Fri. May 27 -- Singer Dwight Trible digs down and flies up into the Africa of your dreams. At LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., LA 90036; 6-8pm; FREE; Friday summer jazz schedule here.
Fri. May 27 -- Continue exploring the African-American diaspora with the passionate groove of Tapscott-schooled saxist Fuasi Abdul-Khaliq, making a rare local appearance with pianist Tateng Katindig, guitarist Jacques Lesure, bassist Jonathan Richards and drummer Kenny Elliott. At the World Stage, 4344 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 8:30pm; $10; www.theworldstage.org.
Fri. May 27 -- Take a squint at guitarist Jeff Kollman's right hand to grok the finest in chops and tone with heavy fusion soulsters Cosmosquad. It's a Japan benefit, with a load of special guests including Peppers/Meatbats drummer Chad Smith, Rudder bassist Tim Lefebvre, and the list stretches on. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $25; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Fri. May 27 -- What, the Grammys are trying to ditch the Latin Jazz category? Multi-awardee Poncho Sanchez will be boilin' tonight. At Vitello's Restaurant, 4349 Tujunga Ave., Studio City 91604; 7:30 &10 pm; $25 cover plus $13 minimum; (818) 769-0905; www.vitellosrestaurant.com.
Fri. May 27 -- Manly country-rock poets I See Hawks in L.A. preview material from their upcoming album. Be the first to hum along. At Cinema Bar, 3967 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City 90036; 10pm; pass the hat; (310) 390-1328; thecinemabar.com.
Fri.-Sat. May 26-28 -- The intrepid L.A. Jazz Collective Festival finishes a three-day run.
Fri.: The Jimmy Giuffre-influenced Westland Trio (trumpeter John Daversa, guitarist Todd Millstein, windman Damon Zick), 9pm; guitarist Jamie Rosenn Trio, 10pm; organist Joe Bagg Trio, 11pm.
Sat. afternoon: Trumpeter Josh Aguiar Ensemble, 3pm; trumpeter Josh Welchez Group, 4pm; baritonist Adam Schroeder Quintet (featuring Bob Sheppard), 5pm.
Sat. evening: Pianist Leonard Thompson Trio, 8pm; saxist Matt Otto Quintet, 9pm; guitarist John Ehlis Ensemble (featuring Vinny Golia), 10pm; and the monster Vinny Golia Sextet (with Gavin Templeton, Daniel Rosenboom, Alex Noice, Jon Armstrong and Andrew Lessman), 11pm.
Complete schedule at www.lajazzcollective.com.
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; validated parking underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Sat. May 28 -- Dub Club leaps across the genres with a super reggae blowout. Straight from Jah you got DJ Sister Nancy ("Bam Bam," pictured), singer Madoo (returning from a long hiatus), dancehaller Ranking Joe and '80s beatman Tippa Lee, plus Euro digitalist Soom T. And the house Echodelic DJs will be rocking the vinyl exclusive-lye. Stand back. At the EchoPlex, 1154 Glendale Blvd., Echo Park 90026; doors 9pm; $20 ($10 before 10pm); www.attheecho.com.
Sun. May 29 -- Make sure you're hung over for work Monday with the quintet of trumpeter Elliott Caine, throwin' down the warm neotrad jazz with beefy saxist Carl Randall, pianist Scott Oakley, bassist Trevor Ware and drummer Kenny Elliott. At the York Bar and Restaurant, 5018 York Blvd., Highland Park 90042; 7:30-10pm; (323) 255-9675.
Sun. May 29 -- For quiet yet intricate implications of many world musics, try the extraordinary acoustic quartet Svara: David Trasoff (sarod), Robert Jacobson (guitar), John Graves (bass) and Randy Gloss (world perc). At Ed Freeman Gallery, 945 Chung King Road, Chinatown 90012; 6pm; $15 (323) 522-4214.
Wed. June 1 -- The Michael Formanek Quartet knocked out a stirring, wide-ranging set of modern jazz on ECM late last year, and we're extremely lucky to get the whole all-star lineup intact in this space, where you can practically sit on their laps while you drink smasho cocktails and eat fusionistic bar food. That's the low-banging bassist plus pianist Craig Taborn, saxist Tim Berne (who recently crushed it with Nels Cline and Jim Black on the live Cryptogramophone release "The Veil") and drummer Gerald Cleaver. Wowsville. 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; 8:30pm; $15, students $10; validated parking underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Wed. June 1 -- Have you been overwhelmed by Richard Cheese & Lounge Against the Machine covering "Baby Got Back" or "Rape Me"? Talking about absolute hilarity backed by absolutely serious cocktail musicianship, no joke. I mean, it's a joke, but it's really funny. With The Lamp Shades. At House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; 9pm; $22.50; (323) 848-5800; www.livenation.com.
Thurs. June 2 -- Cinderella took me apart with their blues-rock groove when they opened for the Scorpions last year; that Tom Keifer is one talented mofo. Sort of an accident that they got lumped in with the '80s hair-band crew. With Hurtsmile featuring Extreme singer Gary Cherone. At House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; 8:30pm; $37; (323) 848-5800; www.livenation.com.
Thurs.-Sun. June 2-5 -- Glad to see The Bad Plus continuing to get return stands here; melodramatic-sensitive pianist Ethan Iverson, composin' bassist Reid Anderson and cracktop drummer Dave King have brought Black Sabbath and Blondie into the jazz idyum to great effect. Maybe jazz won't die after all. At Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 8 & 10pm; $22-$30; (323) 466-2210; www.catalinajazzclub.com.
Read Matt Duersten's review of a recent Wadada Leo Smith-Motoko Honda concert here.
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.