Fri. Feb. 17 -- Black metal at its most evil: Swedish veterans Marduk. With Incantation, Svart Crown, Icon of Phobos, Highland. At the Regent Theater, 448 S. Main St., downtown 90013; 6pm; $23; 18+; www.ticketfly.com.
Fri. Feb. 17 -- A distinguished crew of hard boppers make up The Cookers: bluesy tenor man Billy Harper, trumpeter Eddie Henderson (Herbie Hancock), trumpeter David Weiss (Tim Hagans), alto saxist Donald Harrison (Terence Blanchard), pianist George Cables (Art Pepper), bassist Cecil McBee (Charles Lloyd) and drummer Billy Hart (everybody). A Jazz Bakery presentation at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, 4718 Washington Blvd., LA 90016; 8pm; $35; www.jazzbakery.org.
Fri. Feb. 17 -- Keyboardist Mark de Clive-Lowe, master of the spacious modern groove, celebrates the release of his live album (recorded right here!) with saxist Josh Johnson, bassist Corbin Jones,drummer Brandon Combs and singer Nia Andrews, with live visuals from Travis Flournoy & Ellie Rex. 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. Feb. 18 -- Murky, metallic and sometimes dissonant, Seattle's He Whose Ox Is Gored pour out sludge with steel shards (and synth) in it. With Dust Moth, QunQ. At the Echo, 1822 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park 90023; 5:30-9pm; $10; all ages; (213) 413-8200; www.attheecho.com.
Sun. Feb. 19 -- Omnisession bassist Paul Bryan (Elvis Costello, Norah Jones) puts together a fascinating quartet with moody saxist Chris Speed, pianist Lee Pardini and local fave drummer Matt Mayhall. And: Avant clarinetist Brian Walsh digs in with edgy L.A. standard bearers Alex Noice (guitar) and Trevor Anderies (drums). Also: Afro-electro solo drums from Battery. At Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd. near Alvarado, LA 90057; 8pm; $7; 21+; www.bootlegtheater.org.
Sun. Feb. 19 -- Have a martini and dig the trad-based jazz of trumpeter Elliott Caine's ensemble. At the York Bar and Restaurant, 5018 York Blvd., Highland Park 90042; 7:30-10pm; no cover; (323) 255-9675.
Sun. Feb. 19 -- Goh Kurosawa can pull stunning lines, harmonies and percussive activities from any guitar; today he goes solo acoustic and still sounds like a sextet. With Brazlian classical guitar from Tristan Aronovich and two-hand tapping from Joshua Lopez, plus live painting from Pete Morris. Brilliant Strings at MorYork Gallery, 4959 York Blvd., Eagle Rock 90042; 3pm; free but donations accepted.
Tues. Feb. 21 -- The atmospheric record label Cold Blue presents spare compositions by Nicholas Chase performed by violinist Robin Lorentz with electronic accompaniment. At Monk Space, 4414 W. Second St. near Western, Los Angeles 90004; 8pm; $20 ($10 students); www.monkspace.com.
Thurs. Feb. 23 -- The deaf, the blind and anyone else can appreciate the cool souljazz of singer Gillian Margot and her superlative band with established mainstream jazz soldier and regular piano collaborator Geoffrey Keezer, bassist Carlitos Del Puerto and bigthumpin' drummer Gene Coye. 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.
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Read Don Heckman’s jazz picks here. Read John Payne's plutonic Bluefat.com here. Read Brick Wahl's noirish music commentaries here.