Sat. March 21 -- When saxist Charles Owens conducts the Luckman Jazz Orchestra in a Tribute to John Coltrane, you know they’re gonna do it up -- it’ll draw the finest musicians, and it’ll get the flavor of Africa. Some 20 strong, the orchestra includes such luminaries as saxist Bennie Maupin, trombonists George McMullen and Phil Ranelin, baritone saxist Jack Nimitz and drummer Alphonse Mouzon. And I think vocalist Dwight Trible is onboard, though I can’t confirm that. At Cal State L.A.’s Luckman Fine Arts Complex, 5151 State University Drive, L.A. 90032; 8pm; $35-$40; (323) 343-6600; www.luckmanarts.org.
Sat. March 21 -- An interesting all-star groove unit: The Will Bernard Band, featuring the guitarist plus MMW keysman Bill Medeski, drummer Stanton Moore and drummer Andy Hess. With DJ Medi4 at 8pm and Bill Purdy & his Band at 9pm. At the Roxy, 9009 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; 10pm; $21.50; (310) 278-9457; www.ticketmaster.com.
Sat. March 21 -- You get wide-ranging, original, often heavy fusion and beyond from Mike Keneally Band, featuring the guitarist plus bassist Bryan Bellar, guitarist Rick Musallam and drummer Joe Travers. Read my review of a Keneally record here. Keneally opens for himself with The Haircuts, a trio with Musallam and Spock’s Beard drummer Nick D’Virgilio. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $25; (818) 980-1615.
Sun. March 22 -- Marilyn Manson got his whole mid-‘90s lipstick-and-hat look from Golden Palomistress Syd Straw; she’s twangin’ on a great bill with the band of Dean Chamberlain a.k.a. The Honorable DHC. At Cinema Bar, 3976 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City 90036; 8pm; FREE.
Tues. March 24 -- The deep, semimelodic vintage German thrash of Destruction heads a six-band bill featuring thrash by the numbers from Pittsburgh’s Mantic Ritual, plus evolved percussoblasts and topnotch riffs from Brazil’s excellent Krisiun (read my review of their latest album here. At the Key Club, 9039 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 6:30pm; $23; 15+; www.keyclub.com; (310) 274-5800.
Thurs. March 26 -- LATE ADD: The trio of vibesman Nick Mancini. At the Foundry, 7465 Melrose Ave., Hollywood 90046; 9:30pm-1:30am; no cover; (323) 651-0915.