THURSDAY JAZZ MARCUS SHELBY QUINTET San Francisco bassist Marcus Shelby has been a creative force in the Bay Area jazz scene for some three decades, often creating ambitious large-scale works for his jazz orchestra celebrating figures like abolitionist Harriet Tubman and institutions like the Negro league baseball. As the artistic director of Healdsburg Jazz, he’s expanded the already acclaimed festival with a new winter edition, and he’s no less busy at home with his quintet of well-traveled improvisers. He’s joined in the rhythm section by versatile Oakland pianist Greg Jacobs and San Jose drummer Jemal Ramirez, a Shelby collaborator since the turn of the century. Trumpeter Christopher Clarke and alto saxophonist/flutist Philippe Vieux make up the potent front line. – ANDREW GILBERT INFO: Thu, 7:30pm, Sound Room, 3022 Broadway, Oakland. $30. 510.708.9691. THURSDAY R&B NIECEY LIVINGSINGLE Join a Bay Area talent this Thursday as she walks in her truth. Gifted with an impressive five-octave range, Niecey LivingSingle is a tour-de-force of strength, passion and power. In fact, along with receiving multiple Bay Area awards, the Billboard Music Awards named her the Best R&B Female Performer of the Year. No wonder she’s shared the stage with names like the Delfonics, Patti Labelle and Tony! Toni! Toné! Joining her are Corinthian D Platinum, Mico Soul (Michael Nelson) and host Gerry Dove for a night that promises honest reflection and soulful deliverance. – MAT WEIR INFO: Thu, 8pm, Yoshi’s, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. $29-$49. 510.238.9200. FRIDAY COMEDY RALPH BARBOSA Ralph Barbosa’s laid-back comedy turns quiet moments and tiny anecdotes into stand-up gold. He sneaks up on you with a subtle, even delivery that manages to land hard-hitting punchlines without shouting for attention. Since his HBO special dropped in 2022, he’s had sold-out venues across North America, a debut on The Tonight Show and millions of views on his Comedy Central set, with a new special on the way. Barbosa is quietly carving out a space in comedy where wit meets unassuming charm. – SONYA BENNETT-BRANDT INFO: Fri, 7pm, Fox Theater, 1807 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. $56-$89. 510.302.2250. FRIDAY AFRO-BRAZILIAN SAMBADÁ SambaDá has united the Americas for over two decades with their signature samba-reggae-funk. With support from musicians from a wide range of styles, the band unifies the vibrant percussion of South and Central America with well-known and well-loved reggae beats. In SambaDá’s music, song and dance are always wedded, guided by Brazilian natives Papiba Godinho, a master of the Afro-Brazilian acrobatic/martial art Capoeira, and Dandha Da Hora, a celebrated dancer rooted in the Afro-Brazilian traditions of Bahia, Salvador and Carnival. – SBB INFO: Fri, 8pm, Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. $21/adv, $25/door. 510.525.5099. FRIDAY HIP-HOP SEIJI ODA & LIL RICEFIELD Real trailblazers coin a term for their genre. That’s the enviable status Seiji Oda reached with his creation of lo-fi hyphy, a surprising mix of rap, jazz and Japanese city pop. The Oakland-raised artist grew up listening to up-tempo Bay Area hip-hop but also loves a calming melody—dual influences yielding a fascinating collection of gentle yet intense songs. In May, he told KQED, “The industry tries to lump Asian artists into one vague genre, [but] we’re not all gonna fit on the Jasmine or Tapioca playlist.” – ADDIE MAHMASSANI INFO: Fri, 9pm, Cornerstone, 2367 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. $25. 510.214.8600. SATURDAY FOLK LIGHTNIN’ LUKE Portland-reared, Charleston-based Lightnin’ Luke has rampaged around the Pacific Northwest alt-folk scene for years, playing in a tangle of bands with overlapping personnel and songbooks.  Luke, a potent vocalist, wildman fiddler and crafty songwriter, has toured and recorded with acts such as the Bridge City Sinners, Yes Ma’am, Tejon Street Corner Thieves, Clyde and the Milltailers, and King Strang. While no longer based in Oregon, Lightnin’ Luke’s indelibly linked to Portland’s prolific Flail Records, appearing on most of the indie label’s catalog and imbuing the music with its own weird-as-we-want-to-be Stumptown identity. Leading his own combo, Lightnin’ lets his freak flag fly. – AG INFO: Sat, 8pm, Ivy Room, 860 San Pablo Ave., Albany. $15. 510.526.5888. SATURDAY DANCE SOLSTICE 2024 The best way to get to know the UpSwing Aerial Dance company is on the year’s longest night. Celebrating the winter solstice with two shows during “one magical night,” the annual event guarantees a stunning display of aerial artistry and live music specifically selected to enhance the experience. A screening of the award-winning short film, Sequoia Spirits, shares the brilliance and beauty of Mendocino’s redwood groves, proving nature and art exist in harmony. Studio 12 invites audience members to participate in a spirit-awakening preshow, an interactive environment designed by Max Bora. Center the soul and see gorgeous physical art while welcoming the sun’s return. – LOU FANCHER INFO: Sat, 8pm, Studio 12, 2525 Eighth St., Berkeley. $35. 510.388.2489. SUNDAY NEW AGE BARBARA HIGBIE Grammy-nominated Higbie is the Bay Area’s not-so-secret treasure. Her work spans the “islands” known as classical, jazz, folk and world music. The composer, pianist, fiddler and singer-songwriter arrives with notable buddies: guitarist Vicki Randle, percussionist Michaelle Goerlitz, cellist Mia Pixley, bassist Kofy Brown, mandolinist Jasper Manning and Seattle music comedy artist Lisa Koch. It is impossible to imagine a half-dozen more hangout-able artists, so get those stockings stuffed, build a tower of presents under the tree, light a candle and head to the Freight for Higbieland. – LF INFO: Sun, 7pm, Freight & Salvage. 2020 Addison St., Berkeley. $39/adv, $44/door. 510.644.2020. SUNDAY HIP-HOP LARUSSELL In his viral 2021 freestyle, LaRussell said, “I don’t always win, but I always take the risk.” The Bay Area rapper, who hails from Vallejo, has spent an incredible few years building his career, recently performing a triumphant show with a big group of his friends on NPR’s Tiny Desk. He embraces the Bay’s hyphy culture and the rich community behind it. His independent collective, Good Compenny, supports other artists without requiring them to give up ownership of their art, and allows people to pay what they want for shows, merch and music. – AM INFO: Sun, 2pm, Crybaby, 1928 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Offer-based admission. TUESDAY HOLIDAY MERRY CHRISTMAS Christmas is for everyone—that’s the message from one Bay Area Jewish atheist pianist. Sam Rudin, owner of the Back Room and the Jewish atheist pianist in question, invites everyone to his for-everyone holiday concert. Despite the “somewhat flippant headline,” as Rudin calls it, the show is a mix of holiday classics while leaving tunes like “Frosty” and “Rudolph” to the other shmucks. And for those of the tribe, don’t worry, he promises to avoid the “obligatory chorus of ‘Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel.’” So, for those who love Christmas, this Jewish atheist pianist has you covered like applesauce—or sour cream—on latkes. – MW INFO: Tue, 8pm, Back Room, 1984 Bonita Ave., Berkeley, $14. 510.654.3808.