Fri. April 22 -- Stunning Latin-jazz (and whatever) pianist Otmaro Ruiz leads a group. At the Blue Whale on the third floor of Weller Court Plaza, south of East First Street between South Los Angeles Street and South San Pedro Street, Little Tokyo 90012; 9pm-midnight; $10; validated parking underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Sat. April 23 -- Cal Arts presents "Jazz Crossings," a high-concept, high-tech bicoastal jam aligned with the theme of "people who've crossed borders to be here." Pianists J.B. Floyd and David Rosenboom perform on linked electronic keyboards; bassist Scott Colley and trumpeter Ralph Alessi jam from New York on screens viewed at CalArts; music and stories stream from CalArts to New York via live technology. I admit to difficulty in wrapping my thick head around this thing, but the notion has a lot of potential. At the Wild Beast Music Pavilion of CalArts, 24700 McBean Parkway, Valencia 91355; 5:30pm; FREE; register here.
Sat. April 23 -- Trumpeter Miles Evans (son o' Gil) fronts a cookin' fusion ensemble with a strong Hendrix affiliation, featuring Stones bassist Darryl Jones plus Steve Ferrone, John Beasley, Doug Webb and Tina Guo. At Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 8 & 10pm; $15-$20; (323) 466-2210; www.catalinajazzclub.com.
Sun. April 24 -- SASSAS's "Soundshoppe" series offers experimental musicians the opportunity to jam together and brown out half of eastern Los Angeles. Bring your junk, kick in and Ascend. Usually some top freakers here. If you don't wanna play, you can witness. At Center for the Arts, 2225 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041; load-in 12:30pm, jam/workshop 1pm; FREE; www.sassas.org.
Sun. April 24 -- Viking metal men Amon Amarth are simple in a good way, a crushing onslaught one may cheerfully describe as rock music. If the shirtless Swedes' new "Surtur Rising" is more of the same, it's a damned good same. Drink up. Easter was a pagan festival first. At House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; 9pm; $26; (323) 848-5800; www.livenation.com.
Mon. April 25 -- Boss free avant event: the perc ensemble Boorbaar, a performance of a Vinny Golia composition, a trombone piece by Daniel Corral, and a chamber ensemble (including bassist Ivan Johnson and clarinetist Brian Walsh) performing the work of the fine young composer Jodie Landau. At Pasadena Central Library, 285 E. Walnut St., Pasadena 91101; 6:30pm; free.
Tues. April 26 -- Nick Mancini, the vibraphonist with the vibramostest, has meant a lot to the L.A. music scene since he relocated from the East Coast several years back: educating, writing strong & sweet, forming a bunch of top bands, booking fresh talent in hep places such as the Blue Whale. It's his birthday, and he's celebrating by hosting a jam with his trio. Blow him a kiss. At the Blue Whale on the third floor of Weller Court Plaza, south of East First Street between South Los Angeles Street and South San Pedro Street, Little Tokyo 90012; 9pm-midnight; $10; validated parking underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Wed. April 27 -- Drummer Gregg Bendian doesn't always have to knock yer sox off the way he's done when re-creating Mahavishnu Orchestra music or slammin' heavy on his own fusionistic compositions or beating up an abstractive storm with Cecil Taylor or Nels Cline. Dude's got his sensitive chamber side, expressed in Trio Pianissimo with superb locals: pianist David Witham and bassist Joel Hamilton. Bendian doesn't get out here so much these days, so go ask him why. You can get a great modern meal before the show at this multipurpose art space, too. At Royal-T, 8910 Washington Blvd., Culver City 90232; 8pm; $10; $5 students; (310) 559-6300; www.royal-t.org. (Bendian also has a clinic Tuesday at Occidental College.)
Thurs. April 28 -- As a composer and trumpeter, Kris Tiner has stored up a lotta respect over the last decade on the avant circuit, so when he puts together a quintet, he can tap the best, which is what he's got here: bassist Steuart Liebig, drummer Nathan Hubbard, pianist Motoko Honda and guitarist Chris Schlarb. They'll get inspiration from a surreal/too-real film reel created by Allen D. Glass. At Royal-T, 8910 Washington Blvd., Culver City 90232; 7:30pm; $10; $5 students; (310) 559-6300; www.royal-t.org.
Thurs. April 28 -- Max & Igor! The metallic guitar-drums team that brought you Sepultura and Soulfly knock out a focused crunch of riff and atmosphere with Soulfly guitarist Marc Rizzo and Fireball Ministry bassist Johnny Chow as Cavalera Conspiracy. It kicks. With Lazarus A.D. and Mold Breaker. At House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; 8:30pm; $27.50; (323) 848-5800; www.livenation.com.
Read Brick Wahl’s jazz picks in LA Weekly here, Don Heckman’s jazz picks here and MoshKing's metal listings here. Read John Payne's plutonic Bluefat.com here.