Big week at the Whale.
Fri. Aug. 6 -- Sock Belt corrals a septet of the most charged-up neofusioneers, including drummer Zach Danziger, keyboardist Jeff Babko and multielectronified guitarist Tim Young. 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.
Sat. Aug. 6 -- Neotrad pianist Richard Sears brings his acute songwriting and light touch to a quintet featuring all-time drummer Billy Hart (Charles Lloyd, Herbie Hancock, Stan Getz) plus tenor man Dayna Stephens, altoist Roman Filiu and bassist Martin Nevin. 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; 21+; parking $5 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Sat. Aug. 6 -- Classic trumpeter Nolan Shaheed (Duke, Basie) plays and gets interviewed about his long career as a musician and a record-breaking runner. In Bar Fedora in vegan restaurant Au Lac, 710 W. First St., downtown 90012 (behind REDCAT); 7:30-11pm; $20-$25 (students $10) plus two-item minimum, reservations advisable at www.saturdaynightjazzdtla.com; $7 underground parking.
Sat. Aug. 6 -- Show kids the world of possibilities with guitarist Dave Cipriani, who snips music from everywhere. "Soundspark," a SASSAS presentation at the Children's Theater in West Hollywood Library, 625 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; noon; FREE; www.sassas.org.
Sun. Aug. 7 -- Vocalist/electronicist Kaoru, percussionist Brad Dutz, guitarist Carey Fosse and bassist Darryl Tewes, a.k.a. Acre Foot, find the places modern songwriters never knew they could go. Opening is Sean Sonderegger's Magically Inclined, featuring the up & coming saxist's more-than-original compositions as interpreted by a top band: vocalist Areni Agbabian, guitarist Alex Noice, bassist Dale Black and drummer peter Valsamis.At Center for the Arts, 2225 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041; 7pm; $10; (626) 795-4989.
Sun. Aug. 7 -- Trumpeter John Daversa's Contemporary Big Band takes the Z-Train to zesty regions of listenable nowsville. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $25; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Mon. Aug. 8 -- Anthony Wilson points his guitar toward inner space while keeping tradition in the rearview mirror; keyboardist Larry Goldings, saxist Tucker Antrell and drummer Alex Chaloff take turns driving. 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.
Mon. Aug. 8 -- Colorado's Khemmis have somehow found some cuttin' new guitar tones to amplify the universe of smoking sludge. At the Griffin, 3000 Los Feliz Blvd., Atwater 90039; full bar; details unavailable but seems like it will be late and cheap.
Tues. Aug. 9 -- Gothenberg atmo-stoners Monolord serve the murkiest soup since Electric Wizard. With Beastmaker, Sweat Lodge, Ironaut. At the Viper Room, 8852 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 7:30pm, show much later; $10; 21+; (310) 652-7869; www.viperroom.com.
Wed. Aug. 10 -- The Joey Sellers Jazz Aggregation showcases the trombonist's deft modern compositions, which extend well beyond the territory we normally call jazz. 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.
Wed. Aug. 10 -- All-time guitar great Jeff Beck revisits highlights of his half-century rock & fusion career with the Yardbirds, Rod Stewart and the Jeff Beck Group, supported by blues legend Buddy Guy and with special guests Steven motherhumpin Tyler of Aerosmith and blues-based singer Beth Hart. At the Hollywood Bowl, 2301 Highland Ave., Hollywood 90068; 8pm; plenty of $25-$60 seats left in the upper regions; (323) 850-2000; www.hollywoodbowl.com.
Thurs. Aug. 11 -- Veteran trombonist Michael Vlatkovich brings fun to the avant with a septet of topflight improvisers: windman Andrew Pask, tenorist Bill Plake, trumpeter Dan Clucas, tuba exploder William Roper, bassist Dominic Genova and drummer John Hernandez. At the Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., West L.A. 90024; 8pm; FREE; $6 parking under the building; (310) 443-7000; www.hammer.ucla.edu.
Thurs. Aug. 11 -- "Vladimir Horowitz's momentum mixed with Cecil Taylor's palette, underlining Taylor's debt to Cuba more than Ortíz's debt to Taylor," babbled MetalJazz.com on the occasion of Aruán Ortíz;s 2014 appearance at Angel City Jazz Fest, adding, "Gaw-DAMN." Ortiz brings a trio tonight; hope it's the same one with bassist Eric Revis and drummer Gerald Cleaver. 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.