Fri. Sept. 21 -- The Eurocentric jazz unit The Kandinsky Effect ain't all that abstract, more of a groove & space-effects kind of thing, but I'm sure Vassily won't buck the tribute. It's saxist Warren Walker, strutting bassist Gael Petrina and drummer Caleb Dolister. At the Blue Whale on the third level 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; parking $5 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Fri. Sept. 21 -- Poetic and subtly tweaked, Garretson & Gorodetsky bring a keyboard, a guitar and resonant wildlife observations to the shaggy heart of hipster Los Angeles. At Stories Bookstore, 1716 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park 90026; 8pm; free.
Sat. Sept. 22 -- Whoa, what a trio: Larry Goldings (one of the last true priests of the Hammond B3 organ), Peter Bernstein (longtime Goldings bandmate and collaborator with the likes of Brad Mehldau and Eric Alexander) and drummer Greg Hutchinson (Roy Hargrove, Joshua Redman). Gonna groove, classic-style. At Vitello's Restaurant, 4349 Tujunga Ave., Studio City 91604; 10 pm; $20 cover plus $13 minimum; (818) 769-0905; www.vitellosrestaurant.com.
Tues. Sept. 25 -- One of the most admired exponents of modern postintellectual New York saxophonics, David Binney, fronts a superquartet featuring pianist John Escreet, bassist Eric Revis and local drum magician Alex Cline, each a leader in his own right. At the Blue Whale on the third level 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; parking $5 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Wed. Sept. 26 -- Primordial German thrashers Kreator combine with balls-to-the-wall-crushing contemporaneous countrymen Accept (together on Nuclear Blast now) and Swallow the Sun for a metallic pincer attack on the Sudetenland. Note: Ends at 10pm, so you'll have to go right after breakfast. At Avalon, 1735 Vine St., Hollywood 90028; doors 5pm; $47; (323) 467-4571; www.avalonhollywood.com; www.ticketmaster.com.
Wed. Sept. 26 -- Classy & brassy vibesman Nick Mancini leads his unit, with a surprise every Wednesday. At the Federal Bar, 5303 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood 91601; 8pm; free; www.thefederalbar.com.
Thurs. Sept. 27 -- Saxist Gavin Templeton, a stalwart of the L.A. avant with the likes of Vinny Golia and Plotz, fronts a quartet featuring pianist Matt Politano, bassist Hamilton Price and drummer Matt Mayhall. At Curve Line Space Gallery, 1577 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041; 8pm; $10 donation includes wine & beer; (323) 478-9874.
Thurs. Sept. 27 -- For grinding, rumbling evil, it's hard to beat original Florida death-metalers Obituary, who've retained three members since 1984. With Broken Hope, Decrepit Birth and 666 more. At the Key Club, 9039 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 5:15pm (but it'll go late); $17; 16+; www.keyclub.com; (310) 274-5800.
Your tires will be eaten by latex maggots unless you make plans to attend this year's Angel City Jazz Festival. Get details and tickets here. The lineup:
Fri. Oct. 5 at LACMA -- Phil Ranelin Sextet plus the winner of the Young Artist Competition.
Sat. Oct. 6 at REDCAT -- Anthony Wilson-Larry Goldings-Jim Keltner Trio, preceded by a symposium on "Honoring and Breaking With Lineage," featuring Bobby Bradford, Ruth Price, Steven Isoardi and Ambrose Akinmusire and moderated by Greg Burk.
Sun. Oct. 7 at the John Anson Ford Amphitheater -- Archie Shepp; Ambrose Akinmusire (pictured); Mark Dresser with Bobby Bradford; Peter Erskine with Vardan Ovsepian.
Fri. Oct. 12 at REDCAT -- Myra Melford & Snowy Egret, Marilyn Crispell.
Sat. Oct. 13 at Royce Hall -- Bill Frisell with a Bill Morrison film.
Sun. Oct. 14 at Royce Hall -- Vijay Iyer with Steve Coleman.
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You know Z'ev, the metallic percussionist and electronic file cruncher who's made such rad noises for John Zorn's Tzadik label etc.? He wants to make another record, and he's raising funds through Kickstarter. Contribute here.