Fri. Feb. 22 -- Ralph Peterson, one of the most exciting drummers in jazz, pays tribute to his old mentor Art Blakey with The Messenger Legacy, featuring notable Blakey graduates Bobby Watson (sax), Bill Pierce (sax), Brian Lynch (trumpet) Essiet Essiet (bass) and Zaccai Curtis (piano). 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. 23 -- Guitarist Anthony Wilson lays an inviting jazz table for the whole family with stellar pianist Billy Childs, alto saxist Josh Johnson, bassist Joshua Crumbly and drummer Jay Bellerose. At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9 & 10:30pm; $20; www.theworldstage.org.
Sat. Feb. 23 -- Tackle autism and hear the entire 1968 "The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society" as presented by Wild Honey Orchestra under the direction of Rob Laufer, featuring members of the Cars, Blondie, REM, Tom Waits Band and many more luminaries including Terry Reid, Carla Olson, Steve Wynn, Chris Stamey, Kristian Hoffman and Syd Straw. At Alex Theater, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale 91203; 8pm; $30-$110; www.alextheatre.org.
Sun. Feb. 24 -- Former Ozzy guitarist Jake E. Lee's Red Dragon Cartel has dropped a couple of exceptional blues-rock records; the recent "Patina" sports an intriguing balance of punch and trip. At the Canyon Club, 28912 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills 91301; 9pm (but get there early and dine for a good seat); $24-$34; (818) 879-5016; www.canyonclub.net. Also Thurs. at the Whisky.
Sun. Feb. 24 -- Trumpeter John Daversa leads an involving fusoid unit. 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.
Mon. Feb. 25 -- Once associated mainly with New York, David Binney has settled in as an Angeleno regular, playing that driving, original sax around town and stepping up as a community mentor. 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.
Tues. Feb. 26 -- Piano Spheres presents rarefied 88er Vicki Ray and Flux Quartet violinist Tom Chiu playing "For John Cage" by Morton Feldman, accompanied by the great butoh dancer Oguri and dancer Roxanne Steinberg, both riveting auxiliaries. At the Colburn School's Zipper Hall, 200 S. Grand Ave., downtown 90012; 8pm; $35 (add $20 for each student) tickets here.
Tues. Feb. 26 -- Max Cavalera's Soulfly rumbles the deepest Brazilian metal and rainforest rhythm since Sepultura. With the heavy sock and borderline melody of Unearth, plus Sangre, Skinflint. At 1720, 1720 E. 16th St., downtown 90021; doors 6pm; $20; all ages; full bar; food; www.1720.la.
Wed. Feb. 27 -- Hankering for the marriage of harp & bass? Jaclyn Urik & Darryl Tewes will fix ya. At The Battery Books & Music, 26 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena 91101; 8pm; $5 suggested donation; (626) 376-9913.
Wed. Feb. 27 -- Stephan Crump's Rosetta Trio features the Vijay Iyer bassist plus Iyer/Threadgill acoustic guitarist Liberty Ellman and Jack McDuff electric guitarist Jamie Fox, playing it cool and bent. At Mr. Musichead Gallery, 7420 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90046; 7:30pm; $20-$30; www.justjazz.tv.
Thurs. Feb. 28 -- French pianist Jean-Michel Pilc makes every note count with economical phrasing and a sensual touch. Solo tonight. 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. 28 -- Trumpeter Bruce Friedman, cornetist Haskel Joseph and cellist Michael Intriere are Coldwater Trio, going where only they dare. At Sunspace, 9683 Sunland Blvd., Shadow Hills 91040; 8-10pm; $10.
Thurs. Feb. 28 -- Red Dragon Cartel. (See Sunday.) With Darkhorse Rising, Angeles, Garden of Eden, Az Iz, the Almas. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 7pm; $25 and up; (310) 652-4202; www.whiskyagogo.com.