Fri. June 20 -- Drummer Billy Hart's resumé stretches back through the biggest stars in jazz, including Charles Lloyd, Tyner, Herbie, Miles & Wes. He's got a new record out on ECM with his all-star quartet featuring double-down saxist Mark Turner, Bad Plus pianist Ethan Iverson and top-call bassist Ben Street, and that's the fine sustenance you receive tonight. 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 20 -- Swingin' bluesy grooves from Vince Meghrouni and Atomic Sherpas! Ornette-influenced soul jazz from Joe Baiza and Mecolodiacs! Plus Last Days of Ancient Sunlight. At Café NELA, 1906 Cypress Ave., Glassell Park 90065; 8pm; $5 ; beer & wine; www.cafenela.net.
Sat. June 21 -- I'm calling this gig "Watt & Spot," cuz who's gonna stop me? It's Minutemen/Firehose/Meltzer (and thousands more bands) bassist Mike Watt & the Secondmen closing, with Minutemen/SST Records auldtime producer, multi-instrumentalist and storyteller Spot opening, and New Zealand blues/poetry singer-songwriter Katy Soljak in the middle. At Café NELA, 1906 Cypress Ave., Glassell Park 90065; 8pm; $10; beer & wine; www.cafenela.net.
Sat. June 21 -- The swooping voice of cosmic African DNA channeler Dwight Trible fronts a quartet featuring vets Theo Sanders (piano), John B. Williams (bass) and Paul LeGaspi (drums). At the World Stage, 4344 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9 & 10:15pm; $15; www.theworldstage.org.
Sun. June 22 -- Get all the vibraphone you can stand and then some at the L.A. Jazz Society's annual Vibe Summit, this year honoring Garth Rodriguez and featuring performances by Joe Locatelli, Nick Mancini, Lolly Allen and millions more. Raffle, marketplace, food but no booze. Read my review of the 2011 Summit here. At REMO Recreational Music Center, 7308 Coldwater Canyon Blvd., North Hollywood 91605; 2-6pm; $20; www.lajazz.org.
Mon. June 23 -- Happy birthday, Glenn Danzig.
Wed. June 25 -- Whip out yer cell cams and document the walls, cuz they'll be in rubble after the most earthshaking reggae riddim section of all time, Sly & Robbie, hit that pocket behind the Taxi Gang with Bitty McLean. Also with Hollie Cook and a veritable horde of turntable spinmasters, utilizing the spaces of both the Plex and the upstairs Echo. Dub Club at the EchoPlex, 1154 Glendale Blvd., Echo Park 90026; doors 9pm; $15; 21+; www.attheecho.com.
Wed. June 25 -- The Grandmothers of Invention got the credentials to play music from the first 14 Mothers of Invention albums, cuz they were there: saxist Bunk Gardner (1966-69), bassist David Parlato (1972-76), keyboardist Don Preston (1966-74), plus the versatile soulfulness of longtime Grandmothers drummer Christopher Garcia and the youthful guitar of Max Kutner. At Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 8:30pm; $2 0; (323) 466-2210; www.catalinajazzclub.com.
Thurs. June 26 -- Rangy Kneebody bassist Kaveh Rastegar rustles up a nasty fusion group featuring guitarist Tim Young (whose excellent 2011 "Gravitational Lensing" showcased Rastegar's songcraft), keyboardist Jeff Babko and drummer Louis Cole. Prepare to rock. 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.
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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.