Fri. July 14 – Referencing the legacy of the Last Poets and Gil Scott-Heron, Grammy hoarder Billy Childs presents Prophecy, wherein the keyboardist joins bassist Ben Shepherd and drummer Donald Barrett behind the rousing poetry of Paul Calderon. At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9pm (two sets); $20; www.theworldstage.org.
Sun. July 16 – Elliott Caine brings a trumpet and his full-bodied jazz ensemble; you bring your ears and your thirst. At the York Bar and Restaurant, 5018 York Blvd., Highland Park 90042; 7:30-10pm; no cover; (323) 255-9675.
Wed. July 19 – Saxist Sean Sonderegger rustles up Magically Inclined, a topnotch group of worldly improvisers featuriing guitarist Alex Noice, bassist Jeff Schwartz, drummer Peter Valsamis and vocal angel Areni Agbabian. At the Santa Monica Public Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica 90401; 7:30pm; free; smpl.org; (310) 458-8600.
Wed. July 19 – Ella Fitzgerald & Dizzy Gillespie get the livin' heck tributed out of them by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra (with singers such as Patrice Rushen, Regina Carter and Jane Monheit handling Ella's vocal parts) and an all-star big band (with pianist Billy Childs, saxist Charles McPherson, bassist Peter Washington, drummer Lewis Nash, and Jon Faddis blowing Diz's virtuosic trumpet lines). At the Hollywood Bowl, 2301 Highland Ave., Hollywood 90068; 8pm; mostly $22-$50 tix available; (323) 850-2000; www.hollywoodbowl.com.
Thurs. July 20 – Penetrating saxist David Binney establishes his polished intensity in the first night of a residency. 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.
Thurs. July 20 – L.A. Accidental Poetry Week concludes with an open reading featuring Dale Heard and, yes, L.A. River word dancer Lewis MacAdams, who's been hiding under the bulrushes for a while, so welcome him. At The Battery Books & Music, 26 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena 91101; 8pm; $5 suggested donation; (626) 376-9913.
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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.