Fri. Aug. 31 -- Young, gifted and charged with a mission to bring Afro-groove back to the cultural fore with an exciting sense of layered harmony, South L.A.'s Aaron Shaw & Black Nile are ready for the next step. Check their music here. At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9pm (two sets); $20; www.theworldstage.org.
Fri.-Sat. Aug. 31-Sept. 1 -- Chamber, blues, "Bitches Brew": Woodwind artist Bennie Maupin brings a lot to the table, and it's all the finest. 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.
Fri.-Sun. Aug. 31-Sept. 2 -- John Daversa's Contemporary Big Band boasts the trumpeter's coolmodern compositions and a stageful of coloration. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $28; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Sun. Sept. 2 -- Singer, composer, flutist, etc. Will Salmon puts together an Open Gate Ensemble multimedia presentation based on "Orestia," featuring modern piano star Vicki Ray, wind genius Vinny Golia, bassist Miller Wrenn, vocalist-dancer Roksana Zeinour and visualist Jim Mora. Opening with a highly complementary layer cake of sound is the Michael Vlatkovich Wind 5tet, wherein the trombonist entrusts his challenging compositions to trumpeter Greg Zilboorg, trumpeter Louis Lopez, tenor saxist Bill Plake and baritone saxist Andrew Pask. At Center for the Arts, 2225 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041; 7pm; $10; (626) 795-4989.
Sun. Sept. 2 -- Make way for the rappin' masked Cleveland industrial crunch of Mushroomhead, on Summer Screams Tour with The Browning, Kissing Candice, Unsaid Fate, Earth Caller, Dirty Machine. At 1720, 1720 E. 16th St., downtown 90021; doors 5pm; $25; all ages; full bar; food; www.1720.la.
CANCELED. Tues. Sept. 4 -- Afrobeat lives and sweats with Fela's youngest son Seun Kuti & Egypt 80. At Zebulon, 2478 Fletcher Drive, Frogtown 90039; doors 7:30pm; $25; 21+; www.zebulon.la.
Wed.-Thurs. Sept. 5-6 -- AACM co-founder Roscoe Mitchell brings his sax, his outworld attitude and vocalist-electronic manipulator Christina Wheeler. Probably a great extreme band, too. At Zebulon, 2478 Fletcher Drive, Frogtown 90039; doors 8pm; $20; 21+; www.zebulon.la.
Thurs. Sept. 6 -- Superb trombonist-composer Joey Sellers forms a considered trio with practiced bassist Trey Henry and drummer Kendall Kay. At Sunspace, 9683 Sunland Blvd., Shadow Hills 91040; 8-10pm; $10.