Fri. Feb. 14 -- Miles Davis, Elvin Jones, Chick Corea -- the best have long gravitated toward windman David Liebman, whose combination of technique and liveliness has graced his own groups for many years. Tonight he's got a superfine quartet with pianist John Beasley, bassist Dave Robaire and drummer Jonathan Pinson. 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.
Fri. Feb. 14 -- Portland's Lord Dying flirt with prog while remaining faithful to the heavy riffgroove cannabistic religion and proving that, so far, Black Sabbath have maintained more influence than the Beatles (cuz our time's a dark one, boyo). On Relapse Records, sign of quality. Deathkings open, followed by YIDHRa. At Complex, 806 E. Colorado St., Glendale 91205; 10:30pm; $10; 21+; full bar; www.complexla.com; (323) 642-7519.
Fri. Feb. 14 -- Ex-Dokken axguy George Lynch keeps blazing the frets with his long-running Lynch Mob. The Hard Way, Slick N Wicked and Faded Sun support. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 7pm; $20; www.whiskyagogo.com; (310) 652-4202.
Sat. Feb. 15 -- Dialed-in guitarist Jeff Kollman calls his group "power fusion" cuz of the improv, the shred and the heft, which bassist Kevin Chown, drummer Glen Sobel and co-ax Jeff Marshall surely deliver. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $20; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Sat. Feb. 15 -- Gimme an S for some of Scandinavia's finest metal gangs: Swedish athemic meadgut pillagers Amon Amarth and tightly wound Norwegian people's-choice churners Enslaved; plus, arrive early for the twin-guitar swordplay and concise songwriting of Ohio's Skeletonwitch. Super show. At the Wiltern, 3790 Wilshire Blvd., LA 90010; 7pm; $34-$40; (213) 388-1400; www.livenation.com.
Sat. Feb. 15 -- If I had a hammer, I'd hammer down the doors to hear I See Hawks in L.A. pay tribute to the recently deceased folk giant Pete Seeger along with Moira Smiley, The Coals and more. At Urban Homestead, 631 Cypress Ave., Pasadena 91130; 7pm; $20 with recommended pre-registration here; no booze; (626) 765-5704.
Sun. Feb. 16 -- After 30-some years, West Coast axdude Kurt Vanderhoof keeps bouncing back with new versions of the powerfully tuneful Metal Church. With Heavyness, Frailed Sanity, Desecrate, Serabyss, Maniacz. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 6pm; $20; www.whiskyagogo.com; (310) 652-4202.
Sun. Feb. 16 -- Chicago Underground guitarist Jeff Parker packs enough electronic goo to stick with the slipperiest of modern improvisers, here in a trio with the endless tonal/rhythmic dimensions of drummer Alex Cline, plus Branford Marsalis bassist Eric Revis. 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. Feb. 16 -- Think about it: Fewer jazz clubs, fewer options for working jazz musicians, therefore fewer working jazz musicians. So hand it to trumpeter Elliott Caine for finding ways to bring his quintet/quartet's rooted yet adventurous post-mainstream jazz into the bars and boites of our great metropolis, while actually playing a lot of originals. It means people dig him. At the York Bar and Restaurant, 5018 York Blvd., Highland Park 90042; 7:30-10pm; no cover; (323) 255-9675.
Tues. Feb. 18 -- Take a step beyond the traditional piano trio with essential scene bassist Ryan McGillicuddy, classically ornamented pianist Vardan Ovsepian and Hall of Fame drummer Peter Erskine, he of the featherlight wrists. 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.
LATE ADD: Thurs. Feb. 20 -- Bassist Buster Williams reimagines his Miles/Herbie days with an all-star quartet featuring windman Bennie Maupin (veteran of both) plus Wynton Marsalis pianist Eric Reed and the wonderful avant-propulsive drummer Cindy Blackman. A Jazz Bakery presentation at REDCAT, 631 W. Second St., downtown 90012; 8:30pm; $30 (students $20); www.redcat.org.
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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.