Fri. Nov. 23 -- Arkestra conductor and saxist Michael Session leads a core sextet for intense Afro-jazz groove and unfettered improvisation. Always tops. At LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., LA 90036; 6-8pm; FREE; Friday jazz schedule here.
Sat. Nov. 24 -- If you dig it when woodwind master Charles Lloyd sits and cocks an ear as one of his brilliant pianists (Jason Moran, Geri Allen and now Gerald Clayton) ventures into harmonic wonderland, you will be in rapture with this Lloyd-Clayton duo. Intimate and revealing, this figures as one of the year's best concerts -- Clayton has grown enormously. At Moss Theater in the Herb Alpert Educational Village of New Roads School, 3131 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica 90404; 8pm; $45/$65; www.jazzbakery.org.
Sat. Nov. 24 -- Polish black-death superstars Behemoth grind their hooky buzzpicked riffs and promote their new "I Loved You at Your Darkest." Exceptional blackened bill with Swedish deathsters At the Gates and atmospheric Americans Wolves in the Throne Room. At the Wiltern, 3790 Wilshire Blvd., LA 90010; 6:30pm; $30-$60; (213) 388-1400; www.livenation.com.
Sat. Nov. 24 -- Glam up your horror with Wednesday 13. Support from Davey Suicide, Fate Destroyed, Darling Dead, The Rhythm Coffin, Dusty Mitchell, Mortis, Emine. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 6pm; $20; (310) 652-4202; www.whiskyagogo.com.
Mon. Nov. 26 -- A natural piano-vibes team of fine post-mainstream melodists: Josh Nelson & Nick Mancini. 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.
Wed. Nov. 28 -- Renowned saxist David Binney continues his residency with plenty of chops and a penetrating mind. 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.
Wed. Nov. 28 -- With John Coltrane not available to perform his music, the estimable Teodross Avery has a good whack at it. At Mr. Musichead Gallery, 7420 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90046; 7:30pm; $20-$25; www.justjazz.tv.
Wed. Nov. 28 -- Drums, sax, bass! It's the improvising and electronified trio of Tzadik artist Lukas Ligeti, Michael Fischer & Steuart Liebig. At The Battery Books & Music, 26 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena 91101; 8pm; $5 suggested donation; (626) 376-9913.
Thurs.-Fri. Nov. 29-30 -- Peter Erskine and Dr. Um is the delicate but swinging Weather Report drummer with a remarkable band featuring keyboardist John Beasley, saxist Bob Sheppard and bassist Benjamin J. Shepherd. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $25-$30; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.