Fri. Dec. 6 -- Vocal abstractionist Sunny Kim, sensual modern Bowie guitarist Ben Monder and omnivorous pianist Vardan Ovsepian submerge in meditative beauty. 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.
Fri.-Sat. Dec. 6-7 -- Guitarist Joe Bonamassa's Rock Candy Funk Party is sold out except for first-come standing room (guy has tone and history); the revelry rolls with drummer Tal Bergman, guitarist Ron DeJesus, bassist Mike Merritt and keyboardist Rento Neto. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $55 & $45; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Fri.-Sun. Dec. 6-8 -- '80s core jazz-rock gets updated with the hi-rated guitar & keyboard skills of Mike Stern & Jeff Lorber Fusion, with bassist Jimmy Haslip and drummer Dave Weckl, flag-bearers all. At Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; Fri.-Sat. 8:30pm, Sun. 7:30 & 9:30pm; $40/$30; (323) 466-2210; www.catalinajazzclub.com.
Sat. Dec. 7 -- High on Fire riffs & roars with the heaviest, as last year's psych-tinged "Electric Messiah" (a tribute to Lemmy) amply demonstrated. With Power Trip, Devil Master, Creeping Death. At the Regent Theater, 448 S. Main St., downtown 90013; 7pm; sold out unless you gots an access code, and I'll let you figure that out; 18+; www.ticketfly.com.
Sun. Dec. 8 -- The mystery guitarist rumored to be joining drummer Jason Harnell's group with saxist Matt Otto and bassist Karl McComas-Reichl is also playing at other L.A. clubs this week, and his name rhymes with Sven Wander. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $15; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com. (Also at Topanga Corral Mon.)
Sun. Dec. 8 -- Ain't too many widely acknowledged jazz-clarinet virtuosos anymore, so if your school made you gnaw the black stick in 4th grade as mine did, check out Ken Peplowski's quartet with pianist Glenn Zaleski, bassist Katie Thiroux and drummer Matt Witek. At Moss Theater in the Herb Alpert Educational Village of New Roads School, 3131 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica 90404; 8pm; $25-$35; www.jazzbakery.org.
Tues. Dec. 10 -- Journey to the grudgingly melodious side of modern metal with two of its most practiced exponents, Unearth (Boston) and Darkest Hour (D.C.). At 1720, 1720 E. 16th St., downtown 90021; doors 8pm; $20; all ages; full bar; food; website here.
Wed. Dec. 11 -- Alex Cline's Upeksha Ensemble takes you down roads of universal proportion and sudden enlightenments alongside the drummer-leader plus saxist Eric Barber, guitarist Michael Gregory Jackson, pianist Joshua White and bassist Miller Wrenn. Highly recommended. At Mr. Musichead Gallery, 7420 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90046; 7:30pm; $20-$30; www.justjazz.tv.
Thurs. Dec. 12 -- Ben Rosenbloom is a rarely heard yet deeply experienced pianist who uses space, rhythm and harmony with great intelligence and precision; his trio includes percussionist Brad Dutz and bassist Tony Green. At Sunspace, 9683 Sunland Blvd., Shadow Hills 91040; 8-10pm; $10.
Thurs. Dec. 12 -- San Diego's Cattle Decapitation plunges into the death-metal darkness with unmatched breadth and imagination; read my review of their exceptional new "Death Atlas" here. Decibel Magazine Pre-Fest with Atheist, Primitive Man, Author & Punisher, Vitriol. At the Regent Theater, 448 S. Main St., downtown 90013; 6:30pm; $25; 18+; www.ticketfly.com.