Fri. Aug. 29 -- Beat Music: The Los Angeles Improvisations is a record and project of drummer Mark Guiliana; this electronified freakster thing wears a modern urban hat rather than a poetry beret and includes skilled fusionists Tim Lefebvre (bass), Jeff Babko (keys) and Troy Zeigler (electronics). 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; 21+; parking $5 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Fri. Aug. 29 -- "Straight-ahead" jazz, perhaps deservedly obsolescent because it had gotten so damn boring, lives and breathes when ridden out by pro believers like saxist Bob Sheppard (with pianist Otmaro Ruiz, bassist Chris Colangelo and drummer Dan Schnelle). At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $25; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Fri.-Sat. Aug. 29-30 -- Half the time, trumpeter Elliott Caine falls into that straight-ahead bag too, keeping it fresh by playing a lot of originals, here with a quartet. Steak, potatoes, equally substantial music. At Colombo's Restaurant, 1833 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041; 9:30pm-midnight; no cover; (323) 254-9138.
Sat. Aug. 30 -- Hardworking saxist (and Harlem club owner) Bill Saxton teams with the tenor muscle of Azar Lawrence and the big thrump of skins notable Alphonse Mouzon. At Roscoe's Seabird Jazz Lounge, adjacent to Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles, 730 E. Broadway, Long Beach 90802; $15; 9pm-1am; (562-787-0899); www.seabirdjazzloungelbc.com.
Sat. Aug. 30 -- The slamminest groover on the planet, Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, jams hard with guitarist Jeff Kollman, keyboardist Ed Roth and bassist Kevin Chown, a.k.a. Bombastic Meatbats. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $30; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
[[POSTPONED]] Sun. Aug. 31 -- Alex Noice has a good name for the way he plays guitar, but also pay attention to the intense cutting of his leads as he nods like a surly teen. You get a sextet including Alexander plus Karina Kallas & Argenta Walther (vocals), Gavin Templeton (winds), Richar Lloyd Giddens Jr. (bass), Andrew Lessman (drums). 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; 21+; parking $5 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Sept. Sept. 3 -- Whatever you wanna say about the misogynistic, ultraviolent lyrics of ex-Misfits guitarist-sanger Doyle, you can't deny that his current "Abominator" rocks. With Ashylus, No One's Mercy, Scurvy Kids, Nightmare Syndrome, Dead Girld Corp, Swine Pop. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 6pm; $20; www.whiskyagogo.com; (310) 652-4202.
Thurs. Sept. 4 -- Drummer Scott Amendola has got the big whomp and the electro-echo-loopifery, making him a most sympathetic ally to Tortoise guitarist Jeff Parker and multifaceted bassist John Shifflett. 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; 21+; parking $5 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
NOW'S THE TIME to nail down your plans for the Angel City Jazz Fest, September 19-28, this year featuring Anthony Braxton, Toshiko Akiyoshi, a tribute to Arthur Blythe and many more thrillifications. Check the schedule here.
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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.