Sat. Jan. 24 -- Under the direction of Charles Owens, the amazing Luckman Jazz Orchestra (which includes the distinguished likes of Alphonse Mouzon, Trevor Ware, Phil Ranelin, Bennie Maupin, Jack Nimitz and William Roper) presents a tribute to saxist Wayne Shorter, a man from whom Miles Davis stole more composing credits than from any other of his musicians. At Cal State L.A.’s Luckman Fine Arts Complex, 5151 State University Drive, L.A. 90032; 8pm; $40; (323) 343-6600; www.luckmanarts.org.
Sun. Jan. 25 -- Cattle Decapitation’s new “The Harvest Floor” lets up not an erg from the San Diego quartet’s long-standing commitment to radical metal and veganism. With new drummer David McGraw onboard, the Cattlemen have attained their most extreme level of double-kick saturation and noise assault, yet their dense orchestrations often remind me of classical music, and moments of sheer beauty sometimes float up from amid the doomy dirges and quick-changing bluster. Album guests include Ross Sewage (Impaled), Jarboe (Swans) and Jackie Perez Gratz (Grayceon). Gotta like a band whose MySpace page lists its genres as “death metal/grindcore/country.” Cattle Decapitation and prog-metalers Psyopus head an 11-band bill that starts at 5:30. At the Knitting Factory, 7021 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood 90028; $12; http://la.knittingfactory.com.
Mon. Jan. 26 -- Newness of newness: A promising series of New Music Mondays launches with the twisted miniatures and Babel vocalizations of Joseph Berardi and Kira Vollman as Non Credo, the punk cabaret of Cat Hair Ensemble, 21st-century abstract piano from Motoko Honda, and multifaceted longtime avantist Walter Zooi. At South Pasadena Music Center and Conservatory, 1509 Mission St., South Pasadena 91030; 8pm; $5; free parking behind; (626) 403-2300; www.southpasadenamusic.com.
Tues. Jan. 27 -- A classy, concise European piano trio? Sounds good. Pianist Jean Michel Pilc with drummer Ari Hoenig and bassist Hans Glawischnig. At Jazz Bakery, 3233 Helms Ave., West L.A. 90034; 8 & 9:30pm; $25; (310) 271-9039; www.jazzbakery.org.
Wed. Jan. 28 -- Greek metal tends to be less orthodox than most; with Rotting Christ you get rumbling drive, melodic black-metal guitars and weird noise to go along with your vocal rasp and Jesus hatred. Good band. At House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; 7pm; $25; (323) 848-5800; www.ticketmaster.com.
Wed. Jan. 28 -- I watched the DVD of Brian Wilson’s “Smile” again the other night -- it damn well holds up. The ‘60s era of epic pop produced some gems, y’know, and God didn’t care how unhip Wilson was, He just came down and laid the Gift on the dude. Seeing the Beach Bard live is a bizarre exercise in confliction; you just gotta let go. And, of course, hock your jewelry. At the Wiltern, 3790 Wilshire Blvd., LA 90010; $65-$134; (213) 388-1400; www.ticketmaster.com.
Wed.-Sat. Jan. 28-31 -- One of the last links to true bop alto: 82-year-old Bud Shank, a real master with a classic band: pianist Bill Mays, bassist Bob Magnusson and drummer Joe La Barbera. At Jazz Bakery, 3233 Helms Ave., West L.A. 90034; 8 & 9:30pm; $25-$30; (310) 271-9039; www.jazzbakery.org.