* indicates events in Angel City Jazz Fest.
* Fri. Oct. 7 -- David Binney brings his hardwood saxophonics and modern compositional flair to an electronified trio with drummers Stefano Tamborino and Luis Cole. You also get the highly complementary trio of post-post-bop saxist Steve Lehman (a touch o' Dolphy) with bassist Matt Brewer and drummer Damion Reid. The Edye at the Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica 90401; 8pm; $35; www.angelcityjazz.com.
Fri. Oct. 7 -- Back & blazing after a serious bout with colon cancer: guitar fusion king Tony MacAlpine, backed by bassist Bjorn Englen and drummer Aquiles Priester. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $30 (first show sold out); (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Fri.-Sun. Oct. 7-9 -- Bassist Marcus Miller helped Miles turn the corner into glossier fusion at the turn of the '80s; here he leads his own star people. At Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90028; 8:30 & 10:30pm (Sun. 7:30 & 9:30); $40-$55; (323) 466-2210; www.catalinajazzclub.com.
* Sat. Oct. 8 -- Craig Taborn voyages into the most rarefied regions of the piano in duo with co-pianist Kris Davis; Julian Lage orchestrates solo acoustic guitar without leaving the rhythm behind. At the Colburn School's Zipper Hall, 200 S. Grand Ave., downtown 90012; 8pm; $15-$25; www.angelcityjazz.com.
* Sun. Oct. 9 -- Swiss trombonist Samuel Blaser tumbles avantitude that won't make your head hurt in duo with drummer Gerry Hemingway. And: Consult guitarist David Gilmore (not the Floyd guy) for funky electric solo trips drawing on African roots. 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-$20; 21+; parking $9 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Sun. Oct. 9 -- Dunno whose idea this "Havana-L.A. Jazz Flute Summit" was, but since it includes Orlando "Maraca" Valle (Cuba), Justo Almario (Colombia) and Art Webb (USA), it sounds like a good 'un. A presentation of the Jazz Bakery's Movable Feasts at La Plaza de Cultura y Artes, 501 N. Main St., downtown 90012; 7pm; $25-$35; www.jazzbakery.org.
Sun. Oct. 9 -- Time to jam electronicwise with whatever abstractionists show up for "Soundshoppe." A SASSAS presentation at Center for the Arts, 2225 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041; noon; FREE; (626) 795-4989.
Mon. Oct. 10 -- Damn, the heavy sludgefest with Eyehategod, Discharge, Toxic Holocaust and Nomads is sold out. At the Roxy, 9009 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; doors 7pm; $25-$30; (310) 278-9457; www.theroxy.com.
Tues. Oct. 11 -- Skeletonwitch has the best riffs and the tightest, shortest songs in modern metal. With strong comers Iron Reagan, plus Oathbreaker, Necrot, Gatecreeper. At the Roxy, 9009 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; doors 7pm; $18; all ages; (310) 278-9457; www.theroxy.com.
Tues. Oct. 11 -- Billy Childs and Prophecy features the imaginative pianist plus poet Paul Calderon, windman Katisse Buckingham, bassist Ben Shepherd and drummer Louis Cole. 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 $9 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Thurs. Oct. 13 -- Funky spacemen Chris Poland (guitar) and Robert Pagliari (bass) try out new drummer Carlos Cruz in Ohm. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $20; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Thurs. Oct. 13 -- Fascinating notion: "Exploring Negro Spirituals" via Hall of Fame bassist John Clayton, wayback Central Avenue singer Ernie Andrews, ace L.A. pianist Eric Reed and drummer Rob Perkin. A Jazz Bakery presentation at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, 4718 Washington Blvd., LA 90016; 8:30pm; $35, day of show $40, students $20; www.jazzbakery.org.
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Through Oct. 16 -- Angel City Jazz Festival concludes next weekend with Steuart Liebig & extreme bassists (Fri. Oct. 14), Rudresh Mahanthappa + Joshua White (Sat. Oct. 15) and Thumbscrew + Joel Harrison (Sun. Oct. 16), all recommended. Wake up and buy tickets here.
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Read Don Heckman’s jazz picks here. Read John Payne's plutonic Bluefat.com here.