Fri. April 29 -- Last chance to catch Patrick Campbell-Lyons before the singer from the legendary '60s art-rock band Nirvana transcends back to Europe. And what an event! In his engaging Gaelic accent, Patrick will read from his resonantly detailed memoir, "Psychedelic Days," which received some small editorial advice from the crack MetalJazz team of historians and syntacticians. You will have the opportunity to purchase that as well as his delightful new album, "The 13 Dalis," reviewed here. And for the cherry on top, Patrick will perform several songs with a distinguished miniature chamber ensemble including cellist Jessica Catron and harpsichordist Kristian Hoffman, the man known as musical director for Dave Davies, Ann Magnuson and many more, but mainly as a cultic giant of baroque songcraft. Come early. At Stories Bookstore, 1716 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park 90026; 7-9pm; free.
Fri. April 29 -- Anything featuring Black Sabbath/Dio drummer Vinny Appice deserves a listen. The kinda super group Kill Devil Hill also unites singer Jason Bragg from Pissing Razors, guitarist Mark Zavon from 40 Cycle Hum and bassist Rex Brown of Down; the one track I've heard is melodic slog without a hell of a lotta distinction, but the band's still coalescing, so cut 'em some slack. They're headlining a Club Vodka event with 15 (count 'em) other bands, including Dropout Stoner Clan (which used to include current Whitesnake drummer Brian Tichy and former WASP guitarist Chris Holmes, dunno about now) and Swedish Sleazesters Vains of Jenna. At the Key Club, 9039 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 6:30pm; $18; 15+; www.keyclub.com; (310) 274-5800.
Fri. April 29 -- Drummer Gregg Bendian doesn't always have to knock yer sox off the way he's done when re-creating Mahavishnu Orchestra music or slammin' heavy on his own fusionistic compositions or beating up an abstractive storm with Cecil Taylor or Nels Cline. Dude's got his sensitive chamber side, expressed in Trio Pianissimo with superb locals: pianist David Witham and bassist Joel Hamilton. Bendian doesn't get out here so much these days, so go ask him why. At Alva’s Show Room, 1417 W. Eighth St., San Pedro 90732; 8pm; $20; www.alvasshowroom.com; (800) 403-3447, reservations suggested. Bendian also puts on a percussion clinic Monday at CalArts, 1pm.
Sat. April 30 -- Awesome modern quartet: Edgy saxist Dave Binney, pianist John Escreet, bassist Tim Lefebvre (from groove monsters Rudder) and drummer Louis Cole. 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 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Sun. May 1 -- Tonight's Tribute to Billy Higgins, benefiting KPFK, is quite an unusual event: The all-time jazz drummer, who died 10 years ago, receives musical vibrations from, among others, Charles Lloyd, Stanley Clarke, George Duke, Charlie Haden, Poncho Sanchez, Dwight Trible, John Densmore and Phil Ranelin. Billy's smile will be the guest of honor. At Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; $125 covers the whole event including the 5:30pm VIP reception deejayed by Carlos Niño; $75 covers the main presentation; there's an additional two-drink minimum; (323) 466-2210; www.catalinajazzclub.com.
Sun. May 1 -- Violinist Michael White established his own climate of peace and African spiritual exploration during those revolutionary days of the early '70s; his recent resurgence is a most welcome development. His ensemble includes vocalist Leisei Chen, guitarist Timothy Young, bassist Jon Ossman and percussionist Danny Frankel. Opening is Missincinnati, the eerily ingenuous dark folk vocal trio of cellist Jessica Catron, guitarist Jeremy Drake and drummer Carey Fogel. At Center for the Arts, 2225 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041; 7pm; $10; (626) 795-4989.
Mon. May 2 -- Our old pard Sid Griffin, from way back in the '80s Longryders days, has been living and playing in London for a long time. But he's back this week with his longstanding roots unit, The Coal Porters, and he'll be all around town (see below), so slap his hide. Those desiring to be informed of the not-very-secret location of the Venice party held for him on Saturday April 30 can hit me up. At Cinema Bar, 3967 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City 90036; around 9 or 10pm I'm guessing; free; (310) 390-1328; thecinemabar.com.
Tues. May 3 -- Sid Griffin & the Coal Porters. At the Coffee Gallery, 2029 Lake Ave., Altadena 91001; dunno what time, and it ain't on the web site (www.coffeegallery.com), so you better confirm at (626) 398-7917.
Wed. May 4 -- Sid Griffin & the Coal Porters. In the bar of Taix Restaurant, 1911 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake 90026; 10:30pm; free; www.taixfrench.com.
Wed. May 4 -- The Daniel Rosenboom Septet plots out a striking array of colors with a vivid aura of modern intelligence. Read my live review here. Good fusionistic eats dinable beforehand. At Royal-T, 8910 Washington Blvd., Culver City 90232; 8pm; $10; $5 students; (310) 559-6300; www.royal-t.org.
Thurs. May 5 -- Quiet beauty and electronic fizz mark the trio of trombonist Michael Dessen with bassist Christopher Tordini and drummer Dan Weiss. At Royal-T, 8910 Washington Blvd., Culver City 90232; 8pm; $10; $5 students; (310) 559-6300; www.royal-t.org.
Read Brick Wahl’s jazz picks in LA Weekly usually here but not this week cuz he's resting, Don Heckman’s jazz picks here and MoshKing's metal listings here. Read John Payne's plutonic Bluefat.com here.