Fri. Nov. 19 -- Awesome bill featuring Guitar World shredmasters and some of the heaviest border-crossing metal around: Zakk Wylde in El G*y's Black Label Society, and Alexi Laiho (pictured) in Finland's Children of Bodom. Read my review of BLS's latest record here. Plus serviceable Zakk pals Clutch. At Hollywood Palladium, 6215 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 6:30pm; $40.50-$51; www.ticketmaster.com; (323) 962-7600.
Fri. Nov. 19 -- Classic elemental Swedish black metal is good for drankin and headbangin, and Watain will keep yer tankard sloshed. Plus Goatwhore (riveting front man Ben Falgoust and a gripping rhythmic assault) and six more. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 6pm; $20; www.whiskyagogo.com; (310) 652-4202.
Fri. Nov. 19 -- Violinist Michael White, whose Afro-jazz lineage extends back 40 years, leads a quintet in unusually attractive Latin-tinged compositions. At the Blue Whale on the third floor of Weller Court Plaza, south of East First Street between South Los Angeles Street and South San Pedro Street, Little Tokyo 90012; 9pm-midnight; $10; validated parking on Second Street; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Sat. Nov. 20 -- Pianist Larry Karush, with a bunch of edge-pushing new compositions under his belt, leads a stellar local quartet featuring bassist Chris Colangelo, percussionists Randy Gloss & Brad Dutz, and flutist Danilo Lozano. Surefire. At the Bird Recital Hall of Occidental College, 1600 Campus Road, L.A. 90024; 7:30pm; donate as you choose.
Sat. Nov. 20 -- Since this year's Blackest of the Black tour ain't stopping in L.A., I gotta plug the regional tour finale, with Danzig of course (read my review of a recent show here), plus Swedish black nastymen Marduk, original Bay Area deathsters Possessed, Portland compact thrashers Toxic Holocaust and the sludgy Withered. At the Grove of Anaheim, 2200 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim 92806; 7pm; $38.50; www.ticketmaster.com.
Sun. Nov. 21 -- Pianist and soprano saxist Joel Forrester & Phillip Johnston of NYC's Microscopic Septet saunter through old-timey hat-waving blues-jazz. Early show! At Café Metropol, 923 E. Third St., downtown 90013; noon; $12 cover, $10 minimum; (213) 613-1537; www.cafemetropol.com.
Read Brick Wahl’s jazz picks in LA Weekly here, Don Heckman’s jazz picks here and MoshKing's metal listings here. Read John Payne's plutonic Bluefat.com here.