Fri. Sept. 21 -- Vocalist (and that doesn't begin to say it) Dwight Trible invokes Coltrane, Africa and the Holy Spirit with his lowgroovin quartet. At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9pm (two sets); $20; www.theworldstage.org.
Fri. Sept. 21 -- David Binney plays alto kinda like Coltrane played tenor, with that vibratoless confidence and the sense of a deep soul behind the polished imagination. He continues his residency with starcool trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, pianist Luca Mendoza, bassist Karl McComas Reichl, drummer Justin Brown and drummer Obed Calvaire. 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. Sept. 21 -- Improvising vocal sextet Fish to Birds get way past the bop. At Sunspace, 9683 Sunland Blvd., Shadow Hills 91040; 8-10pm; $10.
Sat. Sept. 22 -- Pianist Vijay Iyer's already multigalactic universe keeps expanding with Blind Spot, a collaboration with writer-photographer Teju Cole; trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, malletwoman Patricia Franceschy and cellist Tomeka Reid amplify the sonics. Photo by Lynne Harty. A CAP UCLA presentation at the Theatre at Ace Hotel, 929 S. Broadway, L.A. 90015; 8pm; $30-$60; tix here.
Sun. Sept. 23 -- The Spiritual Jazz Ensemble pays tribute to the wide-ranging violinist MIchael White, who died in 2016. It's John Coltrane's birthday, so listen accordingly. At Zebulon, 2478 Fletcher Drive, Frogtown 90039; 8:30pm; $15; 21+; www.zebulon.la.
Sun. Sept. 23 -- I See Hawks in L.A. opens; The Bonedaddys close; you still get to bed on time. Modern country and cookin' groove, with a lotta L.A. history. At the Write-Off Room, 21791 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills 91364; 6pm; no cover; two-drink minimum; full bar; basic food menu; (818) 610-8308; www.thewriteoffroom.com.
Mon. Sept. 24 -- Finnish heroics from Amorphis, Swedish melodic death metal from Dark Tranquillity, Portuguese dramatic heft from Moonspell, tuneful Finnish death from Omnium Gatherum. A mythic alliance of seasoned metal warriors. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 7pm; $35; (310) 652-4202; www.whiskyagogo.com.
Mon. Sept. 24 -- It was worth the wait to discover what major vocalist-bassist Meshell Ndegeocello was going to come up with for this small-club gig: a sextet with renowned guitarist Jeff Parker, poet Morgan Parker, bassist Anna Butterss, drummer Abe Rounds and guitarist Benji Lysaght. 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; $30 advance tix recommended; 21+; parking $9 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
LATE ADD. Tues. Sept. 25 -- By Carlos Niño's personal introduction to Katalyst's Greg Paul at the Meshell Ndegeocello show Monday night, I was informed of this special show: the expando-grooving Black Nile, my favorite young band (read my review here), with closely allied jazzfunkers Katalyst (check YouTube here. At the Free Hand Hotel, 416 W. 8th St., downtown 90014; 8:30pm; cheap.
Wed. Sept. 26 -- John Hicks disciple and world absorber Armen Nalbandian bends his piano in homage to the late Cecil Taylor with an internationally recognized trio featuring bassist Eric Revis and drummer Nasheet Waits. Ambitious. At Mr. Musichead Gallery, 7420 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90046; 7:30pm; $20-$30; www.justjazz.tv.
Wed. Sept. 26 -- An all-star quartet of local avanteers on a bookstore floor: clarinetist Brian Walsh, saxist Eric Barber, percussionist Brad Dutz and percussionist Breeze Smith. At The Battery Books & Music, 26 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena 91101; 8pm; $5 suggested donation; (626) 376-9913.
Thurs. Sept. 27 -- Do you jest? No, it's really the warm & spontaneous cornet-tuba-percussion supertrio of Bobby Bradford, William Roper & Brad Dutz. At Sunspace, 9683 Sunland Blvd., Shadow Hills 91040; 8-10pm; $10.
Thurs. Sept. 27 -- Pianist Vardan Ovsepian bestows nontraditional jazz with some extra melody and European flavors; his coloristic sextet includes cellist Artyom Manukyan, bassist Darek Oles, drummer Jimmy Branly, percussionist Diego Alvarez and singer Sarah Lessire. 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.Sept. 27 -- The Oxford Coma throw dissonant guitars, jagged rhythms and strangled vox your way; they've been recorded by Steve Albini, who likes him some noise. Kind of a proggier Alice in Chains. With MAL, Zephyrplex, Lady and the Djents. At Silverlake Lounge, 2906 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake 90026; 8pm; $10; 21+.
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Sept. 30-Oct. 14 -- Rejoice, for Angel City Jazz Fest is about to rebirth itself with extreme improvisational music from around the nation. This year's performers include Wadada Leo Smith, ROVA Orkestrova, Azar Lawrence, Xenia Rubinos, Craig Taborn and plenty more; check the full lineup here.