If Jack Kerouac was alive today, he might be found hanging out with Tom Waits [ tickets ]. The Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter, composer and actor seems to channel the vibe of the beat era--in fact he even recorded the song "On the Road" with lyrics taken from Kerouac's novel, for his 2006 set "Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards."

With his distinctive voice, which has been described as sounding "like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon," Waits is a master at creating atmosphere. He's become known for incorporating clanging percussion, blues and jazz-noir along with his trademark growl and evocative lyrics. On Nov. 24, the artist will release a live set titled "Glitter and Doom Live," which was recorded during last year's sold-out tour.

In the fall of 2007, Waits performed with The Kronos Quartet as part of Neil Young [ tickets ]'s 21st Annual Bridge School Benefit in Mountain View, CA, and LiveDaily photographer Tim Mosenfelder was there to get some shots.