Fri. July 17 -- Justo Almario’s Afro-Colombian Ensemble features the tenor saxist’s big, comfortable sound with a lotta beat layers underneath. At Grand Performances in California Plaza, 350 S. Grand Ave., downtown 90071; noon; FREE.
Sat. July 18 -- Soldiers in the roots revolution: Have you read David N. Meyer’s “Twenty Thousand Roads: The Ballad of Gram Parsons and His Cosmic American Music”? In a field crowded with Parsons bios, MetalJazz friend Meyer wrote one that stands out for thoroughness and style, and got rewarded with inclusions on a number of Year’s Best lists last year; now the book’s out in paperback. The author will read some choice bits. At Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; 5pm; free; (310) 659-3110; www.booksoup.com.
Sat. July 18 -- For the skankers, freakers and beatniks, it’s Thelonious Dub. At Pinocchio’s Pizza, 1449 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena 91104; call for time; (626) 791-7591.
Sun. July 19 -- Jazz Bakery fund raiser. Want to support the relocation of the Jazz Bakery, which has brought so many master musicians to our burg? A mess of Grammy-winning artists do too, and your contribution supports the cause. The lineup: Kenny Burrell, Hubert Laws, Alan Bergman, Alan Broadbent, Tierney Sutton, Bill Henderson and Mike Melvoin. At the Grammy Museum, 800 W. Olympic Blvd. (entrance on Figueroa, parking in the East Garage off Olympic), downtown 90015; 7:30pm; $40; (213) 765-6803; www.jazzbakery.org.
Sun. July 19 -- Open Gate presents another silent film with live music. This time it’s Buster Keaton in “The General,” with sound by percussionists Brad Dutz, Joe Berardi and David Shaffer, windman Jasper Dutz, violist Alec Santamaria, and English hornist Camille Liu. Opening is a puppet (etc.) show staged by Will Salmon, Tuba Heatherton, Ashley Thaxton and Spencer Ludwig. At Center for the Arts, 2225 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041; 8pm; $5; (626) 795-4989.
Tues. July 21 -- Bruce Duff celebrates his wife Else’s birthday by crankin’ balls-out guitar in the AC/DC-kindred Angus Khan -- “Call me motherf*cker -- that’s MISTER Motherf*cker to you!” shrieks Derek Christensen in a voice exactly halfway between Bon Scott and Brian Johnson. A damn fine band. Birthday greetin’s start at 9; the band plays at 10:30. At Crazy Girls (a strip joint, 21+ obviously), 1433 N. La Brea Ave., Hollywood 90028; $10 ($5 if you know the group); (323) 969-0055.
Wed. July 22 -- Dunno whether a majority of metal observers groove on Lacuna Coil’s roaring intensity or just think throatwoman Cristina Scabbia is hot, but both are good reasons, and these Italians have gained a strong following through hard work and persistence. At House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; four bands starting 8pm; $17.50-$22.50; all ages; (323) 848-5800; www.ticketmaster.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.