Fri. Nov. 16 -- Titled after a Monk tune and led by a former Tapscott drummer, Light Blue featuring Fritz Wise includes some of L.A.'s most potent full-range jazz players: saxist Marty Krystall, drummer Alexander Anderson and bassist Michael Alvidrez. Love the community feel of this series, curated by Dwight Trible. At the World Stage, 4321 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park 90008; 9pm (two sets); $20; www.theworldstage.org.
Fri. Nov. 16 -- Vocals, improvisation, not much like bop, it's Fish to Birds, doing their own set and jamming with the brilliant world percussion of Obliteration Quartet, featuring Brad Dutz, Chris Wabich, Scott Breadman & Bruce Carver. Hear FTBs' eerie groove collab with Bennie Maupin here. At Sunspace, 9683 Sunland Blvd., Shadow Hills 91040; 8-10pm; $10.
Fri. Nov. 16 -- The brilliance of scorch-metal trailbuster DevilDriver's foray into outlaw country is illustrated by this show's sold-out status. Read my review of DD's current "Outlaws 'til the End" here. With Jinjer, Raven Black, Discarnate Motions, Not My Master. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; sold out; (310) 652-4202; www.whiskyagogo.com.
Fri. Nov. 16 -- Former Pantera rasper Philip H. Anselmo & the Illegals perform industrialized churners such as "Music Media Is My Whore." Since media is a plural noun, it really should be "ARE My Whore." With Child Bite, Thrown Into Exile. At the Viper Room, 8852 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; 9pm; $25; (310) 652-7869; www.viperroom.com.
Fri. Nov. 16 -- Texas atmo-rockers This Will Destroy You rearrange your molecules via big gush & beauty. With Clarice Jensen. At the Regent Theater, 448 S. Main St., downtown 90013; 8pm; $25; 18+; www.ticketfly.com.
Fri. Nov. 16 -- Great spot to take in the casual urban-country artistry of I See Hawks in L.A. (10pm). With Bandini Mountaineers (9), Groovy Rednecks (11), Mike Livingston (12). At Café NELA, 1906 Cypress Ave., Glassell Park 90065; $10; beer only; 21+; www.cafenela.net.
Sat. Nov. 17 -- Unwrinkled Ear presents "abstract sentimental music" from New York's Sontag Shogun, Baltimore's Booker Stardrum & Andrew Bernstein, and L.A.'s Suzie Kozawa & Ang Wilson. At Coaxial Arts Foundation, 1815 S. Main St., downtown 90015; 8pm; $5; www.coaxialarts.com.
Sat. Nov. 17 -- Martin Espino presents the sounds & instruments of ancient Mexico, and lets your kids touch the wares. Valuable. At Brand Library and Art Center, 601 W. Mountain St., Glendale 91210; 10:30am; FREE.
Sat. Nov. 17 -- Trumpeter Elliott Caine's combo swings old-skool. At Colombo's Restaurant, 1833 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041; 9:30pm-midnight; no cover; (323) 254-9138.
Sat. Nov. 17 -- Immerse in dark art, art-art and artistic music at "Midnite Communion V" with Bongzilla & Bongripper, Haggatha, Ilsa, Future Usses, Cloven. At Club Los Globos, 3040 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park 90026; doors 3pm; $15-$35 tix
Sat. Nov. 17 -- Power of the Riff Fest kicks off with an opening party featuring The Sonics (yes, the '60s Tacoma troglodytes who did "The Witch" and influenced Hendrix, carrying on the tradition with original saxist Rob Lind), Asian heavy-pop gangsters The Primals, and This White Light. At the Echo, 1822 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park 90023; 5:30pm; $28 tix here; (213) 413-8200; www.attheecho.com.
Sun. Nov. 17 -- Power of the Riff continues downstairs by celebrating the 20th anniversary of Southern Lord Records and black-robed drone rumblers Sunn O))), plus members of hardcore metalmen Darkest Hour, plus Xlbalba, Xasthur, Entry, Papa M, Scream. At the EchoPlex, 1154 Glendale Blvd., Echo Park 90026; doors 3pm; sold out but check for exchange tix here; 21+.
Sat.-Sun. Nov. 17-18 -- The nine members of Ethio Cali give you just what the name says, a local take on Ethiopian '70s groove-jazz; DJs and beatmakers augment. 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.
Sun. Nov. 18 -- Just "a trio"? No, it's "A" Trio, with major L.A. improvisers Vinny Golia (winds), Nathan Hubbard (percussion) and Steuart Liebig (electric bass). At The Battery Books & Music, 26 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena 91101; 8pm; $5 suggested donation; (626) 376-9913.
Sun. Nov. 18 -- Elliott Caine. At the York Bar and Restaurant, 5018 York Blvd., Highland Park 90042; 7:30-10pm; no cover; (323) 255-9675.
Sun. Nov. 18 -- Singer Karen Landau, guitarist Michael Landau and star steel guitarist Greg Leisz are Hazey Jane, exploring the dark corners of folk beauty. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $20; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Mon. Nov. 19 -- Huff deep with veteran New Orleans sludgemasters Eyehategod. Cro-Mags support. At the Roxy, 9009 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; $25; (310) 278-9457; www.theroxy.com.
Mon. Nov. 19 -- An inviting and well established South L.A. semiabstractionist trombone-piano duo: Michael Dessen & Joshua White. 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; $15; 21+; parking $9 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.