Fri. March 23 -- David Binney is the cleanest, smartest modern saxist on the block; his nonet includes pianist Paul Cornish and trumpeter Michael Gutierrez. 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.
Fri. March 23 -- Three unusual guitarists walk into a bookstore: Alan Tofighi, Maxwell Denney & Michael Jon Fink. At The Battery Books & Music, 26 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena 91101; 8pm; $5 suggested donation; (626) 376-9913.
Fri. March 23 -- Urban country legends I See Hawks in L.A. are smart enough not to act like they're smarter than you. With Great Willow. At the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N. Lake Ave., Altadena 91001; 8pm; $18; reservations (626) 794-2424; cash or checks only; no booze; www.coffeegallery.com.
Fri.-Sat. March 23-24 -- Stone Raiders are Hendrixy guitarist Jean-Paul Bourelly, Stones bassist Darryl Jones and Living Colour drummer Will Calhoun, nuff said. This will burn. At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9pm (two sets); $20; www.theworldstage.org.
Sun. March 25 -- Haven't seen lyrical extremists Burning Ghosts yet? Do it now and read my review here. With Wax People. 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. March 25 -- Did you always suspect that Mesoamerica and India were the same place? Let the vibrational duo of Christopher Garcia & Tasha Smith Godinez prove it to you with harp, violin and various ancient instruments. At Clockshop, 2806 Clearwater St., Frogtown 90039; 6pm; $20; www.clockshop.org.
Sun. March 25 -- Singer Darynn Dean assembles a stellar septet featuring trumpeter Brian Schwartz and bassist Michael Alvidrez. At the Mayme Clayton Museum, 4130 Overland Ave., Culver City 90230; interview 1pm, music 2pm; $20; limited seating; (310) 202-1647.
Sun. March 25 -- Gripping his bass and jamming econo, revisit Mike Watt & the Missingmen, featuring Tom Watson and Raul Morales. With Cheap Tissue, Cat Scan. At the Moroccan Lounge, 901 E. First St., downtown 90012; Watt 9pm; $8; www.themoroccan.com; (213) 395-0610.
Sun. March 25 -- Among the slower and more sensual of the tectonic sludge bands, it's Portland's Usnea. With Un, Skyeater, Pendulous. At the Hi-Hat, 5043 York Blvd., Highland Park 90042; 9pm; $10; www.hihat.la.
Wed. March 28 -- No singer, no attitude, just heavy, inventive, proggistic instumentals: Zinngeschrei. At Five Star Bar, 267 S. Main St., downtown 90012; 9pm; $10; https://fivestarbardtla.com; (323) 428-4492.
Wed. March 28 -- Freedom rings with Jackfruit Condenser, featuring clarinetist Alicia Byer, saxist Alexander Vogel and bassist Jeff Schwartz. Multidisciplinary composer Corey Fogel opens. At The Battery Books & Music, 26 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena 91101; 7pm; $8 suggested donation; (626) 376-9913.
Thurs. March 29 -- Well balanced and welcoming post-traditional jazz: pianist Josh Nelson with vibesman Nick Mancini, bassist Jordan Richards and drummer Shawn Baltazor. 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.
Thurs. March 29 -- The Darkness pop high and rock hard, one of the best bands of the last decade; read my live review here. With the invitingly named Diarrhea Planet. At the Henry Fonda Music Box Theater, 6122 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 9pm; $30; (323) 464-0808; www.fondatheatre.com.
Thurs. March 29 -- Vet thrashers Bonded by Blood lead the metal phalanx with Nova Reign, Ravage Realm, Anti-Hero, Syn Absence. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 6pm-ish; $15-ish; (310) 652-4202; www.whiskyagogo.com.
Thurs. March 29 -- Vicki Ray gives a free preview of next week's Zipper Hall show focusing on piano + electronics via several modern composers. At the Santa Monica Public Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica 90401; 7:30pm; free; smpl.org; (310) 458-8600.
Thurs. March 29 -- Traditional postbop gets nontraditionally selected by the ensemble of trumpeter Elliott Caine. At Saladang Garden Restaurant, 383 S. Fair Oaks Blvd., Pasadena 91105; 7-10pm; no cover; (626) 793-5200.
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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.