Fri. April 20 -- In Slake magazine's Literary Death Match, four writers read their punchiest prose and try to knock each other out before a panel of judges. This round's competitors are Lauren Groff (Slake), Krys Lee (Granta), Jerry Stahl (Rarebird Lit) and Tom Bissel (Zyzzyva). The winner advances to the next round, vying to win the ultimate prize that awaits the finest writers of the third millennium, which is, I believe, something like jellyfish. At Atwater Crossing, 3245 Casitas Ave., Atwater Village 90039; 8pm; $7; snax and beverages available; free parking in lots; reserve a coveted ticket here.
Fri. April 20 -- Fela's son Seun Anikulapo Kuti & Egypt 80 bump up the reggae-like ballads and furious grooves with a realness that can compare with Dad, which is saying something. I'll bet Kuti protest tunes rocked many an iPod during the Arab Spring, and Seun's current album was produced by Brian Eno, who doesn't get involved with a lot of crapola. This is the first entry in my unofficial Children of Master Mofos (COMM) week. A UCLA Live presentation at Royce Hall; 8pm; $20; www.uclalive.org.
Sat. April 21 -- There may be a star missing at the center of Anoushka Shankar's Indian-flamenco-techno-etc. solar system, but she deserves credit for being her own woman, and she's cute. Shankar is the second COMM this week. At Cal State L.A.’s Luckman Fine Arts Complex, 5151 State University Drive, L.A. 90032; 8pm; $25-$40; (323) 343-6600; www.luckmanarts.org.
Sun. April 22 -- Pianist Nate Morgan, who out-Tynered Tyner with Horace Tapscott and can play most anything with fluidity and power, has been ailing for quite a while, and his friends are massing to raise some bux. What friends, too: Phil Ranelin, Michael Session, Jesse Sharps, John Beasley, Ndugu Chancler, Kamau Da'aood, Roberto Miranda, Larry Nash, Dwight Trible, Kamasi Washington, Nedra Wheeler and many more. A swell vibe is guaranteed. At KRST Unity Center, 7825 S. Western Ave. near Florence, L.A. 90047; 2-7pm; $20 donation suggested but give what you can; (323) 348-6801.
Sun. April 22 -- Around Detroit, they speak of trumpeter Marcus Belgrave the way Angelenos speak of Horace Tapscott -- as an early beacon to now-established talent such as Kenny Garrett, James Carter and Geri Allen. A beautiful player with a centered, round tone, he's bringing his wife, Joan Belgrave, to sing light & bluesy. At Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 7:30pm; $20; (323) 466-2210; www.catalinajazzclub.com.
Wed. April 25 -- Guitarist Anthony Wilson wraps up his April residency with some accessible, swinging California jazz. The son of big-band legend Gerald Wilson, he's the third in my Children of Master Mofos week. At the Blue Whale on the third level 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 25 -- Ax ex-Megadeth axman Chris Poland where his electricity comes from, and he'll cross his legs and say Ohm, with Robert Pagliari on bass and David Eagle on drums. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $15; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Wed. April 25 -- You think a little thing like leukemia would keep Behemoth front man Nergal off the road? They grow their metal monsters tough in Poland, to match the fierce but melodic riffs and the mythic scariness. With Sweden's murky-black Watain (who have a song called "Devil's Blood"!), the tuneful churn and classic metal shriek of Holland's The Devil's Blood, plus In Solitude, Ides of Gemini. At House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 6pm; $28; (323) 848-5800; www.livenation.com.
Thurs. April 26 -- Some say Sweden's Opeth and Atlanta's Mastodon sold out when they went in a more singerly, more compact and less epic direction; I say there's something progressive about using all your tools. Big show, interesting bill with rising Swedish melodic Satanists Ghost. At Gibson Amphitheater, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City 91608; 8:15pm; $34-$60; www.livenation.com.
Thurs. April 26 -- Rez Abbasi is a shreddin' world-beat-conscious guitarist worth seeing on his own, but the inclusion in his band of neojazz saxist David Binney makes this a tough one to miss. At the Blue Whale on the third level 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.
Thurs. April 26 -- I See Hawks in L.A.? Of course you do, pard, and it's always a rancher's inspiration. This is an acoustic show (to match the Hawks' new acoustic record) in a Victorian Mansion, no less, and you know how much Queen Victoria loved country music. With RT & the 44's. At HM 157, 3110 N. Broadway, Lincoln Heights 90031; 9pm; not expensive I'm guessing.
Read Don Heckman’s jazz picks here and MoshKing's metal listings here. Read John Payne's plutonic Bluefat.com here.
Remember "Dogphotoman," the Greg Burk musical mystery novella you used to get on this site for free? You can now pay 99 cents for it as a Kindle eBook! Click here. Readable on any computer by downloading the free Kindle reader.