The 29th annual “Exile on Kettner Blvd.”
The Rolling Stones have never released a Christmas record, unlike The Beatles, who — between 1963 and 1969 — made limited-edition Christmas singles that were mailed each year to their fan club members.
But if Christmas and the Stones seem as unlikely a pairing as gingerbread and whiskey, the still-rocking English band has inspired an annual San Diego holiday music tradition dating back to 1993.
That was when the Casbah hosted the first edition of “Exile on Kettner Blvd.,” which was created as a festive vehicle for musicians and fans to celebrate Christmas Eve with a live, all-Stones soundtrack.
Named after the band’s landmark 1972 double-album, “Exile on Main Street,” this free Casbah gig has been a multi-generational affair for at least the past three years.
“My son, Henry, is 19 and he was 16 the first time he guested on a few songs for the ‘Exile’ night. We drafted him for the full show after that!” said guitarist, singer and musical dircetor Andrew McKeag.
The elder McKeag was 21 when he made his Casbah debut with the band Liquid Sunshine, circa 1990.
Saturday’s “Exile” show will feature various Stones’ classics, along with a front-to-back performance of each song on the band’s 1973 album, “Goat Heads Soup.”
The band also includes Joey Guevara on keyboards, harmonica and vocals, George Vidaurri on bass and vocals, Paul Brewin on drums and Jonny Viau on sax, plus a surprise guest or three.
9 p.m. Saturday. The Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd., Middletown. Free (must be 21 or older to attend). (619) 232-4355. casbahmusic.com
Brian Levy and Mikan Zlatkovich
A San Diego native, tenor saxophonist Brian Levy is the assistant chair of Jazz Studies Department at the New England Conservatory of Music.
Now 45, he returns here each summer and winter to visit his parents.
When he does, the agile saxophonist performs at the all-ages Dizzy’s, where he first played as a teenager with trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos.
Levy will be back at Dizzy’s on Thursday with the versatile pianist Mikan Zlatkovich, a longtime collaborator. They’ll be accompanied by bassist Ben Wanicur and drummer Kevin Kanner.
Their concert that will mix original compositions and spontaneous creations with with favorites by John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins.
8 p.m. Thursday. Dizzy’s at Arias Hall (behind the Musician’s Association building), 1717 Morena Boulevard, Bay Park. $20. dizzysjazz.com
John Murray Quartet
Having earned a full music scholarship to The Juilliard School in New York, 18-year-old San Diego jazz bass virtuoso John Murray is now starting to waves in the Big Apple.
This year also saw Murray make his audacious recording debut on trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos’ first album in nearly a decade, “Espérame en el Cielo.”
Expect to be wowed when Murray performs an all-ages dinner concert here next Friday with his quartet, featuring pianist Brenda Greggio, tenor saxophonist Nick Caldwell and drummer Elijah Marrewa. All four are alums of San Diego’s Young Lions Jazz Conservatory.
6:30 p.m. Dec. 30. The Jazz Lounge, 6818 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego. $40-$60. thejazzloungelive.com
george.varga@sduniontribune.com
