Fri. April 20 -- The trumpet-bass-drums trio Maetar cools out 4/20 with swaying rhythm and trippy melody in a resonant old church. Also dig sitar player Aloke Dasgupta, plus Michael Jost & Dreamscape and video art from Karen Criswell. At the Chuch in Ocean Park, 235 Hill St., Santa Monica 90405; doors 7pm; $20.
Fri. April 20 -- I ain't ashamed to admit I played Wishbone Ash's two-guitar Brit flash-rock a lot in 1970, and the lineup still features axman Andy Powell. "Phoenix," dude. Antehero and Train River open. At the Canyon Club, 28912 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills 91301; 7pm; $24-$38; (818) 879-5016; www.canyonclub.net. Also at The Rose Sat.
Sat. April 21 -- Hit the pocket with the finest of L.A.'s post-traditional jazzmen: drummer Willie Jones III plus pianist Eric Reed, saxist Ralph Moore, trumpeter Mike Olmos and bassist Mike Gurrola. At Moss Theater in the Herb Alpert Educational Village of New Roads School, 3131 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica 90404; 8pm; $25; www.jazzbakery.org.
Sat. April 21 -- Saxist Chuck Manning wheels jazz that's just non-straightforward enough with keyboardist Quinn Johnson, bassist Harvey Newmark and drummer Mark Stevens. At Desert Rose Restaurant, 1700 N. Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz 90027; 7-11pm; free, reservations advisable; (323) 666-1166; desertroserestaurant.com.
Sat. April 21 -- Wishbone Ash (see Fri.). Smash Fashion and Mistaken Identity open. At the Rose, 245 E. Green St., Pasadena 91101; doors 7pm, reserved spots must be grabbed by 7pm, headliner 9pm; $24-$48; (888) 645-5006; www.roseconcerts.com.
Sat. April 21 -- Hey, SST house producer and all-around musician/storyteller Spot celebrates an exhibit of his photos from a new book (running at nearby Cornelius Projects) with a bang-up show featuring David McIntire's 2-Bit Whore (11:30), Spot & Mugger in a reunion of Los Olvidados Nig Heist (10:45), Minutemen drummer George Hurley and The Farmers (10:00) and Mike Watt in The Real Oh My (9:15). At Harold's Place, 1908 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro 90731.
Sun. April 22 -- Is it still Judas Priest without axmen Glenn Tipton (Parkinson's) or KK Downing (retired)? With hot guitarist Richie Faulkner well settled in and master engineer-guitarist Andy Sneap filling in behind ultrasinger Rob Halford and the proven dynamic rhythm section of bassist Ian Hill and drummer Scott Travis, I'd say yeah. Read my review of their fine new "Firepower" here. Spectacular bill with Brit proto-metal sloggers Saxon and superb Thin Lizzy spinoff Black Star Riders, so don't come late. At L.A. Live's Microsoft Theater, 777 Chick Hearn Court, downtown 90015; doors 6pm; $50-$160; www.microsofttheater.com.
Sun. April 22 -- The life of late Megadeth drummer Nick Menza is celebrated in a family benefit and auction of rare memorabilia; performers include Chris Poland, Roy Z and many more. At the Lucky Strike Live, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood 90028 (in Hollywood & Highland mall), doors 5pm, show 7pm; $20 tix here.
Mon. April 23 -- Wild evening. Valued local guitarist Alexander Noice starts things off with a sextet (Gavin Templeton on winds) showcasing his disharmonized modern compositions and stealthy rock underpinnings. Then the 17-piece BABA Orchestra (Joey Sellers on trombone, Gary Fukushima on piano) essays the dark, multirooted compositions of conductor Lauren Elizabeth Baba. Where else are you gonna get both the most adventurous music and a damn cocktail? 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. April 25 -- Drummer Trevor Anderies, oft heard in local circles, compiles a star band with vibesman Nick Mancini, alto saxist Gavin Templeton and bassist Ben Shepherd, no earplugs required. 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. April 25 -- Many the breakups, many the solo albums, but epic Texas hard-rock royalty King's X keep getting together, cuz nothing beats that soulful, expansive trio magic. With Magnetico, Road Vikings. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; 8pm; $20; (310) 652-4202; www.whiskyagogo.com.
Thurs. April 16 -- Saxist David Binney, penetrating in both mind and tone, continues his residency. 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.