Fri.-Sat. Dec. 13-14 -- Melodiously rippling pianist Alan Pasqua forms a trio with bass avatar Darek Oles and drummer Conor Malloy. At Sam First, 6171 W. Century Blvd., L.A. 90045 (near LAX in front of Marriott Courtyard); 8 & 9:30pm; $25 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.
Fri.-Sat. Dec. 13-14 -- Josh Nelson & the Discovery Project features the post-traditional pianist and friends, often with inventive audiovisual augmentation. 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; $25; 21+; parking $9 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Fri.-Sat. Dec. 13-14 -- L.A. metal fans are sucked south for the Decibel Metal & Beer Fest, featuring the likes of Possessed, Nails, Intronaut, Gatecreeper and more (Fri.); and Carcass (pictured), Vio-lence, Schammasch, Xibalba and beyond (Sat.). At the Observatory, 3503 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana 92704; 6pm-1am Fri., 5pm-1am Sat.; $35-$85; all ages; www.ticketweb.com; www.decibelmagazine.com.
Sat. Dec. 14 -- Vibraphonist Nick Mancini pulls out his polished compositons and his trusted quartet with clarinetist John Tegmeyer, bassist Cooper Appelt and drummer James Yoshizawa. At West Hollywood Library, 625 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; 5pm; FREE.
Sat. Dec. 14 -- Goh Kurosawa taps & shreds with superhuman facility on outlandish instruments including the ghee-tarr. At a secret location in the downtown Arts District, 3:30pm; for details email yohgoh@gmail.com.
Sun. Dec. 15 -- Cornetist Bobby Bradford and friends including windman Vinny Golia present the last in a series of performances of his jazz suite "Sliding Home," memorializing Jackie Robinson. Also: relevant songs from Brian Motley. At Robinson Park, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena 91103; FREE tix by RSVP at sporras@cityofpasadena.net; light refreshments; info at www.baseballreliquary.org, (626) 791-7647.
Sun. Dec. 15 -- Elliott Caine blows trumpet vintage-style with his band. At the York Bar and Restaurant, 5018 York Blvd., Highland Park 90042; 7:30-10pm; no cover; (323) 255-9675.
Mon. Dec. 16 -- Unusual ensemble: guitarist Mike Baggetta, bassist Mike Watt and drummer Stephen Hodges, puttin' on the groove with visuals by Kio Griffith. 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. 17 -- A tribute to skins great Billy Higgins gets rolling with the right kind of folks: drummer Eric Harland (who followed Higgins in Charles Lloyd's band), multi-instrumentalist Terrace Martin and special guests. At Mr. Musichead Gallery, 7420 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90046; 7:30pm & 9:30pm; $35 per set; www.justjazz.tv.
Wed.-Thurs. Dec. 17-18 -- Precise bassist Ben Shepherd gathers an exceptional trio with top mates John Beasley (piano) and veteran Joe LaBarbera (drums). 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.
Thurs. Dec. 18 -- Nick Mancini (see Sat.). At Sunspace, 9683 Sunland Blvd., Shadow Hills 91040; 8-10pm; $10.
Thurs. Dec. 18 -- Elliott Caine (see Sun.). Blue Guitar Club at Arroyo Seco Golf Course, 1055 Lohman Lane, South Pasadena 91030; 7:30pm (two sets): $10-$15; (626) 769-3500; www.blueguitar.club.