Select chronological listings.
The LAX-area bar Sam First offers 7:30pm and 9pm jazz shows, in person and sometimes STREAMING. Fri. Dec. 9: the spiderweb intelligence of guitarist Larry Koonse, saxist Chuck Manning, bassist Darek Oles and drummer Jason Harnell in L.A. Jazz Quartet. Sat. Dec. 10: some of L.A.'s best in guitarist Anthony Wilson Quartet featuring Gerald Clayton, Joshua Crumbly & Jay Bell. Fri. & Sat. Dec. 16 & 17: John Escreet Seismic Shift. Thurs. Dec. 22: David Roitstein & Larry Koonse. Look here for full schedule and options.
ETA, a bar in Highland Park, often books jazz. Check in here. Fri. Dec. 9: do-it-all saxist Nicole McCabe quartet with Logan Kane, Matthew Stubbs & Myles Martin. Fri. Dec. 16: Horace Bray, Gene Campbell & Gene Coye.
The Baked Potato in Universal City presents fusion (etc.) concerts at 8 & 10pm. Fri. & Sat. Dec. 9 & 10: Rock Candy Funk Party featuring Joe Bonamassa. Wed.-Fri. Dec. 14-16: Nerve Bundle featuring Steve Lukather, Jeff Babko, Jorgen Carlsson and Gregg Bissonette. Sat. & Sun. Dec. 17 & 18: Mike Stern. Tues. & Wed. Dec. 27 & 28: Donati-Machacek Band. Thurs. Dec. 29: Bunny Brunel CAB. Fri. Jan. 13: Cosmosquad. Tues. Jan. 17: Mike Keneally & Beer for Dolphins. Thurs. & Fri. Jan. 19 & 20: Jeff Lorber Fusion. Tues. Jan. 24: Dan Rosenboom Project. Thurs. Feb. 16: Nili Brosh. Full schedule here.
The Wiltern (Wilton & Western) occasionally harbors metal. Sun. Dec. 11: the magnificent howling thunder of Blackie Lawless and WASP, blasting just the hits, since there's no new record, but few will complain; word is they'll resurrect "F*ck Like a Beast" if you scream for that encore. Full calendar here.
Just Jazz presents jazz at Hollywood's Music Head Gallery. Wed. Dec. 14: what appears to be the final show in this excellent series booked by LeRoi Downs, featuring perhaps the most sensitive tenor saxist of his generation, Mark Turner, in a trio with drummer Damion Reed & bassist Eric Revis. Website here.
The World Stage in Leimert Park hosts Friday 8pm PT LIVE STREAMS of righteous jazz; join in here for live concerts and here for replays of past shows (Charles Owens, Roberto Miranda, Randy Gloss, many more) on its YouTube channel, which you can watch during the holidays while the Stage is dark for live events. Donations encouraged here.
Sat. Dec. 17: Amon Amarth, Carcass, Obituary and Cattle Decapitation pillage Inglewood's Forum. Tickets here.
The Mint (Pico & Crescent Heights) has mostly Sunday jazz shows. Sun. Dec. 18: Corbin Jones Holiday Big Band and Sam Hirsh Trio. Sun. Jan. 8: Glen Cashman Quartet and Sam Hirsh Trio. Sun. Jan. 15: Birds and Sam Hirsh Trio. Sun. Jan. 22: Julie Zhu Quartet and Sam Hirsh Trio. Sun. Jan. 29: Paul Kreibich Group and Sam Hirsh Trio. Sun. Feb. 5: Friends of Ampa Jazz Night and Sam Hirsh Trio. Check listings here.
Keep up with the well-curated Monday-night Vernacular New-Music Series at Oracle Tavern downtown here. Mon. Dec. 19: TBA.
Catalina's Jazz Club in Hollywood hosts mostly mainstream jazz and singers, but there are exceptions. Thurs. & Fri. Dec. 29 & 30: Pete Escovedo. Check full calendar here.
The Whisky on Sunset Strip books metal etc. Sat. Dec. 31: L.A. Guns. Thurs. Jan. 12: HR of Bad Brains. Fri. Jan. 13: 45 Grave. Sat. Feb. 25: Vio-lence. Fri. May 13: Lynch Mob. Sun. June 4: Loudness. Calendar here. Tues. June 6: Stryper.
Vibrato, a luxurious restaurant high up in Bel Air, books mostly mainstream jazz. Thurs. Jan. 12: Pete Escovedo. Full schedule here.
Alva's Showroom in San Pedro brings in some intriguing music from the edges in addition to tributes and stuff. Sat. & Sun. Jan. 14 & 15: Mike Keneally & Beer for Dolphins. Full lineup here.
Atwater's adventurous avant/modern/world club Zebulon offers surprises from the present and past. Wed. Jan. 25: Fred Frith. Full calendar here.
The Canyon in Agoura Hills books its share of metal, fusion and original good stuff. Sat. Jan. 28: shredstress Orianthi. Fri. Feb. 24: Ace Frehley. Calendar here.
Downtown's Disney Hall presents some jazz and events of note beyond classical. Tues. Jan. 31: taiko-drum thunder from Kodo. Thurs. & Fri. March 16 & 17: Ziggy Marley. Sun. April 2: Herbie Hancock. Tickets here.
Highland Park's Lodge Room occasionally books jazz, metal and heft. Sat. & Sun. Feb. 4 & 5: Sunn O))) Shoshin Duo. Full schedule here.
UCLA'S Center for the Art of Performance has jazz programming. Thurs. Feb. 23: MVF Band. Calendar here.
The Regent downtown books some heavy music. Sun. Feb. 26: Morbid Angel. Full lineup here.
1720 (east of downtown, south of the 10 freeway) books metal etc. Tues. March 21: The Acacia Strain. Full calendar here.
The Broad Stage in Santa Monica holds occasional jazz presentations. Fri. March 23: Maria Schneider Orchestra presents "Data Lords." Tickets here.
Downtown's Teragram Ballroom occasionally presents heavy and improvisational music. Wed. March 29: Soulfly. Calendar here.
Inglewood's midsize YouTube Theater brings variety programming. Fri. June 2: metal with Helloween, Hammerfall. Calendar here.
2220 Arts + Archives (Beverly Blvd. near Alvarado) hosts a variety of cultural presentations including jazz & electronic. Listings here.
Piano Spheres always has topflight outward programming from the classically trained world at the Thayer or Zipper Hall downtown. Calendar here.
Keep up with L.A. Jazz Society events, including its Young Musician Showcases, here.
The Jazz Bakery is again presenting shows at various venues. Tickets and info here.