Fri. Nov. 18 -- Avant violist Eyvind Kang, a recent addition to the CalArts faculty, puts his trancible concepts together with a snaky nonet featuring master guitar texturalists Bill Frisell and Timothy Young. At REDCAT, 631 W. Second St., downtown 90012; 8:30pm; $20 (students $16); www.redcat.org.
Fri. Nov. 18 -- Pianist Omar Sosa finds the beauty in the World with the help of trumpeter Joo Kraus. 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. Nov. 19 -- More wizards of the CalArts/HogWarts faculty rise up in gentle harmony: guitarist Larry Koonse, pianist David Roitstein, bassist Darek Oles and drummer Joe LaBarbera. You won't know where to point your ears. 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. Nov. 19 -- Big ol' bill from the European wing of theatrical metal: the Netherlands' classical-derived Epica, Italian deathsters Fleshgod Apocalypse, Russian pagans Arkona and revivified Canadian hard-melodians The Agonist. At the Regent Theater, 448 S. Main St., downtown 90013; 6pm; $30; 16+; www.ticketfly.com. Sorry I misdated this last week.
Sat. Nov. 19 -- Tool drummer Danny Carey and Volto jam triptastically. With Eye of Ember. At Complex, 806 E. Colorado St., Glendale 91205; 9pm; $20; 21+; full bar; www.complexla.com; (323) 642-7519.
Sat. Nov. 19 -- The Los Angeles Jazz Society celebrates Quincy Jones at its annual awards ceremony. At the Montalban Theater, 1615 Vine St., Hollywood 90028; 7:30pm; $40-$150; www.lajazz.org.
Sat. Nov. 19 -- Some people think no good jazz happened after 1963; Elliott Caine doesn't think that way but sympathizes a little. At Colombo's Restaurant, 1833 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041; 9:30pm-midnight; no cover; (323) 254-9138.
Sun. Nov. 20 -- Elliott Caine. At the York Bar and Restaurant, 5018 York Blvd., Highland Park 90042; 7:30-10pm; no cover; (323) 255-9675.
Sun. Nov. 20 -- Woodwind extremist and leader of the local pack Vinny Golia whips up a tornado on a bill with flutist Leah Paul and jazzfunksters Sensae. At Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd. near Alvarado, LA 90057; 8pm; $10; www.bootlegtheater.org.
Sun. Nov. 20 -- Ease back and let Red Fang pound you to a smoking pulp. Them Portland bands always have good guitar tones. With Torche, Whores. At Teragram Ballroom, 1234 W. Seventh St., downtown 90017; 9pm; $22; all ages; www.teragramballroom.com.
Sun. Nov. 20 -- The queens of snarlin' Stoogity, L7, return to the stage and celebrate the new documentary about them, "Pretend We're Dead." With Hit Bargain. At the Troubadour, 9081 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 8pm; SOLD OUT; www.troubadour.com.
Mon. Nov. 21 -- L7. With Sex Stains. At the EchoPlex, 1154 Glendale Blvd., Echo Park 90026; doors 8:30pm; $30 (tix still available!); 18+; www.attheecho.com.
Mon. Nov. 21 -- Nonpoint's Elias Soriano is one of the few voxmen from the nu-metal age who can really sing (not omitting the grit & attitude). With Escape the Fate, Get Scared, Failure Anthem, Through Fire, Danger Escape, The Approach and the Execution. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 6pm; $25; (310) 652-4202; www.whiskyagogo.com.
* * *
RIP: Don Waller, one of the most inspiring music journalists L.A. ever spawned (Back Door Man, L.A. Times, Billboard, many others). Author, entertainer, raconteur -- Don was a limitless font, and it won't be a party without him. Maybe I shouldn't suggest that he rest in peace; he did not major in relaxation.
* * *
Read Don Heckman’s jazz picks here. Read John Payne's plutonic Bluefat.com here.