Fri. March 29 -- Superterrestrial vocalist Dwight Trible celebrates his birthday and the release of his new "Mothership"; read my review here. At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9pm (two sets); $20; www.theworldstage.org.
Fri.-Sat. March 29-30 -- Melodic and conceptic pianist-composer Josh Nelson corrals some of his favorite co-conspirators: guitarist Larry Koonse, clarinetist Brian Walsh, tenor saxist Daniel Rotem, bassist Anna Butterss and drummer Mark Ferber. 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.-Sun. March 30-31 -- The legendary Abdullah Ibrahim & Ekaya carry on the South African pianist's flavorful blend of Monk, avant, classical, balladic and whatyagot with a septet featuring windman Cleave Guyton Jr., tenor saxist Lance Bryant, trombonist Andrae Murchison, baritone saxist Marshall McDonald, bassist Anoah Jackson and drummer Will Terrill. Beauty reigns. At Moss Theater in the Herb Alpert Educational Village of New Roads School, 3131 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica 90404; 8pm Sat., 5pm Sun.; $45/$40 (students $30); www.jazzbakery.org.
Sat. March 30 -- Mainstream jazz can still belt ya between the eyes when it arrives via the experienced quartet of trumpeter Nolan Shaheed with pianist Sam Hirsh, bassist Henry Franklin and drummer Roy McCurdy. At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9pm (two sets); $20; www.theworldstage.org.
Sat. March 30 -- Long-running Belgian deathsters Aborted spread visions of terror; Canadian death abstractionists Cryptopsy (pictured) chronicle 30 years of demon worship. With Crematorium, Benighted, Hideous Divinity. At 1720, 1720 E. 16th St., downtown 90021; doors 6pm; $20; all ages; full bar; food; www.1720.la.
Sat. March 30 -- Draw daggers with California black-metalmen Sicarius. Also Horna, Cultus Profano, Draconian Oracle, Anshelm. At Five Star Bar, 267 S. Main St., downtown 90012; doors 7pm; $25; https://fivestarbardtla.com; (323) 428-4492.
Sun. March 31 -- Baba Orchestra leader and violinist Lauren Baba scales things to novella size. With Off Cell. At The Battery Books & Music, 26 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena 91101; 8pm; $7 suggested donation; (626) 376-9913.
Sun. March 31 -- Shafiq Husayn takes his funky hip-hop worldwide. At Del Monte Speakeasy in the basement of the Townhouse, 52 Windward Ave., Venice 90291; 10pm; FREE; 21+; www.townhousevenice.com.
Mon. March 1 -- Respected local multi-instrumentalist Dexter Story re-creates his entire new Afro-tech album "Bahir" with the finest jammers. DJ Cut Chemist supports. At Zebulon, 2478 Fletcher Drive, Frogtown 90039; doors 8pm; $10; 21+; www.zebulon.la.
Wed. March 3 -- Globally traveled trumpet sensualist Theo Croker (grandson of Doc Cheatham) leads a quietly surging local quintet featuring pianist Paul Cornish, bassist Trevor Ware, drummer Jonathan Pinson and percussionist Allakoi Peete. At Mr. Musichead Gallery, 7420 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90046; 7:30pm; $15-$25; www.justjazz.tv.
Wed. March 3 -- Paris experimentalist Anais Maviel twists body and tuning pegs; San Diegans Kyle Motl & Paul N. Roth take a different squint at jazz. At The Battery Books & Music, 26 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena 91101; 8pm; $5 suggested donation; (626) 376-9913.