King of the Icehouse

The holiday season brings familiar faces back to the Twin Cities while allowing Minnesota-based treasures such as drummer/bandleader Dave King to foster traditions with old friends. King's third annual takeover of the Icehouse commences Friday with his Trucking Company quintet. Coming off a new disc, the band recently added Minnesota native (and Brooklyn resident) Chris Morrissey on bass alongside the wonderful core of Chris Speed (reeds), Brandon Wozniak (sax) and Erik Fratzke (guitar). On Saturday, Fratzke slides over to bass for the classic Happy Apple trio with the ever-inventive Michael Lewis on sax. King, whose other trio work includes the Bad Plus and the contemplative Dave King Trio, is on a creative roll and worth catching in as many contexts as possible. (11 p.m. Fri.-Sat., Icehouse, Mpls.; $12, icehousempls.com)

Piano and voice

Eau Claire, Wis., native Geoff Keezer was the last in a dazzling line of pianists to go to finishing school with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. Playing with a mixture of innovation and aplomb, Keezer will be joined by vocalist Gillian Margot, whose taste finds her covering Joni Mitchell and writing her own lyrics to a George Cables tune. Her vocals are likewise warm and sophisticated. (7 p.m. Sun., Dunsmore Room at Crooners Lounge, Mpls.; $20-$35, croonersloungemn.com)

Five nights of jazz

Another artist on a multi-night spree, David Martin is celebrating the release of "Dark Star," his third collaboration with fellow guitarist and bassist Mike Doolin. It's fusion jazz with a dual ax attack that courses with effervescence and flows laconically. Martin also plays locally with a pair of Brazilian bands and in a singer-songwriter duo. And he provides plenty of options for jazz fans, with gigs next Wednesday at Vieux Carre and a week from Friday at Jazz Central in addition to the two shows listed below. (9:30 Mon. at Icehouse, Mpls., $8, icehousempls.com; and 7:30 Tue. at Black Dog, St. Paul, donation suggested.)

BRITT ROBSON