Fri. June 29 -- Roots twine into an inviting realjazz trio: bassist Michael Alvidrez (Atomic Sherpas), pianist Bobby West (Dwight Trible) and drummer Fritz Wise (Horace Tapscott). At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9pm (two sets); $20; www.theworldstage.org.
Fri. June 29 -- Acclaimed keyboardist Billy Childs fuses this, that and the other nonstandard thing with Prophecy, featuring poet Paul Calderon, bassist Ben Shepherd and drummer Donald Barrett. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $25; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Fri. June 29 -- There's still room for twin guitars, melodic vocals and hard rock if you ask Denver's Khemmis. (Check on this, cuz it's listed on the band's site but not the club's.) At the EchoPlex, 1154 Glendale Blvd., Echo Park 90026; doors 8pm; $15; 21+; www.attheecho.com.
Sat. June 30 -- Ray Charles saxist Rickey Woodard leads an ensemble drawn from L.A.'s best. At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9pm (two sets); $20; www.theworldstage.org.
Sat. June 30 -- Southbound travelers can see the world through the ears of spiritually attuned drummer Christopher Garcia (today on drums of India) and George Abe (Japanese breath and percussion) in the traditional and original music of Tales From the Silk Road. Don't miss it if you're in the area. At Katy Geissert Civic Center, 3301 Torrance Blvd., Torrance 90503; 2pm; FREE.
Sun. July 1 -- A flutist, singer, composer and whatever ya need, Will Salmon pays tribute to a Noh play with the extremely able assistance of dancer Roxanne Steinberg, vocalist Charles Lane, violinist Jeff Gauthier, cellist Maggie Parkins, drummer Alex Cline and image generator Kio Griffith. Opening is the mind-melded (but you can't practice this stuff) improvisational electrobass-percussion duo of Steuart Liebig & Alex Cline. At Center for the Arts, 2225 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041; 7pm; $10; (626) 795-4989.
Sun. July 1 -- Alpha Blondy done canceled, but Beres Hammond (lovers rock), Cocoa Tea (dancehall) and Protoje (roots) remain to maintain the plantain smokability of the Bowl's yearly Reggae Night. At the Hollywood Bowl, 2301 Highland Ave., Hollywood 90068; 7pm; $31-$145; (323) 850-2000; www.hollywoodbowl.com.
Sun. July 1 -- Return to those glory days of the '80s, when Lopez Beatles (Bruce D. Rhodewalt, Robert Lloyd, Doug Freeman) imagined pop rock as something casual, funny & fun. We didn't drink many mimosas or eat too much brunch back then, but you can here. At the Federal Bar, 5303 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood 91601; 11am-2pm; FREE; www.thefederalbar.com.
Tues. July 3 -- V's and U's often look the same in Latin, but I still don't see why Encyclopaedia Metallum says the name of Portland black-metal bashers Uada means "haunted," when in fact hain't no such word with a U, and with a V it means "shallows" (as in places where you wade/uade/vade), and their music is actually pretty deep. I could also argue that the metal website should be called Encyclopaedia Metalli, but that would make this blurb way too long, wouldn't it? With Wolvhammer, Black Moriah, Anshelm, Chaak. At the Echo, 1822 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park 90023; 7pm; $15; 18+; (213) 413-8200; www.attheecho.com.
Thurs. July 5 -- Brad Dutz's new series sure is colorful, and the variegated new-musical adventure of The Present Quartet (flutist Ellen Burr, windman Charles Sharp, bassist Jeff Schwartz, harpist Ann LeBaron) is no exception. At Sunspace, 9683 Sunland Blvd., Shadow Hills 91040; 8-10pm; $10.
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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.