Fri. May 4 -- Avant improv from North America and Europe courtesy of the Unwrinkled Ear series: Eggwa (bassist Mike Watt, bassist Josh Haden, notable drummer Danny Frankel), plus the premiere of the international bass-bass-sax collaboration of Joe Williamson, Tomo Jacobson & Wilson Shook. At PS Kaufman Shoes, 113 E. Eighth St., downtown 90014; doors 8:30pm; $10.
Fri. May 4 -- Bobby Bradford, Texas king of the L.A. avant cornet, puts together a spectacular mix of out & in with bassist Henry Franklin, pianist Theo Saunders, saxist Chuck Manning, trombonist Michael Vlatkoovich and drummer Yayo Morales. At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9pm (two sets); $20; www.theworldstage.org.
Sat. May 5 -- Singer Ernie Andrews embodies the wayback Central Avenue tradition with a seasoned band: saxist Rickey Woodard, pianist Tateng Katindig, bassist Richard Simon and drummer Roy McCurdy. At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9pm (two sets); $25; www.theworldstage.org.
Sat. May 5 -- San Diego deathcore butchers Carnifex head a finely selected touring bill with Oceano, Winds of Plague, Archspire, Spite, Buried Above Ground, Widowmaker. At the Regent Theater, 448 S. Main St., downtown 90013; 4:30pm; $30; 18+; www.ticketfly.com.
Sat. May 5 -- Drummer Nick Hon is the latest to introduce your kids to the perils of nonstandard musical imagination. "Soundspark," a SASSAS presentation at the Children's Theater in West Hollywood Library, 625 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; noon; FREE; www.sassas.org.
Sun. May 6 -- Pray with singer Dwight Trible, whose halleluia makes God pay attention, aided by a flexible soul-deep ensemble featuring bassist John B. Williams, percussionist-flutist Derf Reklaw, windman Pablo Calogero, drummer Breeze Smith and harpist-singer Maia. At Holy Nativity Church, 6700 83rd St., Westchester 90045; 6pm; $15.
Sun. May 6 -- The May edition of Sunday Night Concerts features some of L.A.'s most practiced avantists, opening with the soprano sax & drums duo of Alexander Vogel & Jonathan Saxon, and proceeding to the quartet of Jeff Schwartz (bass), Ellen Burr (flute), Anne LeBaron (harp) and Charles Sharp (woodwinds). At Center for the Arts, 2225 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041; 7pm; $10; (626) 795-4989.
Sun. May 6 -- Mount yer hawg for the Dio Cancer Fund's annual Ride for Ronnie, starting with 9am registration at Harley Davidson of Glendale, continuing with the 11am mass ride to Los Encinos State Historic Park, and concluding with a noon-to-5pm concert there (most of us will skip the motorcycle part, thanks). The show is headlined by Steven Adler's All Star Band (with members from Black Star Riders, WASP, Lizzy Borden and lots more), plus Dio Disciples, Beasto Blanco, Classless Act, One More From the Road, Railgun. $15-$35, details here.
Wed. May 9 -- When you need the most warped, slippery and technically wizardrous Florida death metal, no one but Trey Azagthoth's Morbid Angel will suffice. With Origin, the entertaining femme-fronted Dreaming Dead, Hate Storm Annihilation. At the Regent Theater, 448 S. Main St., downtown 90013; 7:30pm; $32; 18+; www.ticketfly.com.
Thurs. May 10 -- Dokken axman George Lynch and Lynch Mob shred the virtuosic hard rock. With Permacrush, Road Vikings. At the Canyon Club, 28912 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills 91301; $24-$34; arrive by 7pm, Lynch 9pm; (818) 879-5016; www.canyonclub.net.
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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.