Fri. Sept. 27 -- Dwight Trible is the Coltrane of singers, a spirit channeler. At LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., LA 90036; 6-8pm; FREE; Friday summer jazz schedule here.
Fri. Sept. 28 -- Gear up yer brain pan for some of the best progressive modern metal around: epic harshness from Between the Buried and Me, concise twists from The Faceless, startstop rage from The Contortionist, The Safety Fire. At House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; 7:30pm; $23; (323) 848-5100; www.livenation.com.
Sat. Sept. 28 -- Trombone vet Phil Ranelin brings his old & young ensemble featuring windman Pablo Calogero, pianist Gary Matsumoto, bassist Aneesa Al-Musawwir and deep-feelin' drummer Don Littleton to swing the leader's trad/Latin originals. "Jazz at the Rad" in the Palmira Room at the Radisson Airport Hotel, 6225 W. Century Blvd., L.A. 90045; 7:30-10:30pm; no cover but $20 minimum; validated parking; reserve at (310) 216-5861.
Sat. Sept. 28 -- Major dudes who broke in with Charles Lloyd and Miles, the challenging yet popular Keith Jarrett-Jack DeJohnette-Gary Peacock trio celebrate the 30th anniversary of their first congealment. A CAP presentation at UCLA's Royce Hall; 8pm; $63-$84 (few left); www.cap.ucla.edu.
Sat. Sept. 28 -- Plunge back into the primal rot of '80s grindcore with England's Carcass, plus another dyin' & risin' group of death gods, Cali's Exhumed. At the Troubadour, 9081 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 8pm; $20 (sold out!); www.troubadour.com.
Sat.-Sun. Sept. 28-29 -- Guitarist's-guitarist Michael Landau fuses with tasteful heft afront his trio on Saturday, then goes acoustic Sunday with the dark emotional folk roots of wife Karen's Hazey Jane. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $25/$15; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Sun. Sept. 29 -- Premier purveyors of black melodic growl & shriek, Piotr Wiwczarek and Poland's Vader preside over fellow mythologists Vital Remains, Sacrificial Slaughter, Execration. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; www.whiskyagogo.com; 5pm; $20; (310) 652-4202.
Sun. Sept. 29 -- Gerald Wilson leads a big band with the panache and personal vision he's been tapping for some 60 years. At Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 7:30pm; $20 plus minimum; (323) 466-2210; www.catalinajazzclub.com.
Sun. Sept. 29 -- This can't be the first time sensitive trad-plus guitarist Anthony Wilson has competed with his dad five miles apart on the same night, here in a soulful trio with organ man Joe Bagg and drummer Mark Ferber. 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.
Sun. Sept. 29 -- I like the idea of avant musicians getting wild for little kids, expanding young ears before they get all callused by Disney. Today you get bassoonist Archie Carey (1pm) and singer Odeya Nini (3pm). "Soundspark," a SASSAS presentation at the Children's Theater in West Hollywood Library, 625 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood 90069.
Tues. Oct. 1 -- Legendary metal drummer Gene Hoglan (who hit the charts with Testament and Dethklok in the same year) literally puts on a clinic, telling stories, demonstrating techniques and showing off a frame 160 pounds lighter after he slammed diabetes to the mat. With Sirion, PDP. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 7pm; $15; www.whiskyagogo.com; (310) 652-4202.
Wed. Oct. 2 -- Vibraphone master and penetrating composer Nick Mancini opens up a month of Wednesdays here with a quartet featuring alto man Allen Mezquida. 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. Oct. 3 -- Winery Dogs bring back the feel & chops of classic rock via singer-guitarist Richie Kotzen (Poison, Mr. Big), drummer Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater) and bassist Billy Sheehan (David Lee Roth, Mr. Big). Opening: Instant People, Skick, Darren Block. At the Canyon Club, 28912 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills 91301; 9pm; $30; (818) 879-5016; www.canyonclub.net.
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 -- Terence Blanchard Quintet, at Zipper Hall.
Sun. Oct. 13 -- Dafnis Prieto, at REDCAT.