Fri. March 3 -- Get here around 8 and you might be able to score a ticket for "Sargasso Sea" guitarist Ralph Towner, who's doing a solo show. 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; $25; 21+; parking $9 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Sat. March 4 -- Cosmosquad fuse it big and wild; hope they play their whole great new "The Morbid Tango," which I review here. Cosmo drummer Shane Gaalaas also has an impressive album from a couple years back; twist his arm until he sells you one. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $25; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Sat. March 4 -- Vibraphonist Nick Mancini expands his storytelling palette with a septet featuring spacious guitarist Larry Koonse, three percussionists and projected visuals. Always tops. 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.
Sat. March 4 -- Extraterrestrial windman Brian Walsh is the attraction at this month's "Soundspark," SASSAS's series of nonconformist music for kids. At the Children's Theater in West Hollywood Library, 625 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; noon; FREE; www.sassas.org.
Sun. March 5 -- Twenty mofokin years Open Gate Concerts have been presenting the best of the outermost musicians in their Sunday Evening Concerts, and hosts Alex Cline and Will Salmon are celebrating with "Improviganza," which stirs up literally dozens of the series' deepest contributors, including Bobby Bradford, Vinny Golia, Emily Hay, G.E. Stinson, Kaoru, Brad Dutz, Christopher Garcia, Steuart Liebig, Phillip Greenlief, Dwight Trible, Bonnie Barnett, Daniel Rosenboom, William Roper and lots more. Show 'em you care. At Center for the Arts, 2225 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041; 7pm; $10; (626) 795-4989.
Sun. March 5 -- Jamire Williams jumps off from his avant drumming album "Effectual" to corral a mess of friends including French keyboardist Chassol, percussionist Carlos Niño and more adventurers. At Del Monte Speakeasy in the basement of the Townhouse, 52 Windward Ave., Venice 90291; 9pm; $15; 21+.
Sun. March 5 -- Australian trio The Necks suspend space & time with their spare meditations. 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; 7pm & 9pm; $20 each set, sold out, but show up early and they reserve a few tix; 21+; parking $9 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Wed. March 8 -- It's a week for anniversaries, as Metal Blade Records logs its 35th with modern thrashers Whitechapel, artistic deathsters Cattle Decapitation (pictured), spastic blastbeaters Goatwhore and sci-fi conceptualists Allegaeon. At the Belasco Theater, 1050 S. Hill St., downtown 90015; 6pm; $23+; www.goldenvoice.com.
Thurs. March 9 -- Aimee Mann bassist Paul Bryan keeps on putting together intriguing improv ensembles, this time with Tortoise FX manipulator Jeff Parker, saxist-pianist Josh Johnson and valued local drummer Matt Mayhall. At ETA Highland Park, 5630 N. Figueroa St., Highland Park 90042; at night; cheap; full bar; (323) 274-4755; www.etahip.com
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Read Don Heckman’s jazz picks here. Read John Payne's plutonic Bluefat.com here. Read Brick Wahl's noirish music commentaries here.