Fri. Nov. 29 -- Trumpeter Richard Grant leads a tradition-soaked combo featuring the cream of South L.A. jazzfolk. At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9pm (two sets); $20; www.theworldstage.org.
Fri. Nov. 29 -- Established Finnish folk-metal twirlers Ensiferum head a sympathetic bill with Finnish melodic deathsters Kalmah, plus distinctive black metal from Olympia's Abigail Williams (band, not colonial Salem witch accuser), Aenimus. At the EchoPlex, 1154 Glendale Blvd., Echo Park 90026; 8pm; $30; all ages; www.spacelandpresents.com.
Fri.-Sat. Nov. 29-30 -- After 38 years of peerless thrash, rumble, life and loss, Slayer have announced these will be the last two shows of their final world tour, back where they started. Strong support from proggy hardguys Primus, industrial vets Ministry, Pantera singer Philip H. Anselmo & the Illegals. At the Forum, 3900 Manchester Blvd., Inglewood 90305; 6pm; $50 and way up; www.ticketmaster.com.
Sat. Nov. 3 -- When Nedra Wheeler wheels that double bass in, you know her longstanding reputation will bring superb jazz performers and Afro groovers right behind. Read my live review from last year here. At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9pm (two sets); $20; www.theworldstage.org.
Sat. Nov. 30 -- Pianist Oscar Hernandez digs deep into the salsa-jazz rhythms with veteran saxist Justo Almario, plus bassist Oskar Cartaya and drummer Jimmy Branly. At Sam First, 6171 W. Century Blvd., L.A. 90045 (near LAX in front of Marriott Courtyard); 8 & 9:30pm; $20 plus one-drink minimum per set; full bar; snacks; small parking lot in rear, reduced-rate validated parking at nearby Joe's Auto Park; (424) 800-2006; www.samfirstbar.com.
Sat. Nov. 30 -- Elliott Caine plays trumpet with a solid mainstream jazz ensemble and keeps it close to the heart. At Colombo's Restaurant, 1833 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041; 9:30pm-midnight; no cover; (323) 254-9138.
Sun. Dec. 1 -- Ross Hammond & Alex Cline explore earthy regions of drony slide and sensitive drums. Opening is MetriLodic, saxist Eric Barber's vehicle for digesting his dreams with bass guitarist Tony Green and drummer/electronicist Breeze Smith. At Center for the Arts, 2225 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041; 7pm; $10; (626) 795-4989.
Sun. Dec. 1 -- King Diamond's shriek will pierce the corpsy eardrums of theatrically inclined Euro-metal fans. At the Wiltern, 3790 Wilshire Blvd., LA 90010; 6pm; $73-$127 resales available; (213) 388-1400; www.livenation.com.
Tues. Dec. 3 -- Upright bassist Anthony Shadduck abstractifies compellingly with his trio, and knows when to let the quiet speak. 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.
Wed. Dec. 4 -- Saxist Bob Sheppard strikes a nice balance between melody and adventure, with pianist Robert Rodriguez, bassist Alex Boneham and drummer Anthony Fung, who seems to be hitting the skins with everybody these days. At Mr. Musichead Gallery, 7420 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90046; 7:30pm; $15-$25; www.justjazz.tv.
Wed.-Sat. Dec. 4-7 -- Guitarist Joe Bonamassa's Rock Candy Funk Party is sold out except for first-come standing room (he's kinda famous and good); the revelry rolls with drummer Tal Bergman, guitarist Ron DeJesus, bassist Mike Merritt and keyboardist Rento Neto. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $55 & $45; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Thurs. Dec. 5 -- The duo of Bill Frisell & Julian Lage finds the previous generation's textural abstractive guitarist bouncing off his present-generation counterpart. A natural match. A CAP presentation at UCLA's Royce Hall; 8pm; $44-$59; www.cap.ucla.edu.
Thurs. Dec. 5 -- The Anesthesiacs tangle all kinds of strings including bass, guitar, steel and oud, the contributions of Joel Martin, Haskel Joseph, Owen Green and Bill Forth all corraled by drummerJoe Berardi. At Sunspace, 9683 Sunland Blvd., Shadow Hills 91040; 8-10pm; $10.