Fri. Oct. 19 -- A sympathetic piano-drums duo of musicians who can travel both deep inside and far outside: Joshua White & Alex Cline. At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9pm (two sets); $20; www.theworldstage.org.
Fri. Oct. 19 -- Enjoy the peacefully perking electronic brainbath of Daniel Corral's new "Polytope" -- with vivid visuals, too. Check out a video segment here. At Think Tank Gallery, 939 Maple Ave., L.A. 90015; 10pm.
Fri. Oct. 19 -- Fish to Birds improvise jazz vocals in ways you ain't heard. At Sunspace, 9683 Sunland Blvd., Shadow Hills 91040; 8-10pm; $10.
Fri.-Sat. Oct. 19-20 -- Josh Nelson's Discovery Project assembles another of the keyboardist's intriguing post-mainstream lineups featuring guitarist Jeff Parker, violist Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, clarinetist Brian Walsh, singer Kathleen Grace plus five. 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. Oct. 20 -- Chuck Manning & Theo Saunders form the sax-keys phalanx of an entertaining and hugely knowledgeable quartet with bassist Don Kasper 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. Oct. 20 -- El Trio is the fabled fusionisto unit of Whitesnake/Thin Lizzy bassist Marco Mendoza, drummer Joey Heredia and keyboardist Renato Neto. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $25; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Sun. Oct. 21 -- Sure, Marty Friedman gets tired of being called ex-Megadeth guitarist, especially since he's made so many sharp instro records of his own over the past 30 years, like his shreddin' new "One Bad MF Live!!." Venezuelan guitarist Felix Martin opens. At the Viper Room, 8852 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 7:30pm; $25; (310) 652-7869; www.viperroom.com.
Sun. Oct. 21 -- There's only one Willie whose last name is superfluous. That particular distinctive jazz guitarist (among other things) and his Family steer an "Outlaw Music Festival" featuring the Dead's Phil Lesh, plus Sturgill Simpson, Margo Price, Lukas Nelson, Particle Kid. At the Hollywood Bowl, 2301 Highland Ave., Hollywood 90068; 5pm; $45-$200; (323) 850-2000; www.hollywoodbowl.com.
Sun. Oct. 21 -- Anna Homler, Odaya Nini and Laura Steenberge twist their uncompromised throats and sound toys in abstract passion and protest over the entire expanse of Los Angeles from a spot high above it all. A SASSAS presentation at Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, 6300 Hetzler Road, Culver City 90232; 4pm; FREE except for the parking donation.
Sun. Oct. 21 -- Not exactly traditional but not avant either, Alan Chan Jazz Orchestra slots ya into a good time you don't have to feel antiquated about. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $20; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Sun. Oct.. 21 -- Trumpeter Elliott Caine's band hits the jazz junction oldskoolwise. At the York Bar and Restaurant, 5018 York Blvd., Highland Park 90042; 7:30-10pm; no cover; (323) 255-9675.
Tues. Oct. 23 -- Bassist Anthony Shadduck's Quartet and Double Quartet showcase their fine new release, a dewy balance of fresh sensibilities, ear-friendly melody and jungle groove, tapping the talents of top players such as guitarist Jeff Parker, pianist Cathlene Pineda, trumpeter Kris Tiner and drummer Danny Frankel. 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. Oct. 24 -- Dare to enter a thicket of thorny metal logos featuring veteran Manchester deathsters Ingested, plus Enterprise Earth, I Declare War, Bodysnatcher, Aethere, So This Is Suffering. At 1720, 1720 E. 16th St., downtown 90021; doors 6pm; $15; all ages; full bar; food; www.1720.la.
Thurs. Oct. 25 -- Living Colour's Vernon Reid is one of the few axdudes creative & crazy enough to attempt a Jimi jam called Band of Gypsys Revisited. With Pegasus Warning (David S. Ware/DJ Spooky drummer Guillermo E. Brown) and soulful singer-guitarist Van Hunt. At Zebulon, 2478 Fletcher Drive, Frogtown 90039; doors 8pm; $16; 21+; www.zebulon.la.
Thurs. Oct. 25 -- An all-star group you can sure get behind: cornetist Ron Miles, guitarist Bill Frisell and drummer Brian Blades, a.k.a. Circuit Rider, bringing the openhearted beauty. At Moss Theater in the Herb Alpert Educational Village of New Roads School, 3131 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica 90404; 8pm; $40 ($30 students); www.jazzbakery.org.
Thurs. Oct. 25 -- For pure musical expression straight from the nervous system, apply to The Brad Dutz 4tet, featuring the percussionist-composer plus cellist Chris Votek, bass clarinetist Brian Walsh and oboeist Paul Sherman. At Sunspace, 9683 Sunland Blvd., Shadow Hills 91040; 8-10pm; $10.
Thurs. Oct. 25 -- Show your unfriendliness to cancer at Bowl for Ronnie, benefiting the Dio Cancer Fund, along with a steamship full o' rockers including Steven Adler, Doug Aldrich, Chuck Billy, Bob Kulick, Otep Shamaya (wanna see her convert a 7-10 split) and all the hosts of heaven. At Pinz, 12655 Ventura Blvd., Studio City 91604; 6:30pm; $50 and up; info here.