Fri. Jan. 13 -- Terrific bill of veteran L.A. instrumental combos: lap-steel distortionist Paul Lacques and Double Naught Spy Car (raising bux for their star-studded next album here), surf extremists Lawndale and in-your-face bluejazzers Atomic Sherpas. At Maui Sugar Mill Saloon, 18389 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana 91356; 9pm; no cover; www.mauisurarmillsaloon.com.
Sat. Jan. 14 -- Sleek guitarist Jeff Kollman whips the steering wheel through precipitous passes, supercharged drummer Shane Gaalaas blows out the carbon, longtime ally Kevin Chown throttles the bass, together assuring that heavy fusionists Cosmosquad celebrate their new "The Morbid Tango" with appropriate brio. Seriously, this will crank. (Helluva week at the Tater.) At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:45 & 11:30pm; $25; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Sat. Jan. 14 -- Tortoise guitarist Jeff Parker revolves his electronified color projector with an exceptional ensemble featuring melancholy saxist Chris Speed plus bassist Paul Bryan and drummer Jamire Williams. 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 $9 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Sun. Jan. 15 -- I got to witness the magical pairing of cornetist Bobby Bradford and saxist Hafez Modirzadeh a few years ago, as you can read here. This time they've recruited drummer Vijay Anderson and no less a bassist than Tapscott right hand Roberto Miranda. 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.
Sun. Jan. 15 -- John Daversa's Contemporary Big Band highlights the trumpeter's grooving nonstandard adventures via the talents of luminaries such as drummer Gene Coye and saxist Damon Zick. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $25; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Sun. Jan. 15 -- Trumpeter Elliott Caine and his combo give the jazz & Latin to ya straight, but a chaser is fine too. At the York Bar and Restaurant, 5018 York Blvd., Highland Park 90042; 7:30-10pm; no cover; (323) 255-9675.
Tues. Jan. 17 -- Virgil Donati can execute drum complexities nobody else can even imagine. With bassist Brguinha, guitarist Andre Nieri and keyboardist Isamu McGregor. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $25; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Wed. Jan. 18 -- Wait, didn't this happen before, or was it only in my dreams? Two ex-Megadeth guitarists at different L.A. clubs on the same night. Here: Chris Poland (first two Mega-discs and 2004's "The System Has Failed") in skewed fusioneers Ohm, along with bassist Robert Pagliari and drummer Carlos Cruz. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $20; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Wed. Jan. 18 -- Here: Marty Friedman (Dethster throughout the '90s). With Points North, The Element. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; 8:40pm; $20; (310) 652-4202; www.whiskyagogo.com.
Wed. Jan. 18 -- Emily Hay & Steuart Liebig spin off brilliant electronified improvisations, she on flute, voice, etc., he on bass-plus. At the Santa Monica Public Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica 90401; 7:30pm; free; smpl.org; (310) 458-8600.
Thurs. Jan. 19 -- Q: To shred or not to shred? A: To shred. Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big, Racer X). With State Line Empire, Dharma Kings, Terry Lauderdale. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 8pm; $30; (310) 652-4202; www.whiskyagogo.com.
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Read Don Heckman’s jazz picks here. Read John Payne's plutonic Bluefat.com here.