Sat. April 19 -- You gotta grab Chris Speed's new "Really OK," yet another prime setting for the dark-toned saxist's bop-to-Arabic compositions, easy-flowing improvisations and nocturnal moods. I first tuned in to his distinctive vibe on his '90s records with Cuong Vu; subsequent alliances with Tim Berne, Claudia Quartet and others, not to mention his own records, have reinforced the certainty that he's one of the very keenest jazz voices out there. "Really OK" features the bouncing bass of Claudia-mate Chris Tordini and the joyful groove of Bad Plus drummer Dave King, both of whom are onboard tonight. Cocktail hounds and cybergeeks can bond over this one. 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.
Sat. April 19 -- For a quarter of a century, CalArts' Jazz Program has been knocking out a yearly album of its students' work, recorded at Capitol Studios, site of many a classic date. Now comes "CalArts Capitol Sessions: The First 25 Years," a commemoration featuring live music by CalArts alums Ravi Coltrane, Ralph Alessi, Peter Epstein, James Carney & Darek Oles, who played on one another's '90s albums a lot and who all appeared on the first CD. They've established themselves (mostly in New York) as some of their generation's most original and widely praised musicians, so the reunion marks a significant return. Students from the school's current roster open. At CalArts' Wild Beast Pavilion, 24700 McBean Parkway, Valencia 91355; 4pm; FREE; make a reservation here.
Sat. April 19 -- Almost pop if the popular sphere were located in some colorful adjacent galaxy, Acre Foot combines the appealing electronified vocal melodies of Kaoru with the disturbing grooves and jazzy insertions of percussionist Brad Dutz, guitarist Carey Fosse and bassist Darryl Tewes; Andrew Pask is the always involving and creatively knobbed guest saxist. At Art Share, 801 E. Fourth Pl., downtown 90013; 8pm; $10; free parking across the street at 321 S. Hewitt; (213) 687-4278; www.artsharela.org.
Sat. April 19 -- Cosmosquad fuses & never loses with Jeff Kollman's commanding guitar, Shane Gaalaas' hurricane drums and Kevin Chown's flexitudinous bass. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $20; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Wed. April 23 -- Sax outman Skerik shows his sparer, funkier side with the Afrobeat-influenced Bandalabra, featuring guitarist Andy Coe, bassist Evan Flory-Barnes and drummer Dvonne Lewis. 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.
Wed. April 23 -- With performances by Guns N' Roses, Joan Jett, A Day To Remember, Zakk Wylde, The Pretty Reckless and more, it's hard to see how the Revolver Golden Gods Awards could suck much, even if you don't care who gets the statues. At Club Nokia, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown 90015; 7:30pm; $85 and way, way up; tickets here.
Thurs. April 24 -- Intellectual feelgood orgy: piano legend Chick Corea, multi-culti banjo (etc.) player Bela Fleck and twerk goddess Miley Cyrus. Or two of those musicians anyway. A CAP presentation at UCLA's Royce Hall; 8pm; $25-$75; www.cap.ucla.edu.
Thurs. April 24 -- Rad metal abstractionists Dillinger Escape Plan (featuring Ben Weinman, now a Guitar World staple) headline a heavy bill with Trash Talk, Retox, Shining. At the EchoPlex, 1154 Glendale Blvd., Echo Park 90026; 7:30pm; $21; 18+; www.attheecho.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.