Fri.-Sat. May 25-26 -- John Daversa's Contemporary Big Band means contemporary as in now, not 40 years ago, featuring the trumpeter's fresh, melodic compositions as executed by a lot of skilled players, including sensitive saxist Damon Zick and slammin' drummer Gene Coye. Observe the cunning way they're all shoehorned onto this tiny stage. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $28; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Sat. May 26 -- Veteran drummer Don Littleton swings a truckload with wide-ranging cohorts Pablo Calogero (windman for Phil Ranelin, Carla Bley, James White), Mike Alvidrez (bassist for Atomic Sherpas) and Robert J. Carmack (spoken word). At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9pm (two sets); $20; www.theworldstage.org.
Sat. May 26 -- Slower than the heart of a hibernating bear, Primitive Man growl the doom metal. With Celeste, Infernal Coil. At Union, 4067 W. Pico Blvd., L.A. 90019; 8pm; $18; all ages; www.unionclubla.com.
Sat.-Sun. May 26-27 -- I ain't saying Eddie Money, Dave Mason and The Chambers Brothers CAN'T play zydeco, and they certainly know something about the blues, but their inclusion in Cajun & Blues Fest is just a bonus to the raft of more directly related acts, including Devon Allman, Lisa Haley et multos alios. Dunno if you'll be allowed to kneel for the national anthem, scheduled for 11:45am sharp, but I hear slavery is a choice. Only 45 minutes away at Rancho Santa Susana Community Center, 5005 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley 93063; noon-7pm; $30; www.simicajun.org.
Tues. May 29 -- East Coast grinders Full of Hell head a serious metal bill with Arizona deathsters Gatecreeper, plus Deadbeat, Whelm. At the Hi-Hat, 5043 York Blvd., Highland Park 90042; 8pm; $15; www.hihat.la.
Thurs. May 31 -- Trumpeter Elliott Caine's ensemble serves ya jazz straight and warm. 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.