Fri. June 5 -- This version of guitarist Anthony Wilson's unpredictably semitraditional Curators features violinist Petra Haden, keyboardist Patrick Warren, bassist Mike Elizondo and drummer Barbara Gruska. Good way to slurp a cocktail and kick off the weekend. 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.
Fri. June 5 -- Sacramento doomsters Lycus know how to explode so slowly that you can do shots between headbangs. With Dispirit, Volahn. At Complex, 806 E. Colorado St., Glendale 91205; 9pm; $10; 21+; full bar; www.complexla.com; (323) 642-7519.
Sat. June 6 -- Call Crowbar sludge founders if you want, but to me, Kirk Windstein and his New Orleans bearded baldies simply rock, Southern-style. With sympathetic Portland slowgoers Lord Dying, plus Battlecross, Darwin's Theory, Allure Emeris. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; 6pm; $20; www.whiskyagogo.com; (310) 652-4202.
Sat. June 6 -- You know it's gonna groove when well-connected percussionist Munyungo Jackson (Herbie Hancock, Bennie Maupin, Stevie Wonder) slaps the skins with violinist Karen Briggs, keysman Mitch Forman, bassist Jimmy Haslip and drummer Euro Zambrano. 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.
Sat. June 6 -- Guitarist Alex Noice (Daniel Rosenboom, Vinny Golia) shows your kids how to do unusual things with electricity and not get arrested. "Soundspark," a SASSAS presentation at the Children's Theater in West Hollywood Library, 625 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; noon; FREE.
Sun. June 7 -- Considering clarinetist Perry Robinson's avant pedigree, which dates back to '60s adventures with Henry Grimes, Archie Shepp, Annette Peacock et al., his appearance here ranks as an Event; his band includes SoCal notables Nobu Stowe (piano), Peter Kuhn (sax), G.E. Stinson (guitar) and Alex Cline (drums). The super duo Mezcla Music (Jxel Rajchenber and Christopher Garcia on multiple instruments) opens with sounds influenced by indigenous traditions of Central and South America. At Center for the Arts, 2225 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041; 7pm; $10; (626) 795-4989.
Sun. June 7 -- This year's Vibe Summit rounds up busloads of vibraphonists including Bob Leatherbarrow, Maia, Onaje Murray and Lolly Allen. At Remo Recreational Music Center, 7308 Coldwater Canyon Ave., North Hollywood 91605; 2-6pm; $20 (members $15); food but no booze; www.lajazz.org.
Mon. June 8 -- Stranglers singer Hugh Cornwell spits the proto-punk evil; his band includes bassist Steve "Trash" Fishman, whose imminent glamrocky release "Bubbling Up" includes a whole collective of '70s names (including Cornwell) and bashes around with maximum fun quotient, so buy it June 29. With Scary Cherry & the Bang Bangs, Alla Spina, Gutter Candy, Lablion, Spider Heart. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; 7pm; 420; www.whiskyagogo.com; (310) 652-4202.
Mon. June 8 -- Wayback guitarist Kenny Burrell & L.A. Jazz Orchestra Unlimited, a.k.a. most of UCLA's jazz faculty, showcase skills and compositions as they continue to develop right now. At Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 8:30pm; $20; (323) 466-2210; www.catalinajazzclub.com.
Tues. June 9 -- Is it a good idea that melodic-metal stalwarts Whitesnake have just released an album of Deep Purple songs on which snakeman David Coverdale sang back in the '70s? Since they offer a fresh slant on the tunes, in addition to the top musicianship of true rockers like drummer Tommy Aldridge and guitarist Reb Beach, I'd have to say yeah. Diamante opens. At the Saban Theater, 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills 90211; 8pm; $68-$98; www.ticketmaster.com.
Wed. June 10 -- Good news for fans of electronic and experimental muzik: Hans Fjellestad's ResBox series is back! Thollem McDonas' piano pounds/tickles with enough intensity when not circuit-distortified, but when he plugs in with his solo experience Thollem Electric, hold on to your progs. (Listen to his "For B.B. King" etc. here.) With noise assailant Eva Aguila and beatbox tweakers Twin Braids. ResBox at Steve Allen Theater, 4773 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood 90027; 8pm; $10; BYO; free parking lot behind.
Thurs. June 11 -- In addition to drumming with nearly every major jazz figure of the last 50 years, Tootie Heath has cultivated connections with each successive generation. Tonight he celebrates his 80th birthday with cornetist Kirk Knuffke, tenor man Patrick Wolf, bass clarinetist Steven Lugener, pianist Richard Sears and bassist Garret Lang. 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.
Thurs. June 11 -- Sparky, inventive Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodriguez tears it up solo. A presentation of the Jazz Bakery's Movable Feasts at the Kirk Douglas Theater, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City 90232; 8pm; $25 ($20 students); www.jazzbakery.org.
Thurs. June 11 -- Trumpeter Elliott Caine rustles up the soul bop and Latin jazz with his punchy quintet. At the E Spot Lounge (formerly Upstairs at Vitello's), 4349 Tujunga Ave., Studio City 91604; 8pm; $15-$40; (818) 769-0905; www.vitellosjazz.com.
Thurs. June 11 -- For that ineffable taste of proficient, jagged punk-jazz, please consider saxist Vince Meghrouni and Atomic Sherpas (10pm), who're doing every Thursday this month. With BAAST (11pm), urban naturalists Garretson & Gorodetsky (9pm) and WACME (12). At Café NELA, 1906 Cypress Ave., Glassell Park 90065; doors 8:30pm; $5; beer only; 21+; www.cafenela.net.
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Read Don Heckman’s jazz picks here. Read John Payne's plutonic Bluefat.com here.