Fri. Sept. 13 -- Founders of the Brit metal foundry Iron Maiden re-create their 1988 "Seventh Son" stage set. Dave Mustaine's always irascible Megadeth are riding their most diverse and songwriterly album in ages, "Super Collider." American thrash daddies Anthrax, Testament and Overkill remain vital with recent recordings (I especially dig Testament's "Dark Roots of Earth"). Sweden's Sabaton get you chanting & swilling pagan-style. Warbringer blasts the youthful energy of metal's future. All great, but there are other reasons this is being called "The Battle of San Bernardino." The first is Friday the 13th traffic, projected as hellish, so you're advised to carpool and arrive REALLY early, with parking lots opening at 10am -- yet you're advised that there is no tailgating, so you'll have a few hours to read your Bible in line. While Bibles are not specifically prohibited, other dangerous items such as lawn chairs, blankets, lighters, backpacks, camel packs and stickers (!) are verboten along with the usual bayonets, AK-47s and studded belts (watch it, Loana). There has been progress, however: Now you're allowed to bring in sealed water bottles up to 20 ounces, and there'll be places to refill them. You can also tote food (in clear plastic bags), matches and sunscreen lotion (but not spray, I guess so you can't throw the can). Message: Metal fans are still the enemy, but the venue is no longer actively trying to kill them through dehydration, starvation and skin cancer. Before 3pm, you can also get hot dogs and small drinks for $3, which here passes for cheap. At San Manuel Amphitheater, 2575 Glen Helen Parkway, San Bernardino 92407; gates 1pm, first music 2pm; mostly $40 distant lawn tix are available, but a few resales from $157-$251 remain; (909) 880-6500; www.livenation.com.
Fri. Sept. 13 -- The Michael Session Sextet pays tribute to the passionate saxist's old Arkestra leader, Horace Tapscott, as well as to local piano giant Nate Morgan. At LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., LA 90036; 6-8pm; FREE; Friday summer jazz schedule here.
Fri.-Sat. Sept. 13-14 -- I keep plugging Brian Auger's Oblivion Express, not just out of respect for the keyboardist's illustrious place in the history of British rock, but cuz he's a rollin' good time. With original Express vocalist Alex Ligertwood (who's also sung with Santana and Jeff Beck), drummer Karma Auger, guitarist Yarone Levy and bassist Les King. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $25; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Sat. Sept. 14 -- Trumpeter Daniel Rosenboom's quintet really know their way around the leader's trippy yet cohesive post-Miles aesthetic. You got Gavin Templeton on sax, Alex Noice on guitar, Kai Kurosawa on piano and Dan Schnelle on drums, plus Kio Griffith messing with live video projections. Grab Rosenboom's wild new "Book of Omens"; you won't be sorry. 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.
Sat. Sept. 14 -- Local extreme metalmen Repulsion, Sadistic Intent and many more pay tribute to late grindcore forefather Jesse Pintado of Napalm Death. It will be radical. At Vex Art & Culltural Center, 5240 Alhambra Ave., East L.A. 90032; doors 2pm; $25; gotta buy tix at a local store, a list of which you can find here.
Sun. Sept. 15 -- Don't ask me what grindcore metal has to do with Kenny Werner, I just like the classic intelligence of his piano playing. Nice way to highlight a Sunday afternoon, in striking Frank Lloyd Wright surroundings. With singer Janis Mann, bassist Hamilton Price and drummer Roy McCurdy. A presentation of the Jazz Bakery's Movable Feasts in the theater at Barnsdall Art Park, 4800 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood 90027; 3pm; $30; www.jazzbakery.org.
Thurs. Sept. 19 -- The Jeff Kollman Band is one of L.A.'s most flavorful and rockin' guitarists plus bassist Pete Griffin, drummer Glen Sobel and guitarist Jeff Marshall (come on, that looks like an alias, why not Jeff Vox or Jeff Ampeg?). At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $20; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
The most exciting L.A. jazz time of the year is nearing with Angel City Jazz Festival. Visit here for tickets and more info on:
Fri. Oct. 4 -- Nicole Mitchell Sun Dial Ensemble, plus winners of the Angel City Jazz Young Artist Competition, at LACMA.
Sat. Oct. 5 -- Dave Holland Prism, at UCLA's Royce Hall.
Sun. Oct. 6 -- Greg Osby/Anat Cohen, Yosvany Terry, Kneebody, Richard Sears, plus screenings of Icons Among Us documentaries, at John Anson Ford Amphitheater.
Fri. Oct. 11 -- Claudia Quintet, Jim Black-Tim Lefebvre-Chris Speed Trio, plus jazz symposium, at REDCAT.
Sat. Oct. 12 -- TBA, at Zipper Hall.
Sun. Oct. 13 -- Dafnis Prieto, at REDCAT.
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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.