Fri. July 26 -- '90s industrial numetalmen Static-X memorialize late vocalist Wayne Static; let's hope DevilDriver do some of their scorching re-smelts of outlaw country tunes. Plus Dope, Wednesday 13, Raven Black. At Jewel's Catch One, 4067 W. Pico Blvd. (east of Crenshaw), L.A. 90019; doors 7:30pm; $30; (323) 734-8849; website here.
Fri. July 26 -- Holistic saxist David Binney continues his long residency, which he should cuz he brings in sharp players and sophisticated ideas. 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.
Fri. July 26 -- The guitar-keys duo Grex stirs the angular soup; Similar Fashion rocks avantjazz style. At The Battery Books & Music, 26 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena 91101; 8pm; $8 suggested donation; (626) 376-9913.
Fri.-Sun. July 26-28 -- Deathfest brings a glut of gore, negativity and dark technical skill with the likes of Funebrarum, Devourment (Fri.); Mortician, personal faves Sadistic Intent (pictured, Sat. 7:30); and Grave, Hirax (Sun.). At 1720, 1720 E. 16th St., downtown 90021; doors 7pm Fri., 3pm Sat. & Sun.; $20-$27 tix and full lineup here(Sat. & Sun. sold out but you could try showing up early); all ages; full bar; food; www.1720.la.
Sat. July 27 -- L.A.'s post-traditional jazz cream floats toward saxist Danny Janklow, whose Elevation Band features pianist John Beasley, vibraphonist Nick Mancini, bassist Nick Clark and drummer Jonathan Pinson. 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. July 27 -- Lauded young Brooklyn trumpeter Adam O'Farrill finds that spare, swinging pocket you like to fall into with trio mates Chris Fishman (keys) and Justin Brown (drums). At Sam First, 6171 W. Century Blvd., L.A. 90045 (near LAX in front of Marriott Courtyard); 8 & 9:30pm; $15 plus one-drink minimum per set; full bar; snacks; small parking lot in rear, reduced-rate validated parking at nearby Joe's Auto Park; (424) 800-2006; www.samfirstbar.com.
Sat.-Sun. July 27-28 -- Amazing bill for the Central Avenue Jazz Fest this year. Saturday includes among others Barbara Morrison (12:30), Eric Reed (2:00), Justo Almario (3:00), Katalyst (3:45) and Stefon Harris (6:15). Sunday packs in Munyungo Jackson (11:45), Azar Lawrence (1:10), Smitty Smith (4:20) and Cassandra Wilson (6:00). On Central Avenue between MLK and Vernon, South L.A. 90011; FREE; food & crafts; full lineup here.
Sat. July 27 -- Metal victims descend on the Knotfest Roadshow to be impaled, hung and devoured by Behemoth, Slipknot, Gojira, Volbeat and more. At Glen Helen Amphitheater, 2575 Glen Helen Parkway, San Bernardino 92407; 4pm; $20-$250; www.livenation.com.
Sat.-Sun. July 27-28 -- Find out what SASSAS's "Sound" outmusic series has been doing for two decades in a multi-room video retrospective chronicling the likes of Wadada Leo Smith, Mike Kelley, Pauline Oliveros and many more. At the Schindler House, 833 N. Kings Road, West Hollywood; 11am-6pm; FREE; www.sassas.org.
Sun. July 28 -- Dig Adam Levy, admired by ace guitarists for his improvisational innovation, in a trio with organist Carey Frank and drummer Ralph Humphrey. At Sam First, 6171 W. Century Blvd., L.A. 90045 (near LAX in front of Marriott Courtyard); 8 & 9:30pm; $20 plus one-drink minimum per set; full bar; snacks; small parking lot in rear, reduced-rate validated parking at nearby Joe's Auto Park; (424) 800-2006; www.samfirstbar.com.
Mon. July 29 -- Guitarist Julian Coryell has a whole different sound than dad Larry's, more modern and rockish. With bassist Ric Fierabracci and drummer Andy Sanesi. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $15; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Tues. July 30 -- Filmmaker Labkhand Olfatmanesh examines the conflicts of parenthood in a short experimental film with live soundtrack by guitarist/electroman Matt Piper, cellist Maggie Parkins and bassist Curt Remington; artist Scott Froschauer augments. At MiM Gallery, 4654 W. Washington Blvd., Arlington Heights 90016; 7-9pm; details here.
Wed. July 31 -- For his funky imagination and rugged individualism, I sometimes think of saxist Greg Osby as The Last Avanteer. He tells it to ya unstraight with pianist Miro Sprague, bassist Dave Robaire and drummer Christian Euman. At Mr. Musichead Gallery, 7420 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90046; 7:30pm; $15-$25; www.justjazz.tv.
Wed. July 31 -- The old guard is a damn good guard when it's the Nolan Shaheed/Henry Franklin Quartet, featuring trumpeter Shaheed, bassist Franklin, pianist Sam Hirsh and drummer Roy McCurdy. 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. July 31 -- Trumpeter Elliott Caine brings his rich postbop vocabulary to the Hollywood stage in a quintet with tenor saxist Scott Gilman, pianist Peter Smith, bassist Trevor Ware and drummer Sinclair Lott. At Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 8pm; $20; (323) 466-2210; www.catalinajazzclub.com.