Fri. Aug. 19 -- This version of Guns N' Roses with Slash and Duff McKagan has a lot more claim to the name than any of Axl's solo circuses for the last couple of decades, and these starving musicians need your support. With doomy hard rock from Alice in Chains, which can claim that name cuz guitarist Jerry Cantrell was always the mastermind, and he can't help it if singer Layne Staley died. And: This version of the quintessentially simple thud-hook outfit The Cult features singer Ian Astbury and guitarist Billy Duffy but not heavy drummer Matt Sorum, who was stolen from them long ago by GN'R but ain't playing with anyone tonight, so what gives? At Dodger Stadium; 6:30pm; $45 and way, way up; www.ticketmaster.com.
Fri. Aug. 19 -- Cuban sax great Paquito D'Rivera cooks in duo with pianist Alex Brown, preceded by a panel about the influence of Cuban jazz on L.A. music, featuring D'Rivera and educator Danilo Lozano and moderated by my old pard Brick Wahl, so git there early. A presentation of the Jazz Bakery's Movable Feasts at the Colburn School's Zipper Hall, 200 S. Grand Ave., downtown 90012; panel 7:45pm, music 8:30pm; $35 (add $25 for each student); www.jazzbakery.org.
Fri. Aug. 19 -- The quartet of Ernie Watts, the big guy who's lent his big, controlled tenor sound to the likes of Charlie Haden and the Stones, makes up the musical side of a photo retrospective celebrating 25 years of the museum's "Jazz at LACMA" program. At LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., LA 90036; 6-8pm; FREE; Friday summer jazz schedule here.
Fri.-Sat. Aug. 19-20 -- The ensembles of violist Miguel Atwood-Ferguson always offer something new and listenable; he likes a big palette, this time a 12-member unit featuring vibesman Nick Mancini, windman Katisse Buckingham and saxist Josh Johnson (plus visuals by Jesse Gilbert). 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; $30; 21+; parking $5 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Fri.-Wed., Aug. 19-24 -- Chick Corea Elektric Band unites the legendary Miles keysman with his all-star fusion posse: bassist John Patitucci, drummer Dave Weckl, guitarist Frank Gambale and saxist Eric Marienthal. At Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 8:30 & 10:30pm; $45-$65 (Fri.-Sat. early shows sold out); (323) 466-2210; www.catalinajazzclub.com.
Sat. Aug. 20 -- In the wake of Japan's April Kumamoto quakes, singer Cathy Segal-Garcia is throwing a benefit featuring many excellent performers, including pianist Billy Mitchell, saxist Justo Almario, guitarist Goh Kurosawa and drummer Kendall Kaye among many others. In Bar Fedora in vegan restaurant Au Lac, 710 W. First St., downtown 90012 (behind REDCAT); 7:30 & 9:30pm; $25 per set plus two-item minimum, reservations advisable at www.saturdaynightjazzdtla.com; $7 underground parking.
Sat. Aug. 20 -- Michael Landau serves up his sessionmaster taste & electronified crunch with his trio mates, drummer Gary Novak and bassist Andy Hess. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $30 (first set sold out); (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Sat. Aug. 20 -- Fronted by tortured singer-bassist Elizabeth Blackwell, Castle work the doom & churn as well as any millennial metal band. With Caustic Casanova, Trapped Within Burning Machinery, Taarkus. At Complex, 806 E. Colorado St., Glendale 91205; 8pm; $10; 21+; full bar; www.complexla.com; (323) 642-7519.
Sun. Aug. 21 -- Trumpeter Elliott Caine's ensemble lets you relax, groove and remember that 1958 was not entirely boring. At the York Bar and Restaurant, 5018 York Blvd., Highland Park 90042; 7:30-10pm; no cover; (323) 255-9675.
Wed. Aug. 24 -- Mega Nova is a pretentious name, but it's hard to argue with a quintet that features Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Carlos Santana, Marcus Miller and Cindy Blackman. And Booker T Jones' Stax Revue opens, so there ya go. At the Hollywood Bowl, 2301 Highland Ave., Hollywood 90068; 8pm; $22-$445; (323) 850-2000; www.hollywoodbowl.com.
Thurs. Aug. 25 -- Cellist Artyom Manukyan applies new values to fusion with his crack ensemble featuring keyboardist Vardan Ovsepian, drummer Gavin Salmon and FX tweaker Troy Zeigler. Guess Manukyan needs no bass, kinda like Ron Carter on Dolphy's "Out There." At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $20; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Wed.-Thurs. Aug. 24-25 -- Kalimba, rattly perc, horn riffs -- Ethio-Cali get way inside those snaky grooves from the "Ethiopiques" series; glad somebody dares. 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; 21+; 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. Read John Payne's plutonic Bluefat.com here.