Fri. Nov. 10 – One of the most forward-looking pianists working, Jason Moran, looks backward to reinterpret Thelonious Monk's jazz-orchestral "At Town Hall," and revisit his 2007 "In My Mind" album, where he did the same. Great old venue for this ambitious project. A CAP UCLA presentation at the Theatre at Ace Hotel, 929 S. Broadway, L.A. 90015; 8pm; $30-$60; tix here.
Fri. Nov. 10 – Munyungo Jackson puts his renowned hand drumming in front of his own superior outfit. At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9pm (two sets); $20; www.theworldstage.org.
Fri. Nov. 10 – Veteran bassist Henry Franklin brings zest to the mainstream and an exceptional band to the patio. At LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., LA 90036; 6-8pm; FREE; Friday summer jazz schedule here.
Fri. Nov. 10 – Kurt Rosenwinkel's fluid, bop-derived guitar fronts his Brazilian-tinged Caipi Quintet with guitarist-keyboardist Pedro Martins, bassist Frederico Heliodoro, drummer Bill Campbell and percussionist Antonio Loureiro. A Jazz Bakery presentation at Moss Theater in the Herb Alpert Educational Village of New Roads School, 3131 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica 90404; 8:30pm; $35 ($25 students); www.jazzbakery.org.
Sat. Nov. 11 – Puerto Rican pianist Eddie Palmieri, emperor of Latin jazz, celebrates his 80th birthday in a big way. A different take on paying tribute to our veterans. At Cal State L.A.’s Luckman Fine Arts Complex, 5151 State University Drive, L.A. 90032; 8:30pm; $30-$50; (323) 343-6600; www.luckmanarts.org.
Sat. Nov. 11 – A rare and notable occasion for world-music fans: double violinist L. Shenkar assembles an eminent ensemble featuring percussionists Christopher Garcia, Randy Gloss, Neel Agrawal and Jim Santi Owen, plus Pedro Eustache on flutes and Vinod Venkataraman on mridangam. A trance you won't want to wake from, and Garcia says they've been rehearsing assiduously. 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.
Sat. Nov. 11 – Jacques Lesure made me pay attention to his boplicious guitar playing with Pharoah Sanders; chances are he'll prickle your chair with his own group. At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9pm (two sets); $20; www.theworldstage.org.
Sat. Nov. 11 – Guitarist Chris Poland and Ohm (Robert Pagliari on bass, Gene McEwen on drums) play fusion so individualistic, you'll know why Poland helped found Megadeth. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $25; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Sun. Nov. 12 – Saxist Azar Lawrence reintroduces the New Age, which in his case means Egyptian-influenced Tranetime soul rather than ethereal boredom. DJ Aquarium Drunard opens. At Zebulon, 2478 Fletcher Drive, Frogtown 90039; doors 8pm; $25; 21+; www.zebulon.la.
Sun. Nov. 12 – Guitarist Larry Koonse, saxist Chuck Manning, bassist Darek Oles and drummer Jason Harnell, a.k.a. L.A. Jazz Quartet, quiet the room, suck you in and string you along until you can't find your car. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $15; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Tues. Nov. 14 – Pakistan's Sachal Jazz Ensemble fight the Taliban by interpreting the music of innovative 1950s American junkies. At the Valley Performing Arts Center, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge 91330; 8pm; $28-$65; www.valleyperformingartscenter.org.
Wed. Nov. 15 – Avant saxist Eric Barber enlists pianist Cathlene Pineda, bassist David Tranchina and drummer Tina Raymond to realize his comprovisational opus "Magneticism." At the Santa Monica Public Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica 90401; 7:30pm; free; smpl.org; (310) 458-8600.
Wed. Nov. 15 – Crowbar pump out the finest in down & dirty New Orleans metal. With Combs, Incite, Aboleth, Karkaza. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 8pm; $20; (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. Read Brick Wahl's noirish music commentaries here.