Fri. Feb. 21 -- Acclaimed violinist Karen Briggs does everything from urban soul to classical to hip-hop, and you can't sit still. At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9pm (two sets); $25; www.theworldstage.org.
Fri. Feb. 21 -- A consortium of the hottest names in '80s post-bop: The Cookers, featuring tenor man Billy Harper, bassist Cecil McBee, pianist George Cables, trumpeter Eddie Henderson, drummer Billy Hart, trumpeter David Weiss and alto man Donald Harrison. At Moss Theater in the Herb Alpert Educational Village of New Roads School, 3131 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica 90404; 8:30pm; $30; www.jazzbakery.org.
Fri.-Sun. Feb. 21-23 -- A consortium of the hottest names in funked-up '80s fusion (though they ain't telling us who): Miles bassist Marcus Miller and reliable friends. At Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 8:30 & 10:30pm (Sun. 7:30 & 9:30pm); $40-$45; (323) 466-2210; www.catalinajazzclub.com.
Sat. Feb. 22 -- Alex Cline's Limitless Light Ensemble pays tribute to the late AACM saxist-composer Joseph Jarman with a nine-member elevation including singer Dwight Trible and saxist Phillip Greenlief in a benefit for the World Stage. Read my review of a recent Limitless performance here. Highly recommended. At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9pm (two sets); $20; www.theworldstage.org.
Sat. Feb. 22 -- Saxist Bob Sheppard quietly nails every note with a polished quartet featuring guitarist Larry Koonse, bassist Alex Boneham and drummer Mark Ferber. 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. 22 -- Jizzy Pearl's Love/Hate ("Blackout in the Red Room") revive the gritty side of 1990 glam. With Tennessee Werewolves, Black Star Sinners,Whiskey Dogz, Lazy Dream, Heavyness. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 7pm; $20; (310) 652-4202; www.whiskyagogo.com.
Sun. Feb. 23 -- Wayback jazz keyboardist Lonnie Liston Smith heads a postmodern bill with The Katalyst, Cut Chemist, Garth Trinidad. At the Lodge Room, 104 N. Ave. 56, Highland Park 90042; 6pm (sold out), 9pm show added; $30; all ages; full bar; (323) 509-2861; www.lodgeroomhlp.com.
Sun. Feb. 23 -- It's experimental/ambient night with the guitar-drums-sax trio of Alvaro Domene, Clint Dodson & Patrick Shiroishi, plus the cornet-bass duo of Dan Clucas & Thomas Havasu, plus Marc Merza, plus Korean folk miners XTC, plus DJ Ghost Hands. At the Lexington, 129 E. Third St., downtown 90013; doors 9pm; FREE; 21+; (213) 291-5723; lexbarla.com.
Wed. Feb. 26 -- A pianist of exceptional touch and imagination, Gerald Clayton (Charles Lloyd, Gerald Wilson) duets with guitarist Marcel Camargo. At Mr. Musichead Gallery, 7420 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90046; 8pm; $15-$25; food, beer, wine on the patio; www.justjazz.tv.
Wed. Feb. 26 -- Pianist Thomas Kotcheff plays "Songs of Insurrection," Frederic Rzewski's skein drawn from protest songs worldwide. Stock up. At the Santa Monica Public Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica 90401; 7:30pm; free; smpl.org; (310) 458-8600.
Thurs. Feb. 27 -- A tribute to Dexter Gordon in the sax legend's hometown? You know it's gonna be real, especially at this venue, where the roots run deep. At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 8pm (two sets); $20; www.theworldstage.org.
Thurs. Feb. 27 -- Pushmodern saxist David Binney keeps on residing with a young crop of stargazers. 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.
Thurs. Feb. 27 -- Singers/instrumentalists Garretson & Gorodetsky ply their curious blend of songwriterly exurban jazz in full quintet format with saxist Vince Meghrouni, bassist Michael Alvidrez and drummer Brian Christopherson. At Sunspace, 9683 Sunland Blvd., Shadow Hills 91040; 8-10pm; $10.
Thurs. Feb. 27 -- The Title Trackers create title songs that rockers forgot to write, such as "Morrison Hotel" and "The Joshua Tree," and their parodies are as hilarious as they are skillful. Having now added "Beauty and the Beat" and "Armed Forces" to their repertoire, the Trackers are opening the night with a panel discussion on the Go-Go's and Elvis Costello moderated by Rick Damigella and featuring journalist Chris Willman, publicist Susan Von Seggern, and MetalJazz's own Greg Burk, an eye- and earwitness to the Go-Go's earliest development. At Molly Malone's Irish Pub, 575 S. Fairfax Ave., LA 90036; 7pm doors, 8pm panel, 9pm show; $10; www.mollymalonesla.com; (323) 935-1577.