Fri. June 21 -- Not the Leaders of the '80s but something more local and less avant, Jazz Leaders (trumpeter Bobby Rodriguez, saxist Rickey Woodard, pianist Billy Mitchell, bassist Ryan Cross, conga man Bobby Matos, drummer Paul Kreibich) carry on a mainstream tradition that feels damn good out on the patio with a margarita in yer fist on the first evening of summer. At LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., LA 90036; 6-8pm; FREE; Friday summer jazz schedule here.
Fri. June 21 -- Weba & Ralph, i.e. Garretson & Gorodetsky, wax poetic and tuneful about the cosmic implications of arthropods & mammals. At Stories Bookstore, 1716 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park 90026; 8pm; free.
Fri.-Sat. June 21-22 -- I've been listening to youngish drummer Kendrick Scott's current Concord album, "Conviction," and though the feel leans toward the pastel spectrum, the music flows with balance and sensitivity. Good for a date night. 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; $20; parking $5 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Sat. June 22 -- Sure, original Megadeth co-guitarist Chris Poland's Ohm plays here every month, but that's no reason to ignore the slippery brand of sci-fi fusion he jets out with bassist Robert Pagliari and drummer David Eagle. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $20; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Sun. June 23 -- Viola player and composer Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, a man with California ears and a wide-ranging heart, puts together a multihued 17-member ensemble to embrace Duke, Strayhorn, Gil Evans, Charlie Parker's rarely attempted "Bird With Strings" material and, oh yeah, his own stuff. Distinguished players include saxist Zane Musa, trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, drummer Zach Harmon and cellist Peter Jacobson. Ambitious event, and cheap. 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; parking $5 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Sun. June 23 -- If you happen to be drifting around the Sherman Oaks Guitar Center, look out front and marvel that the City and the Center would get together and fund the wayout drums-electronix-trombone improvisations of Corey Marc Fogel, Rick Potts & Michael Vlatkovich. A Newtown collaboration in front of Guitar Center, 14209 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks 91403; 1:30-3:45pm & 4:45-7pm; FREE.
Mon.-Tues. June 24-25 -- When Ambrose Akinmusire & Gerald Clayton get together for a trumpet-piano duo, you're liable to experience the former's more lyrical side and the latter's less structured side. Both highly skilled young players. 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.
Wed. June 26 -- Vintage Jamaican falsetto singer Cornell Campbell gets backed by the Fully Fullwood Band (led by the Marley & Tosh bassist, so ya know it's down); Brit dancehall king Gappy Ranks pitches in, backed by the 7th Street Band; the righteous house DJs spin da roots. What could be objectionable? Dub Club at the EchoPlex, 1154 Glendale Blvd., Echo Park 90026; doors around 8pm; $15 ($10 before 10pm); www.attheecho.com.
Wed. June 26 -- LATE ADD: Personable wildman guitarist Tom McNalley leads a trio featuring cousin Tim McNalley (bass) and non-relative Matt Baker (drums). Cardoo (cellist Aneila Perry and guitarist Marisa DeMeglio) opens. At Grand Star Jazz Club, 943 N. Broadway, Chinatown 90012; 9pm; (213) 626-2285.
Thurs. June 27 -- Following up on his sold-out Blue Whale appearance last month, vibesman Nick Mancini continues to celebrate the release of his deeply satisfying new "Storyteller" (pick one up) with some of the same Collective that played on it: pianist Vardan Ovsepian, bassist Kaveh Rastegar and drummer Dan Schnelle. At Vitello's Restaurant, 4349 Tujunga Ave., Studio City 91604; one long set at 8pm; $15; (818) 769-0905; www.vitellosjazz.com.
Thurs. June 27 -- Cravin' some countrybilly? Rosie Flores sings like a nightingale and stings that Strat like a hornet. At Viva Cantina, 900 Riverside Drive, Burbank 91506; the site sez 8pm but the ad sez 10pm; cheap; (818) 845-2425; www.vivacantina.com.
Thurs. June 27 -- Horrific local metal gangbang tonight headlined by hardworking thrashers Bonded by Blood, plus Hatchet, Hexen, Ophiuchus, Slain Vitals, Canopus, Syndrom. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors around 7pm; $12; www.whiskyagogo.com; (310) 652-4202.
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Read Don Heckman’s jazz picks here and MoshKing's metal listings here. Read John Payne's plutonic Bluefat.com here.