Fri. Aug. 17 -- Jeff Parker, Vinny Golia & Alex Cline -- you could hardly ask for a more perfect triangle of guitar-woodwinds-drums atmosphere and avantitude, bolstered by the driving bass of Michael Alvidrez. At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9pm (two sets); $20; www.theworldstage.org.
Fri.-Sat. Aug. 17-18 -- Too tasteful for ya? Chick Corea guitarist Frank Gambale can also get pretty boisterous when he wants to. His band features guitarist Nick Kellie, keyboardist Rique Pantoja, bassist Alex Evans, drummer Joel Taylor and Brazilian-inflected singer Boca, which means mouth. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $25; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Sat. Aug. 18 -- Joshua White & SixOfOne teams the deep & expressive pianist with alto man Josh Johnson, trombonist Michael Dessen, bassist Dean Hulett and drummer Dan Schnelle. A real good one. 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.
Sat. Aug. 18 -- True jazz in a relaxed room: the formidable keys-sax front line of Theo Saunders & Chuck Manning roll atop the reliable support of 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. Aug. 18 -- Local melodic-metal veterans Armored Saint play their 1991 "Symbol of Salvation" in its entirety. With Act of Defiance. At the Regent Theater, 448 S. Main St., downtown 90013; 8pm; $25; 18+; www.ticketfly.com.
Sun. Aug. 19 -- Not many musicians cite extreme guitarist Derek Bailey as an influence, so hats off to the guitar-bass duo of Oliver Steinberg & Jesse Ward. At The Battery Books & Music, 26 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena 91101; 8pm; $5 suggested donation; (626) 376-9913.
Wed. Aug. 22 -- Hey, look! The beautifully intuitive pianist Gerald Clayton, who's done such great work with Charles Lloyd and many others, leads a trio with bassist Alan Hampton and drummer Justin Brown. At Mr. Musichead Gallery, 7420 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90046; 7:30pm; $20-$30; www.justjazz.tv.
Thurs. Aug. 23 -- Uzu Uzu is a suspiciously artful star quartet featuring electrovocalist Kaoru Mansour, subliminal percussionist Brad Dutz, outsville guitarist Tom McNalley and bassist Zephyr Avalon. At Sunspace, 9683 Sunland Blvd., Shadow Hills 91040; 8-10pm; $10.
Thurs. Aug. 23 -- Kneebody bassist Kaveh Rastegar's new "Light of Love" has a coolfunky pop vibe attuned to urban mixin'. 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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RIP Jill Janus of Huntress, who killed herself on Tuesday, depriving us of a charismatic force in melodic-metal vocal expression after a lifetime battling mental illness. Here's some telling stuff from the band's website.