You know how people are always saying they need to find something to do with their hands? People who are nervous or trying to quit smoking or whatever?

Albare has never had a problem keeping his hands busy.

In addition to being a renowned jazz guitarist - who brings his band Friday to the Oasis Room in New London's Garde Arts Center - Albare holds two black belts in Hapkido and, for years in his adopted Australia, was a competitive golfer and tennis player.

It's the musical aspect we'll focus on today. Born in Morocco and raised in Israel and France, Albare has assimilated a rich variety of melodic and rhythmic styles over his 20-year career. As a composer and musician, his work is as virtuosic as it is melodically pleasing, and fans of Pat Metheny or Charlie Haden will love Albare's material and the global tones and influences he brings.

Albare's latest album is "The Road Ahead," and he'll be joined onstage by Axel Tosca (piano), Yunior Terry (bass) and Pablo Bencid (drums).

- RICK KOSTER

Albare, 8 p.m. Friday, Oasis Room, Garde Arts Center, 325 State St., New London; $33; (860) 444-7373.