L.A. previews June 14-20: Mouzon's Fullonthropy, Billy Childs, Anthony Wilson's Curators, Ratt, Brian Auger, Bennie Maupin, Homler/Payne/Vollman, Microfest piano, Playboy Jazz Fest, Melechesh, Tiny Resistors, Jeff Kollman.

mouzon.jpg
Fri. June 14 -- Ex-Miles drummer Alphonse Mouzon stands tall in the category of full-on musicians, so it's only natural that his fusion group would be called Fullonthropy, with guitarist James Musser, keyboardist Neil Alexander, bassist Doug Lunn and "inspired movement" from Jo Ellyn Musser and David Norwood. At Alva’s Show Room, 1417 W. Eighth St., San Pedro 90732; 8 & 9:30pm; $20 ($30 both shows); www.alvasshowroom.com; (800) 403-3447.

Fri. June 14 -- Better grab a spot early if you want to experience the hi-concept art and crowd-pleasing jamz of Grammy-winning pianist Billy Childs' quartet at public expense. At LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., LA 90036; 6-8pm; FREE; Friday summer jazz schedule here.

Fri. June 14 -- Guitarist Anthony Wilson, an easygoing post-trad plucker and composer, presents The Curators, who have featured organist Larry Goldings, bassist Kaveh Rastegar and a few others like saxist Ben Wendel, but I ain't claiming nothing until I get Word, cuz the band's personnel shifts. 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; $15; parking $5 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.

Fri. June 14 -- '80s Sunset Strippers Ratt are back with Pearcy & DiMartini & almost the whole lineup that did "Round & Round." An actual filthy rock band. With Stonebreed, Lee & the Real Deal. At the Canyon Club, 28912 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills 91301; 8pm; $39 & $64; (818) 879-5016; www.canyonclub.net.

Fri.-Sat. June 14 -15 -- In Steampacket around, like, 1965, Brian Auger played keys with Long John Baldry, Rod Stewart and Julie Driscoll. I mean, he is way older than ME. So his drummer son Karma and singin' daughter Savannah are veterans too by now, slinging that fusiony lounge goo with a side of mind trip along with guitarist Yarone Levy and bassist Les King. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $20; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.

Sat. June 15 -- Hey look, former Miles/Headhunters/Mwandishi sax artist Bennie Maupin is doing a hometown gig for a change. He and his band (always top dudes) will take you to rarefied spiritual levels. 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; $15; parking $5 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.

Sat. June 15 -- Anna Homler, Pat Payne and Kira Vollman, three women with extreme voices and histories of artistic misbehavior, do a conceptual piece about meeting you in the dressing room. Yeah, you heard right. A presentation of Newtown. Adjacent to Avery Schreiber Theater at 11050 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood 91601; 12:30-2:30 & 3:30-5:30pm; FREE; (626) 398-9278.

Sat. June 15 -- Sometimes I can do no better than to reproduce the PR blurb: "In 1931 New York, Basque composer/pianist Emiliana Zubeldia met the Mexican theorist Augusto Novaro and popularized his revolutionary tuning system for pianos. Aron Kallay resurrects this fascinating sound and the new perspective it gives to piano music from that era, including works of Toch, Copland, Gershwin and Zubeldia herself."
A Microfest presentation at Villa Aurora, 520 Paseo Miramar, Pacific Palisades 90272; 8pm; $20; shuttle service from Los Liones Drive & Sunset Blvd; (310) 454-4231; more info here.

Sat.-Sun. June 15-16 -- A few things jump out at me from this year's Playboy Jazz Festival. Saxist James Carter guests with Poncho Sanchez's band Saturday to play "Olé Coltrane," though too much of these classic-album revisitations could get old. And folkblues legend Taj Mahal pairs with a tuba band on Sunday, when fiery percussionist Sheila E. closes. Most of the program's a snooze; I keep forgetting that's what it's for. Oh, just found out it's sold out anyway! At the Hollywood Bowl, 2301 Highland Ave., Hollywood 90068; 3pm; scalp or steal; (323) 850-2000; www.hollywoodbowl.com.

Melechesh.jpg
Sun. June 16 -- Middle Eastern-derived metalmen Melechesh strike a kingly balance between melody and harshness; Vreid buzzes the vintage Norwegian black metal; Lightning Swords of Death bring back the reckless, high-energy days of early thrash. Top show with Reign of Lies and more. At the Joint, 8771 W. Pico Blvd., L.A. 90035; 7:30pm; $20; (310) 275-2619; www.thejointlive.com.

Thurs. June 20 -- Todd Sickafoose's Tiny Resistors ranks as the bassist-composer's most ear-friendly and texturally appealing unit, this version featuring guitarist Tim Young (wot a master of FX), versatile trumpeter John Daversa (everywhere these days), drummer Allison Miller, keyboardist Erik Deutsch and clarinetist Phil O'Connor. Highly recommended. 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; $15; parking $5 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.

Thurs. June 20 -- You want a lesson in how an electric guitarist can communicate in line, sound and feel, head over to Jeff Kollman (Cosmosquad, Glenn Hughes), fronting bassist Pete Griffin, drummer Drew Megna and guitarist Jeff Marshall. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $20; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.


* * *


Read Don Heckman’s jazz picks here and MoshKing's metal listings here. Read John Payne's plutonic Bluefat.com here.