Fri. Sept. 6 -- Cellist Artyom Manukyan introduces his new album of soulful solo meditations; I'm guessing he'll have guests, though, cuz the local creative-music community has really embraced him since his 2011 arrival. 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. Sept. 6 -- Bill Evans / Bud Shank drummer and CalArts educator Joe LaBarbera receives the L.A. Jazz Society's Jazz Treasure Award and performs with his topline quintet featuring trumpeter Clay Jenkins, saxist Bob Sheppard, pianist Bill Cunliffe, bassist Jonathan Richards; pianist Samantha Quevedo's trio with bassist Dario Bizio and drummer Angelo Velasquez opens. In the courtyard at LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., LA 90036; 6-8pm; FREE; calendar here.
Fri. Sept. 6 -- Piano Fest continues to celebrate L.A. 88ers with a wide-ranging selection of highly recommendable players-composers including Cathlene Pineda (8:00), Joshua White (9:00) and David Roitstein (10:00), with the house rhythm section of Dave Tranchina or Dave Robaire (bass) and Tina Raymond (drums). At Sam First, 6171 W. Century Blvd., L.A. 90045 (near LAX in front of Marriott Courtyard); $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.
Fri.-Sat. Sept. 6-7 -- From Eric Dolphy to Miles Davis and through a vast solo career, bassist Ron Carter has carved out his own space doing what he wants, which includes classical influences and hard-driving jazz. The past master's trio includes guitarist Russell Malone and pianist Donald Vega. At Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 8:30pm Fri., 8:30 & 10:30pm Sat.; $45-$50; (323) 466-2210; www.catalinajazzclub.com.
Sat. Sept 7 -- Terrific abstractionist bill: the long-simmered improvisin' cornet-tuba duo of Bobby Bradford & William Roper, with openers The Smudges (cellist Maggie Parkins and violinist Jeff Gauthier) bringing a fascinating blend of electronics and conceptual spark. At Ark Gallery, 2599 Fair Oaks Ave., Altadena 91001; 8pm; $10; www.ark-arts.com.
Sat. Sept. 7 -- Piano Fest continues to continue with max variety and excellence from Daniel Szabo (8:00), Alan Pasqua (9:00) and Larry Goldings (10:00). At Sam First, 6171 W. Century Blvd., L.A. 90045 (near LAX in front of Marriott Courtyard); $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.
Sat. Sept. 7 -- Cue the Valkyries, it's Swedish melodic-metal veterans Hammerfall. With Ophiuchus, Syn Absence, Masked Jackal, Anibus, Powertribe. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 7pm; $30; (310) 652-4202; www.whiskyagogo.com.
Sun. Sept. 8 -- Buzz yer brain with drone monsters Sunn O))). At the Mayan Theater, 1038 S. Hill St., downtown 90015; 7pm; $38; www.ticketmaster.com.
Sun. Sept. 8 -- Is it pop? Is it art? Guitarist Alex Noice's new album, "Noice," won't answer your questions, but its vocal loops, nagging melodies and austere modern anxiety will suck you into a colorful world you've never visited. With Logan Hone's Similar Fashion, Kidi Band. At Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd. near Alvarado, LA 90057; 8pm; $10; www.bootlegtheater.org.
Tues. Sept. 10 -- Trumpeter Elliott Caine's unstuffy traditional jazz trio performs here every Tuesday this month. At Checker Hall, 104 N. Ave. 56, Highland Park 90042; 7:30-9:30pm; no cover; full bar; food; (323) 509-7416; www.checkerhall.com.
Wed. Sept. 11 -- Keyboardist Gary Fukushima plays his distinctive tunes in a trio with bassist John Paul Maramba and drummer Miles Senzaki. 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.
Wed. Sept. 11 -- Indulge in noise, rhythm and the bitter melodic poetry of David Cotner via Black Love, like mini-minimalist Eno with a bad attitude. Also Atom's Electric Sound Bath, films from Elmer Lang, plus Myriad Slits, Trade Show. And DJ Don Bolles! At Hyperion Tavern, 1941 Hyperion Ave., Los Feliz 90027; 10pm; FREE; (310) 288-3668.
Thurs. Sept. 12 -- An all-star cornet-tuba-percussion trio for the ages: Bobby Bradford, William Roper & Brad Dutz. At Sunspace, 9683 Sunland Blvd., Shadow Hills 91040; 8-10pm; $10.
Thurs. Sept. 12 -- Swedish vets Wolfbrigade bark with baleful death noise and wonderful abstract drumming like a metal Sunny Murray. Also Dropdead, Final Conflict. At 1720, 1720 E. 16th St., downtown 90021; doors 7:30pm; $20; all ages; full bar; food; website here.