Fri. Sept. 2 -- I dig the concept of this Codes quintet: inwardly stimulative pianist Joshua White, skyward vocalist Dwight Trible, classic drummer Smitty Smith, polished saxist Ralph Moore and bassist Dean Hulett. 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. Sept. 2 -- The relocated and revitalized World Stage shifts into high gear as cornetist Bobby Bradford, a close Ornette colleague and mentor to many L.A. musicians, convenes an awe-inspiring all-star ensemble with Mothers pianist Don Preston, legendary energized bassist Henry Franklin, cool-Trane saxist Chuck Manning, condensified trombonist Michael Vlatkovich and world-unweary drummer Christopher Garcia. The capacity is 100 now, and they're gonna need it. At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9pm (two sets); $20; www.theworldstage.org.
Sat. Sept. 3 -- Miles/McCoy saxist Azar Lawrence keeps up the Leimert momentum with another luminous quartet featuring pianist Theo Saunders, bassist Henry Franklin and drummer Smitty Smith. At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9pm (two sets); $20; www.theworldstage.org.
Sat. Sept. 3 -- Sold out, dammit: Glenn Hughes, key singer & bassist with Deep Purple, Black Country Communion, etc., with special guests Joanne Shaw Taylor, Jared James Nichols. Wish him good health. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; (310) 652-4202; www.whiskyagogo.com.
Sat. Sept. 3 -- Ex-Black Note trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos has appropriately appointed himself to honor Lee Morgan, along with guitarist Graham Dechter, organist Joe Bagg and drummer Ryan Shaw. 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.
Sun. Sept. 4 -- Trumpeter Daniel Rosenboom takes it to the wall with his new abstract textural metallified Burning Ghosts, featuring distorted guitarist Jake Vossler, bassist Richard Giddens and drummer Aaron McLendon, with visual projections by Travis Flournoy. Smoke dust beforehand, and check out Kirk Silsbee's story here. The multisourced singer-saxist duo of Argenta Walther & Alexander Vogel opens. At Center for the Arts, 2225 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041; 7pm; $10; (626) 795-4989.
Sun. Sept. 4 -- Colorado journeymen Cobalt smash, crash & howl (favorite title: "Gin"); rich-textured Hamburg duo Mantar (pictured) motorboat the sludge; Wire Werewolves open. At the Viper Room, 8852 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 8pm; $10; (310) 652-7869; www.viperroom.com.
Thurs. Sept. 8 -- The 5tet of Blue Notional trumpeter Elliott Caine is a righteous choice to inaugurate the Thursday-night jazz series at this classy venue. Blue Guitar Club at Arroyo Seco Golf Course, 1055 Lohman Lane, South Pasadena 91030; 7:30pm (two sets); (323) 769-3500; $10-$15; www.blueguitar.club.
Sept. 30-Oct. 16 -- The most exciting jazztime of the year arrives with Angel City Jazz Festival, featuring Pharoah Sanders, Gurrisonic Orchestra (rocking Ornette Coleman's "Skies of America" and a new commissioned work), Rudresh Mahanthappa, Vinny Golia, Craig Taborn, Thumbscrew and lots more. Cancel plans for your high school reunion and buy tickets here.
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Read Don Heckman’s jazz picks here. Read John Payne's plutonic Bluefat.com here.