Fri.-Sat. Jan. 10-11 -- Barbara Morrison, the truest jazz-blues singer west of the Mississippi, celebrated her 70th birthday last September and keeps hittin' it hard, this time flanked by trumpeter Sam Hankins' band (Fri.) and singer Dante Chambers (Sat.). At Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 8:30pm; $25; (323) 466-2210; www.catalinajazzclub.com.
Sat. Jan. 11 -- Super modern instro-dominated progressive-metal night: Mestis (featuring guitarist Javier Reyes from Animals As Leaders and bassist Joe Lester from Intronaut), Victoria (featuring drummer Matt Garstka from Animals As Leaders), Cartographer, Quietude, Here at the End, Mahaverta. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 7pm; $20; (310) 652-4202; www.whiskyagogo.com.
Tues. Jan. 14 -- You need not fear when the best free jammers get it in gear, tonight Dutchman Thomas Ankersmit on the rarely played prototype Serge Modular Systems analog synthesizer, plus the star trio Jones Jones, featuring bassist Mark Dresser, windman Larry Ochs and percussionist Vladimir Tarasov. A presentation of the Unwrinkled Ear, Black Editions and Angel City Arts at Zebulon, 2478 Fletcher Drive, Frogtown 90039; doors 8pm; $10; 21+; www.zebulon.la.
Tues. Jan. 14 -- SkolHamm Asylum is shreddin' Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick plus bassist Stu Hamm and drummer Joel Taylor. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $30; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Wed. Jan. 15 -- New Zealand drummer Virgil Donati can keep more weird beats going than anyone else; his Super Band features keyboardist Chris Clark, guitarist Andre Nieri, bassist Junior Braguinha and vocalist William Rottman. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $25; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Wed. Jan. 15 -- The always ambitious local multi-instrumentalist and conceptualist Dexter Story brings forth his "Bronzeville Little Tokyo Suite." At Mr. Musichead Gallery, 7420 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90046; 8pm; $15-$20; www.justjazz.tv.
Wed. Jan. 15 -- Venice composer Daniel Rothman introduces two new works played by (1) classical guitarist Mak Grgic and (2) the Los Angeles Saxophone Ensemble, led by Ulrich Krieger. At the Santa Monica Public Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica 90401; 7:30pm; free; smpl.org; (310) 458-8600.
Thurs. Jan. 16 -- Avant stalwarts Ellen Burr (flute) and Jeff Schwartz (bass) kick off a season of Thirdsdays with a spontaneous jam including guitarist Christian Amigo and drummer Brock Avery. 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. Jan. 16 -- Karl Denson's Tiny Universe brings the hard-funkin' jazz jam. With Brandon "Taz" Niederauer. At the Lodge Room, 104 N. Ave. 56, Highland Park 90042; 9pm; $25; all ages; full bar; (323) 509-2861; www.lodgeroomhlp.com.
Thurs.-Sat. Jan. 16-18 -- Judas Priest/Michael Schenker/Joe Satriani/Derek Sherinian drummer Simon Phillips' Protocol fuses it ever so smartly. At Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 8:30pm; $30-$40; (323) 466-2210; www.catalinajazzclub.com.