Fri. Oct. 21 -- Though this is the Wino-less version of original doomsters St. Vitus, it's still a strong bill with heavy Trouble successors The Skull (pictured) and Portland slo-bros Witch Mountain. At the Viper Room, 8852 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 8pm; $25; 21+; (310) 652-7869; www.viperroom.com.
Fri. Oct. 21 -- Saxist Gavin Templeton leads a wide-open trio, kinda like Ornette Coleman did on those fine "Live at the Golden Circle" recordings. 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 $9 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Sat. Oct. 22 -- Support the vital World Stage in a big ol' fund-raiser featuring a meet-up with the board and staff (4pm); a performance by singer/director Dwight Trible, a women's African-drum circle, The Billy McCoy Band and more (5pm); and a wine & cheese reception (6pm). At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; $30 minimum donation; donate at www.theworldstage.org if you can't come.
Sat. Oct. 22 -- Superdrummer Alphonse Mouzon reports Friday: "I've been in the hospital for 12 days and had 2 kidney surgeries. I should be discharged today. I'm feeling better! My show will go on!" Talkin' about his bust-out tribute to the music of John Coltrane and Wayne Shorter with his ace band: saxist Ralph Moore (seen last weekend with Joshua White), pianist Mahesh Balasooriya (got his bop cookin), bassist Jeff Littleton (makes every band sound tops) and star drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith (seen recently with Pharoah Sanders). Wish Alphonse well and chip in for his medical expenses. At Roscoe's Seabird Jazz Lounge, adjacent to Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles, 730 E. Broadway, Long Beach 90802; $20 tickets here; 9pm-1am; (562-787-0899); www.seabirdjazzloungelbc.com.
Sat. Oct. 22 -- Bop saxist Jim Snidero sure scored with this band: pianist John Beasley, bassist Darek Oles and drummer Peter Erskine. 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 $9 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Sun. Oct. 23 -- Drummer Jared Schonig, malletman James Westphall and bassist Dan Loomis, a.k.a. The Wee Trio, bring a tart & smart, rhythmically layered attitude to postmodern jazz; fit-anwhere pianist Josh Nelson augments the group for this record-release party. 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; 21+; parking $9 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Sun. Oct. 23 -- Vibraphonist Stefon Harris, a past master of orchestration and concept, pays tribute to the late Bobby Hutcherson with his quintet featuring flutist Elena Pinderhughes, pianist James Francies, bassist Joshua Crumbly and drummer Terreon Gully. A Jazz Bakery presentation at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, 4718 Washington Blvd., LA 90016; 7pm; $30 (add $20 for each student); www.jazzbakery.org.
Mon. Oct. 24 -- Setting you up for the 'Ween, pianist Lucian Ban and coarse-toned New York violinist Mat Maneri present a "Transylvanian Concert." 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 $9 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Tues.-Wed. Oct. 25-26 -- Trombonist Alan Ferber hits a sweet spot between accessibility and adventure with a topflight nonet featuring brother Mark Ferber on drums as well as guitarist Anthony Wilson and bass clarinetist Brian Walsh. 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 $9 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.