 8pm; $5 suggested donation; (626) 376-9913.
Fri.-Sat. Dec. 7-8 -- A pageant for the Virgin of Guadalupe has been going on yearly for a long time; percussion master Christopher Garcia recommends it and participates himself. At Catedral de Nuestra Senor de Los Angeles, 555 W. Temple St., downtown 90012; 7:30pm; free (or $40 if you want a good perch); call LATC at (866) 811-4111.
Sat. Dec. 8 -- Veteran saxist Charles Owens shows off his wide knowledge and peerless chops with an all-star ensemble featuring pianist Theo Saunders, bassist Henry Franklin and drummer Don Littleton. One-stop shopping for mainstream standards, well-crafted originals and a taste of the avant. Read my 2011 L.A. Times article about him here. At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9pm (two sets); $20; www.theworldstage.org.
Wed. Dec. 12 -- These three have been collaborating in many different configurations, so why not a trio? Talking about Trevor Anderies, Daniel Rosenboom & Alex Noice (on drums, trumpet & guitar), some of our region's most reliable adventurers. At The Battery Books & Music, 26 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena 91101; 8pm; $5 suggested donation; (626) 376-9913.
Thurs. Dec. 13 -- Henry Cow guitarist Fred Frith, one of the earliest intruders on the '70s English progressive scene, leads a trio. Swell edgy opener, too: the viola-vocal-guitar trio of Eyvind Kang, Jessika Kenney & Jason Schimmel. At Zebulon, 2478 Fletcher Drive, Frogtown 90039; doors 8pm; $20; 21+; www.zebulon.la.
Thurs. Dec. 13 -- Garretson & Gorodetsky (with saxist Vince Meghrouni, drummer Brian Christopherson and bassist Michael Alvidrez) perform individualistic extensions of jazz, blues, samba and who-knows-what, each song an operettella. Watch their noirish new video here. At the Love Song Bar, 450 Main St., downtown 90013; 9pm sharp; FREE; food; full bar; 21+.
Thurs. Dec. 13 -- Saxist Noah Souza and guitarist Christian Molenaar combine with a drummer TBNL for suspicious underground activity. At The Battery Books & Music, 26 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena 91101; 8pm; $5 suggested donation; (626) 376-9913.