December mixtape

Baltimore duo Wye Oak brings its hypnotic, shimmering folk-shoegaze sound to the Black Cat on Dec. 27. (Photo courtesy Billions Corporation)

The first half of this month starts off with a bang. One of jazz's living legends -- Sonny Rollins -- and one of its brightest young stars -- Esperanza Spalding -- will play in D.C. during the first week of December. Also, alt-rock behemoths the Pixies perform their classic album "Doolittle" in its entirety at a two-night stand at Constitution Hall.

Power pop fans will be able to get their fix from Sloan and Brendan Benson. The Capitol City Music Tour, featuring up-and-coming local rappers Kingpen Slim, Uptown XO and K-Beta, visits Velocity Five in Falls Church. And one last treat before the year ends, personal favorites Wye Oak from Baltimore bring loud, hypnotic folk-shoegaze to the Black Cat's backstage.

See details for all of our picks on the December Mixtape Best Bets list.

--David Malitz