Sat. Aug. 8 -- Pianist Motoko Honda, very electric bassist Steuart Liebig and drummer Joe Berardi stir up the subliminally funky abstraction. At Café Metropol, 923 E. Third St., downtown 90013; 8pm; $10 cover, $10 minimum; (213) 613-1537.
Sun. Aug. 9 -- The World Stage Jazz Fest features The World Stage All-Stars, Phil Ranelin and lots more. In the parking lot at 43rd Street & Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; noon-7pm; FREE.
Mon. Aug. 10 -- The gypsy jazz of Plotz! covers minor-key beauty, rainy gloom and jumping Balkan party music. Featuring trumpeter Daniel Rosenboom, saxist Gavin Templeton, windman Brian Walsh, guitarist Jake Vossler, bassist Orest Balaban and drummer Austin Wrinkle. At El Cid, 4212 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake 90029; 9pm; $10; 21+; (323) 668-0318.
Tues. Aug. 11 -- Black Sabbath with Dio = Heaven & Hell. Hope they play some stuff from their new album, which I review here. The jamming Coheed & Cambria opens. At the Greek.
Wed. Aug. 12 -- Two of our favorite DJs and oldest acquaintances (going back to Back Door Man mag in the ‘70s), Phast Phreddie and Agent 00Soul (Don Waller) spin vintage rarities while Phred’s in town. At Bigfoot Lodge, 3172 Los Feliz Blvd. 90039, 9:30pm; FREE.
Wed. Aug. 12 -- Heckuva lineup of roots masters: Buddy Guy, Dr. John, James Cotton. The blues will be justified. At the Hollywood Bowl, 2301 Highland Ave., Hollywood 90068; 8pm; $1-$96; (323) 850-2000; www.hollywoodbowl.com.
Read Brick’s Picks in LA Weekly here and Don Heckman’s picks here.
It’s okay to start getting excited about this year’s Angel City Jazz Fest, September 9 at the John Anson Ford Theater. Check the great lineup and listen to clips of the artists here.