Fri. Feb. 21 -- Ain't much of a drive to Long Beach, considering the spiritual rewards of grokking the all-star quintet of big-toned saxist Azar Lawrence, featuring singer Dwight Trible, skins wildman Alphonse Mouzon, pianist Theo Saunders and bassist Jeff Littleton. Like, yeah. For a FREE dose of Azar, by the way, download drummer Franklin Kiermyer's new "Further" here and soak up soaring beauty and soul spoken in the timeless language of 1960s John Coltrane; it's the godstruth real thing, "Transition" meets "Expression" at "Impressions." At Roscoe's Seabird Jazz Lounge, 730 E. Broadway Ave., Long Beach 90802; 9pm-12:30am; $10; free parking at the adjacent Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles; www.seabirdjazzlounge.com; (562) 243-3335.
Fri. Feb. 21 -- Miguel Atwood-Ferguson displays his original modern songcraft and supple viola work in front of one of his choice postjazz ensembles. 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; $15; parking $5 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Fri. Feb. 21 -- Country urbanites I See Hawks in L.A. go acoustic with their rustic poetry and social commentary; Dwight Yoakam guitarist Brian Whelan opens. At Cinema Bar, 3967 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City 90036; 9:30pm; no cover; (310) 390-1328; thecinemabar.com.
Fri.-Sat. Feb. 21-22 -- When it comes to vintage organistics, '60s Brit vet Brian Auger gots the guts. With singer Alex Ligertwood, 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. Feb. 22 -- Dunno why they call it The Spring Quartet, since we've still got a month of winter, but I do know that when you get master drummer Jack DeJohnette, husky tenor man Joe Lovano (pictured), flexlovely bassist Esperanza Spalding and Argentine pianist Leo Genovese together, the ideas are gonna be flying around like a swarm of May bees. A CAP presentation at UCLA's Royce Hall; 8pm; $30-$60; www.cap.ucla.edu.
Sat. Feb. 22 -- Quite dark but not too tranquil, Dark Tranquillity have been blasting their brand of melodically conscious yet vocally raspy Swedish metal for a quarter-century of consistent success; their current "Construct" might be their hookiest. With Omnium Gatherum. At House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; 8pm; $25; (323) 848-5100; www.livenation.com.
Sat. Feb. 22 -- Shreddin' guitarist Elizabeth Schall's Dreaming Dead top a packed local bill with Rise of Aberration, The Opaque, Beneath Flesh, Godlike in Ruin. At Loaded Bar, 6377 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 8pm; $7; 21+; (323) 464-5623; www.loadedhollywood.com.
Sat. Feb. 22 -- Elliott Caine plays trumpet, swings and jams, not neglecting the '50 soul-jazz thing. At Colombo's Restaurant, 1833 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041; 9:30pm-midnight; no cover; (323) 254-9138.
Sun. Feb. 23 -- Creative Underground presents Dorian Wood reading his colorful writestuff, accompanied by the accomplished imaginings of The Daniel Rosenboom Septet. 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; $15; parking $5 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
LATE ADD: Sun. Feb. 23 -- Hey, souljazz singer Dwight Trible is doing a project where he collects and records the songs that people say have helped them heal. And tonight he previews the set list, backed by familiar soldiers Theo Saunders (piano), Trevor Ware (bass) and Paul Legaspi (drums). A church seems like a good place for that. Jazz Sanctuary at Holy Nativity Episcopal Church, 6700 W. 83rd St., Watts 90045; 6pm; $15; reception follows.
Tues. Feb. 25 -- Ohm spews the distinctively slippery heavy fusion of guitarist Chris Poland, bassist Robert Pagliari and drummer David Eagle. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $20; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Wed. Feb. 26 -- Dub Club continues to import the most authentic Jamaican reggae, this time Wailing Souls (with roots back to the '60s), plus blind dancehall king Frankie Paul (pictured) and '60s rocksteady champs The Melodians, all backed by Yellow Wall Dub Squad. The nonpareil Echodelic DJs man the 'tables, of course. At the EchoPlex, 1154 Glendale Blvd., Echo Park 90026; doors 9pm; $15; 21+; www.attheecho.com.
Thurs.-Fri. Feb. 27-28 -- When you hear "Alan Ferber Expanded Ensemble," you think of the trombonist and some of the best musicians around, cuz they like to play that intelligent California drift. 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.
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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.