Fri. Sept. 20 -- Former Tony Williams keysman Alan Pasqua takes his gentle touch and fertile imagination in an acoustic direction with a quintet -- don't know who's in it, but he's always got top players. At LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., LA 90036; 6-8pm; FREE; Friday summer jazz schedule here.
Fri. Sept. 20 -- Grammy hog Billy Childs plugs in his keyboards with an electric band. 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. Sept. 21 -- Uri Caine, a key East Coast pianist with a passionate attack and a headful of artworld concepts, makes a rare L.A. appearance in a trio with New Orleans bassist John Hebert and univesal drummer Clarence Penn. And if you're dining nearby before the show, hit up the Angel City Young Artist Competition at 6pm -- the kids will raise yer brows. 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. Sept. 21 -- Young vibraphonist-singer-composer Jodie Landau is shaping up as a vortex of L.A. pathfinders, here assembling a star 10-piece ensemble featuring bassist Ivan Johnson, saxist Beth Schenck and storied trumpeter John Fumo at 8:30. At 9:45 it's Fumo's tradition-bucking Fumosonic, and at 11 it's the twin-sax wildness of Brundlefly. At the Crest, 3645 Foothill Blvd., La Crescenta (off the 210 west of the 2 freeway); cheap or free.
Sun. Sept. 22 -- Exciting development: Dean Chamberlain (Motels, Code Blue, Honorable DHC) has written a few songs with David Ricketts (David + David, Beowulf), and they're trying 'em out tonight. Strength meets strength. I haven't been to this place, but it's got sandwiches, craft beers and booze, so see ya there. At the Escondite, 410 Boyd St., downtown 90013; 9:30pm; FREE; all ages.
Sun. Sept. 22 -- Creative Underground L.A. presents a first set with Alex Noice Sextet (the riptearin' gluitarist plus close buddies like saxist Gavin Templeton and drummer Andrew Lessman, as well as a couple of singers), and a second set with brassman José Gurria's 20-plus-member Gurri Sonic Orchestra, which enlists vibes king Nick Mancini, windman Brian Walsh, trumpeter Daniel Rosenboom and the family cat. Art from Aron Rauch, too. Gotta like the twistin' energy CULA has been generating. And so 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.
Tues. Sept. 24 -- Gypsyhawk and Scorpion Child make for a highly compatible bill of shaggy '70s-derived hard rock from breakout bands, not to mention Kadavar, Wilson and Mothership. At the Roxy, 9009 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; 7:30pm; $12; (310) 278-9457; www.theroxy.com.
The most exciting L.A. jazz time of the year is nearing with Angel City Jazz Festival. Visit here for tickets and more info on:
Fri. Oct. 4 -- Nicole Mitchell Sun Dial Ensemble, plus Winners of the Angel City Jazz Young Artist Competition, at LACMA.
Sat. Oct. 5 -- Dave Holland Prism and John Scofield Uberjam Band, at UCLA's Royce Hall.
Sun. Oct. 6 -- Greg Osby/Anat Cohen, Yosvany Terry, Kneebody, Richard Sears, plus screenings of Icons Among Us documentaries, at John Anson Ford Amphitheater.
Fri. Oct. 11 -- Claudia Quintet, Jim Black-Tim Lefebvre-Chris Speed Trio, plus jazz symposium, at REDCAT.
Sat. Oct. 12 -- TBA, at Zipper Hall.
Sun. Oct. 13 -- Dafnis Prieto, at REDCAT.
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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.