Fri. Oct. 19 -- I never got much into the circa-1970 Krautrock thing, reasoning that any rock sans blues was hardly rock at all. But my prog-loving friends say I should have made an exception for Faust, and only a boor would dump on pioneering experimenters. This one's a likely sellout. At REDCAT, 631 W. Second St., downtown 90012; 8:30 & 11pm; $30 (students $24); www.redcat.org.
Fri. Oct. 19 -- You're from Concord, California? I lived there too -- watta dump! It's enough to drive one to thrash metal, a form co-created by Death Angel and Bay Area pals such as Metallica and Machine Head in the early '80s. Guitarist Rob Cavestany and voxman Mark Osegueda remain from the classic lineup. With Threat Signal, reliable locals Bonded by Blood and a raft more. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; 6pm; $20; all ages; www.whiskyagogo.com; (310) 652-4202.
Fri. Oct. 19 -- Dig the wide-ranging scope of The Kim Richmond Sextet, where the skillful vet saxist breaks open his whole traditional-to-avant piñata. At LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., LA 90036; 6-8pm; FREE; Friday jazz schedule here.
Fri.-Sat. Oct. 19-20 -- I guess you know which Marsalis brother I think is the best composer: trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis. He's got the Tradition down, and he opens it up with a modern-classical harmonic sense. At Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 8:30 & 10:30pm; $25-$30; (323) 466-2210; www.catalinajazzclub.com.
Sat. Oct. 20 -- Tool drummer Danny Carey's Volto snorts animal tranquilizer and jams for your delight. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $20; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Sun. Oct. 21 -- The L.A. Jazz Society presents its annual awards dinner, with a performance by special honoree Wayne Shorter (Miles Davis, Weather Report, every jazz fan knows him), Danilo Perez and plenty more. At the Universal Hilton Hotel, 555 Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City 91608; 4:30pm; $75-$250; (818) 994-4661; www.lajazz.org.
Sun. Oct. 21 -- Post-bop trumpeter Elliott Caine plays mostly originals with his zesty quintet. At the York Bar and Restaurant, 5018 York Blvd., Highland Park 90042; 7:30-10pm; no cover; (323) 255-9675.
Wed. Oct. 24 -- It's fusion night, with Latin piano master Otmaro Ruiz, Miles drummer Alex Acuña, storied bassist Abraham Laboriel and vocalist Rhiannon. 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; $20; parking $5 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Wed. Oct. 24 -- The biggest hard-rock event of the season (at least until Aerosmith comes in December) brings on Brit helium addicts The Darkness. Read my review of their incredible new album here. At Club Nokia, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown 90015; 7:30pm; $26-$32 plus fees; www.ticketmaster.com.
Wed. Oct. 24 -- The Melvins Lite is a special trio version of the band that many still consider the West Coast's heaviest sludgemaker, featuring Buzz Osborne, Dale Crover and Trevor Dunn. This is the 50th of their 51 shows in 50 days, so you'll get to see what the walking dead really look like, in an appropriate location. At Hollywood Forever Cemetery's Masonic Lodge, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood 90038; 8pm; $25. Aww, it's SOLD OUT.
Wed.-Thurs. Oct. 24-25 -- Cecil Taylor has CANCELED (after adding a second night, yet), and I'm bummed. No reason given. At REDCAT, 631 W. Second St., downtown 90012; 8:30pm; $55 (students $44); www.redcat.org.
Thurs. Oct. 25 -- A touch of fusion, a taste of urban beat music, a nice open feel -- some see pianist Robert Glasper as the commercial future of jazz. With special guests José James, Taylor McFerrin and Austin Perralta. A CAP presentation at UCLA's Royce Hall; 8pm; $15-$35; www.cap.ucla.edu.
Thurs. Oct. 25 -- The modernist-classical Eclipse Quartet bring the brains and the taste; you bring your ears and dig Steve Reich's "Different Trains." At L&M Arts, 660 Venice Blvd., Venice 90291; 7:30pm; FREE with your reservation at (310) 821-6400.
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Read Don Heckman’s jazz picks here and MoshKing's metal listings here. Read John Payne's plutonic Bluefat.com here.