Fri. March 23 -- What happened, did German hard-rock guitar template Michael Schenker move to L.A.? Seems like he's been knocking around here a lot lately. Which is a good thing. Tonight is a jam format in honor of Spazmatics bassist Matt Chidgey, who drowned while hiking in 2010. Robin McAuley, singer on a few albums with Schenker a decade back, is featured. At the Canyon Club, 28912 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills 91301; 8pm; give what you want (proceeds go to local charities); (818) 879-5016; www.canyonclub.net.
Fri. March 23 -- Pianist Billy Childs has been milking his several talents in different formats in different clubs during the last few months; this one's likely to be on the more clubby, straight-ahead tip, with saixist Katisse Buckingham, bassist Jerry Watts and drummer Joey Heredia. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $25; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Fri. March 23 -- Of the younger melodic yet adventurous jazz crowd, pianist Richard Sears stands out as a composer. 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.
Fri. March 23 -- Old pals Phast Phreddie and Don Waller spin the R&B rarities to celebrate El Rapido's yearly visit; take the opportunity to pull his goat. In the tiny secret bar of El Chavo Restaurant, 4441 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake 90027; 7pm onward; free.
Fri.-Sun. March 23-25 -- Not only does Rachelle Ferrell have unbelievable soul pipes and range, she's also got that rare commodity, substance. At Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 8:30 & 10:30pm; $25-$40; (323) 466-2210; www.catalinajazzclub.com.
Sat. March 24 -- Although the analog-synth bleeps and scrunches of electronic composer Morton Subotnick's 1967 breakthrough "Silver Apples of the Moon" sound dated, the composition still rings with a sharp sense of dynamics and stereo action. Along with California EAR Unit, Subotnick will be applying modern synths and computers to the structures of "Apples," "A Sky of Cloudless Sulphur" and other works in a kinda improvised format. At REDCAT, 631 W. Second St., downtown 90012; 8:30pm; $20; www.redcat.org.
Sat. March 24 -- Guitarist Michael Landau plays with a lot of shading and depth; listen to the way he uses space and FX. He's celebrating the release of the Michael Landau Group's "Organic Instrumentals" with bassist Travis Carlton and drummer Gene Coye. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $25; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Sat. March 24 -- Saxist Andy MacIntosh returns to L.A. after 30 years to a warm welcome from a mess of masterful bebop cronies Pete Christlieb, Don Menza, Chuck Findley, Theo Saunders, Putter Smith and Roy McCurdy, with singer Cathy Segal-Garcia. At a private spot near downtown L.A.; 8-11pm; $40 includes wine, beer and food; call (818) 368-8839 for reservations.
Sat. March 24 -- USC presents Shelf Life 2, a celebration of small presses. There'll be presentations from Gary Panter, Byron Coley and Chip Kidd, plus workshops from Slake Magazine, Beautiful/Decay, Modern Multiples and Urban Homestead (how to survive the zombie apocalypse, if you really want to). Collectible stuff from vendors, too. Organized by Haven Lin-Kirk and our friend Ewa Wojciak. At USC's Harris Hall; 11am-5pm; free; more info here.
Tues. March 27 -- Keith Jarrett's current ECM disc, "Rio," shows the pianist at his warmest and most engaging in a solo format, which is how he'll be rolling here. At Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown 90012; 8pm; $43-$150 (323) 850-2000; www.laphil.org.
Tues. March 27 -- Dwight Trible is something more than a singer; he's a channeler of ancient African spirits. He'll be leading an ace groove-and-drift quartet. 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.
Wed. March 28 -- Once a month, the superb every-week Dub Club brings in an honest-to-Jah reggae legend, this time singer Ken Parker ("True True"). The event gains stature from Parker's backing band: Fully Fullwood (bass), Tony Chin (guitar) and Santa Davis (drums), who played on a thousand records during the classic roots era; a righteous horn section fills out the sound. Augmenting the club's excellent DJ staff will be world-class selector Downbeat the Ruler. At the EchoPlex, 1154 Glendale Blvd., Echo Park 90026; doors 9pm; $15; www.attheecho.com.
Thurs. March 29 -- LATE ADD: One of my fave local improvising units, Slumgum, hooks up with a master saxist, Bob Sheppard. So what could be not great? Read my December LA Times review here. At Curve Line Space Gallery, 1577 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041; 8:30pm & 9:30pm; no cover; (323) 478-9874.
Thurs. March 29 -- Postjazz singer Jesse Palter has more going than the usual gown and standards. Read my review here. 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.
Read Don Heckman’s jazz picks here and MoshKing's metal listings here. Read John Payne's plutonic Bluefat.com here.