Impossible to pigeonhole by design, Modern Ancients are a trio that take the familiar and bend it to their considerable will. The group performs improvisational interpretations of standards, combining jazz with whatever it takes to get their musical point across — from avant garde moments to zydeco rhythms. Performing at Café-Bar Europa on Friday, Jan. 20, each performance is different, but fans of Blue Note-styled musical experimentation will find much to appreciate. Modern Ancients provide the perfect soundtrack to a night out at this intimate venue. • Modern Ancients perform at 9 p.m. on Friday Jan. 20 at Café-Bar Europa, 873 Turqouise St. 21 and up. No cover. www.theturquoise.com/wordpress Though evenings may be chilly now, the sunny island sounds of reggae and dub continue to have a hold on the beach-area music community. On Jan. 22, Azusa-based Bohdi Rock stops in at RT’s Longboard. There is an abundance of acts that call their music reggae these days, but many trend toward rock, with dub highlights. Meanwhile, Bohdi Rock hits all the right marks when it comes to rhythm and beat, with an EP out and a wealth of solid songs like its single, “Cali Life.” RT’s Longboard Sunday night reggae shows are a great way to ease into the workweek. • Bohdi Rock performs at 10 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 22 at RT’s Longboard, 1466 Garnet Ave. 21 and up. www.longboardgrill.com Always one of the more theatrical artists, it’s only natural that Alice Cooper has a tribute band dedicated to his music. Alice & The Cooper Gang, appears at 710 Beach Club on Jan. 27. Though the band keeps the special effects to a minimum, this is an excellent hard-rock group and it does its subject justice. The band concentrates on Cooper’s prime mid-1970s era with an arsenal of time-tested rock songs like “Eighteen,” “School’s Out” and “Elected.” If you’re a fan of classic rock, you can’t go wrong with this show, which also includes AC/DC tribute band, Back 2 Black. • Alice & The Cooper Gang performs at 9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 27 at the 710 Beach Club, 710 Garnet Ave. 21 and up. www.710bc.com Perhaps best known as frontman for local heroes Get Back Loretta, with a bit of luck Kevin Martin’s new album, “Throwback Pop” will get his music out in front of a national audience. Appearing at The Griffin on Jan. 28, Martin’s take on indie rock includes influences ranging from glam to powerpop, punk to classic rock — often with a lyrical social message and always with an excess of melody. While Martin’s music is completely his own, fans of groups like Jellyfish, Badfinger or early Queen will find much to appreciate in his songs. • Kevin Martin Band performs at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28 at The Griffin, 1310 Morena Blvd. 21 and up. www.thegriffinsd.com Formed just ahead of the mid-1990s swing revival, Big Time Operator remains the gold standard when it comes to swing or Big Band music. Appearing at Tio Leo’s on Jan. 28, the band has a pair of albums, has won five San Diego Music Awards and appeared in the film “Pearl Harbor.” Though frontman Warren Lovell is still the focus, the 10-man lineup has seen numerous changes over the years. However, if you want to hear the sounds of the 1940s and 1950s when dancing was part of a night out, nobody does it better than Big Time Operator. • Big Time Operator performs at 9 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28 at Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St. 21 and up. www.tioleos.com