Fri. Feb. 1 -- The Dexter Gordon Project pays tribute to the timeless tenor man and his wife's new biography via a star band: saxists Justo Almario & Teodross Avery, plus pianist Eric Reed, bassist Mike Gurrola and drummer Anthony Fung. At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 8 & 9:30pm; $20; www.theworldstage.org.
Fri. Feb. 1 -- This version of the groundbreaking early Brit jazz-rock group The Soft Machine embraces guitarist John Etheridge (since '74), bassist Roy Babbington (since '73), drummer John Marshall (since '72) and windman-keyboardist Theo Travis (since '06). At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9 & 11pm; $40; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Fri. Feb. 1 -- I See Hawks in L.A. (10:30pm) ply the acoustic version of their poetic modern country music. With fairy princess Gwendolyn (9:30) and Old Californio songwriter Rich Dembowski (8:30). At Mr. T’s, Highland Park Bowl, 5621 Figueroa St., Highland Park 90042; (323) 257-2695; www.highlandparkbowl.com.
Fri. Feb. 1 -- Hungering for Dio? Singer Andrew Freeman looks out for you with Last in Line, featuring Dio band greats Vinny Appice (drums) and Vivian Campbell (guitar), plus Ozzy bassist Phil Soussan. With The Hard Way, Tribulance, Captor of Sin, Blue Midnight. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 7pm; $30-$75; (310) 652-4202; www.whiskyagogo.com.
Fri. Feb. 1 -- Subtle, variegated, deep vibesman Stefon Harris takes the first slot of three consecutive big Bakery weekend bills with his exceptional Blackout Quintet, featuring alto man Casey Benjamin, pianist Marc Cary, bassist BurnissTravis and drummer Terreon Gully. At Moss Theater in the Herb Alpert Educational Village of New Roads School, 3131 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica 90404; 8pm; $35 ($25 students); www.jazzbakery.org.
Sat. Feb. 2 -- Tradition-plus pianist Eric Reed brings two of the same rhythm section he joined yesterday at World Stage, and adds tenor saxist Chris Lewis. Local stalwart Reed hits a real sweet spot in the post-bop spectrum. At Moss Theater in the Herb Alpert Educational Village of New Roads School, 3131 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica 90404; 8pm; $35 ($25 students); www.jazzbakery.org.
LATE ADD: Sat. Feb. 2 -- Keyboardist & drummer Joshua White & Alex Cline team for otherworldly jamz on the highest plane. And onetime Weather Report drummer Peter Erskine (one of Cline's main inspirations) is joining? Am I reading that right? At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9 & 10:30pm; $20; www.theworldstage.org.
Sun. Feb. 3 -- Windman Bennie Maupin expands past his Miles/Herbie roots into open pastures of chamber, blues and inner freedom with trumpeter Chris Williams, bassist Darek Oles, pianist David Arnay, drummer Kenny Sara and percussionist Eric McKain. At Moss Theater in the Herb Alpert Educational Village of New Roads School, 3131 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica 90404; 8pm; $35 ($25 students); www.jazzbakery.org.
Sun. Feb. 3 -- Featuring clarinetist Andrew Conrad, guitarist Maxwell Gualtieri, bassist Emilio Terranova and drummer Colin Woodford, Anthropic Ensemble draws Jimmy Giuffre comparison from Alex Cline. Opening is the chamberish nontraditional Coldwater Trio, a.k.a. cellist Michael Intriere, trumpeter Bruce Friedman and guitarist Haskel Joseph. At Center for the Arts, 2225 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041; 7pm; $10; (626) 795-4989.
Wed. Feb. 6 -- Pianist Josh Nelson gently widens the mainstream with bassist Alex Boneham, drummer Dan Schnelle and singer Kathleen Grace. At Mr. Musichead Gallery, 7420 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90046; 7:30pm; $20-$30; www.justjazz.tv.
Wed. Feb. 6 -- Van Morrison has never strayed far from jazzy, has 'e?. At the Wiltern, 3790 Wilshire Blvd., LA 90010; 7pm; just a few tix left at $200+; (213) 388-1400; www.livenation.com.
Thu. Feb. 7 -- All-embracing melodic vibesman Nick Mancini forms a cooled-in trio with percussionist Brad Dutz and bassist Bruce Lett. At Sunspace, 9683 Sunland Blvd., Shadow Hills 91040; 8-10pm; $10.
Thu. Feb. 7 -- Superjazz pianist Mike Garson ("Aladdin Sane") and funky guitarist Earl Slick ("Station to Station") head up A Bowie Celebration. At the Orpheum Theater, 842 S. Broadway, downtown 90014; 9pm; $50-$60 tix here.