Fri. June 30 – A formidable sax-piano front line of melodic modernists: David Binney & Billy Childs, plus bassist Andy McCauley and drummer Andres Salazar. 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.
Fri. June 30 – Saxist Justo Almario can blow the last 70 years of jazz in one set if he wants to, which you should hope he does. At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9pm (two sets); $20; www.theworldstage.org
Sat. July 1 – Few bassists bring back the revolutionary '60s vibe like Roberto Miranda, and what a group: violist Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, keyboardist Wayne Peet and drummer Makela Session (son of Michael Session; the blood runs true). At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9pm (two sets); $20; www.theworldstage.org.
Sat. July 1 – Keyboardist Billy Childs sure has a lot of bands. Prophecy must be on the fusionistic side (cuz of the venue), but the addition of poet Paul Calderon to the trio with bassist Ben Shepherd and drummer Donald Barrett lets you know Childs is expanding the language as always. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $25; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Sat. July 1 – Rise up and tear it down with the contained whirlwind of Burning Ghosts (trumpeter Daniel Rosenboom, guitarist Jake Vossler, drummer Aaron McLendon and bassist Richard Giddens). Read my review of their new "Reclamation" here and arrive early, cuz I expect this will sell out. 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.
Sat. July 1 – Garretson & Gorodetsky (with saxist Vince Meghrouni) are a quiet, intelligent and naturalistic group well suited to this riverside outdoor lounge. Appropriately themed support comes from Hollow Trees and Bees Knees. At the Frog Spot, 2825 Benedict St., L.A. 90039 (east of the 2/5 junction, near the river); 5-8pm.
Sat. July 1 – The roots of modern metal extend directly to Brit gallopers Iron Maiden. With revolving-door throwback heavies Ghost (who may not be visible if they play in daylight), Florida power-metal classicists Kamelot and Bay thrash founders Exodus. At Glen Helen Amphitheater, 2575 Glen Helen Parkway, San Bernardino 92407; 3:30pm; $30-$100; (909) 880-6500; www.livenation.com.
Sun. July 2 – A nice little jazz fest with solid talent sponsored by a local empowerment group: warm & real singer Barbara Morrison, Afro-groove saxist Michael Session, tradbop trumpeter Elliott Caine, and the Mongo Santamaria-lovin' rhythms of José Rizo's Mongorama (usually featuring Justo Almario). At St. Andrews Recreation Center, 8701 S. St. Andrews Pl., Inglewood 90047; 11am-5pm; FREE; (323) 485-7616.
Sun. July 2 – "Ten Technicians Named Ted" by the Brad Dutz 10tet represents another advance for the innovative composer-percussionist. With a Prokofievian tonal palette, a gnarled melodic sense, splashes of shivery harmony and an ever-shifting field of rhythmic interaction, this is demanding music, but it demands more from the players than from the listener. (Fave title: "Transcribing Trane Takes Time.") More and more, Dutz has succeeded in engaging the ear with his lightness and humor, leaving us with a feeling of peace and refreshment rather than the exhaustion typical of much avant music. Tonight, Dutz features the same superb musicians: tuba wild card William Roper, wind mainstay Kim Richmond (check his bristling alto solo on the first track), melodic trumpet avantist John Fumo, drummer (and co-producer) Chris Wabich, cellist Peter Jacobson, bassist Trey Henry, bassoonist Charles Fernandez and oboe man Glen Berger. Respected Sacramento guitarist Ross Hammond opens. At Center for the Arts, 2225 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041; 7pm; $10; (626) 795-4989.
Mon. July 3 – Composer and multiwind explorer/exploder Vinny Golia leads a group of the best, who want to play with him because he expands their brains. 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.
Wed. July 5 – The subtle plucks, clonks and dings of early Mesoamerican instruments resonate strongly when Luis Pérez Ixoneztli & Christopher Garcia apply their seasoned knowledge. At Zebulon, 2478 Fletcher Drive, Frogtown 90039; doors 8pm; $10; 21+; www.zebulon.la.
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Geri Allen, 1957-2007. I was not prepared to learn of pianist Geri Allen's death from cancer at the age of 60. First hearing her records in 1989, I took every opportunity to experience her live, including her early intellectual ferocity at a CalArts concert, an all-star trio with Ron Carter and Tony Williams at Catalina's, her re-introduction of piano's joys to Ornette Coleman in San Francisco, and her gentle support, tempered by motherhood, of Charles Lloyd at Royce Hall. Allen never stopped growing, and her latter-day alignment with Motema Records became a heaven-sent opportunity to show the growth. (Read a couple of my 2010 reviews here.) When I asked her partner Wallace Roney about her in 1992, he just knitted his brows and said, "Geri is a very deep person." Amen. Coincidence: I just learned that Allen's birthday was the same as that of someone very close to me, and 2011's "A Child Is Born" was a tribute to a rather influential religious figure who shares my own birthday. Here's to the creative, unpredictable, sensitive Geminis.
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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.