Fri. Aug. 21 -- The Jeff Kollman Band presents the funkfusion superguitarist in a trio with bassist Andre Menga and drummer Raul Pineda. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $20; (818) 980-1615.
Sun. Aug. 23 -- You O.C. readers who dig the avant, BOOKMARK THE LINK and watch it for shows, cuz I don’t normally list non-L.A. events, but this O.C. Creative Music Collective series is something special. This time it’s the fabulous veteran Italian percussionist Andrea Centazzo and the evolving duo of flutist Emily Hay and pianist Motoko Honda. At 614 N. Bush St., Santa Ana 92701; 6:30pm; pay as you will; visit here.
Wed. Aug. 26 -- Going back to the jazz source with those who know how: The Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band (featuring some of the late Diz’s finest surviving collaborators including saxist James Moody, trombonist Slide Hampton and saxist Jimmy Heath), plus part-time revivalist Roy Hargrove and his big band, crack crowd-pleasers Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, and vocalist Roberta Gambarini. At the Hollywood Bowl, 2301 Highland Ave., Hollywood 90068; 8pm; $1-$96; (323) 850-2000; www.hollywoodbowl.com.
Thurs.-Sat. Aug. 27-29 -- The tenor of Pharoah Sanders blows the spiritual Trane whistle. At Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 8 & 10pm; $20-$35; (323) 466-2210; www.catalinajazzclub.com.
Thurs. Aug. 27 -- Healing funk and space jams from the Israeli & American groove trio Maetar. At Harvelle’s, 1432 Fourth St., Santa Monica 90401; 9:30pm; cheap; (310) 395-1676.
Thurs. Aug. 27 -- Grammy-winning New Orleans trumpeter Terence Blanchard gets interviewed and performs with his band; his rather adventurous new album (with words interspersed from deep thinker Cornel West) is “Choices.” At the Grammy Museum, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite A245, downtown 90015; 8pm, doors 6:30pm; $20; $45 presale package (via American Express only) includes 7pm cocktail reception and a copy of the album; (213) 765-6800; www.grammymuseum.org; www.ticketmaster.com.
Read Brick’s Picks in LA Weekly here and Don Heckman’s picks here.
Mark your calendar to avoid leaving town during this year’s Angel City Jazz Fest, Sunday and Monday of Labor Day Weekend, September 6-7 at the John Anson Ford Theater in Hollywood’s Cahuenga Pass. Check the great lineup (Dave Douglas, Bennie Maupin, Tapscott vets, Billy Childs, Alex Cline, lots more) and listen to clips of the artists here.