Fri. April 12 -- Guitar looper and atmophysicist G.E. Stinson puts together abstract electronified trio and quintet jams with notable trombonist Michael Dessen (pictured), bass tripper Steuart Liebig, upright bassist Miller Wrenn and drummer Brian Christopherson for inner/outer journeys. Also with "fiber" synth and field recordings from Eric Demastes & Tom Sturm in the spooky SpaceSearch. By the end, you will be persuaded that the moon is hollow and black holes are really white. At Coaxial Arts Foundation, 1815 S. Main St., downtown 90015; 8pm; $7; www.coaxialarts.org.
Sat. April 13 -- Swinging Hungarian jazz with modern classical colorations: Drum godfather Peter Erskine presents composer-pianist Daniel Szabo in a 14-piece ensemble featuring violinist Sara Parkins, violist Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, and windmen Kim Richmond and Katisse Buckingham. Ambitious, well staffed and good. At Moss Theater in the Herb Alpert Educational Village of New Roads School, 3131 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica 90404; 8pm; $35 ($25 students); www.jazzbakery.org.
Sun. April 14 -- Balanced and cool without being cerebral, Los Angeles Jazz Quartet make you feel at home with saxist Chuck Manning, guitarist Larry Koonse, bassist Darek Oles and drummer Jason Harnell. A bargain. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $15; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Sun. April 14 -- Celebrating SASSAS's 20th anniversary, SoundShoppe Orchestra casts back to many of the syntho-noisemakers who've contributed to this monthly open electronic jam, including Joe Potts, Rick Potts, Jorge Martin, Elaine Carey and whoever has enuf juice. At Center for the Arts, 2225 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041; 1pm; free; www.sassas.org.
Mon.-Wed. April 15-17 -- Michael Schenker Fest delivers the Scorpions/UFO/MSG/etc. guitarist's wicked metal prestidigitations via some of his favorite singers from across the years: Doogie White, Graham Bonnet, Gary Barden and Robin McAuley. Other bands open. Are Tues. and Wed. sold out? Can't tell from the mysterious website. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 7:30pm; $50; (310) 652-4202; www.whiskyagogo.com.
Wed. April 17 -- East Coast metalmen Horrendous hurl progressive death with a lotta left-field surprises. Plus Of Feather and Bone, Kommand, Mortal Wound, Encoffinized. At the Echo, 1822 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park 90023; 9pm; $12; (213) 413-8200; www.attheecho.com.
Wed. April 17 -- Jazzfunky keyboardist Andy Milne (Dapp Theory, Steve Coleman) returns to his roots with the more traditional Unison trio featuring bassist John Hebert and drummer Clarence Penn. At Mr. Musichead Gallery, 7420 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90046; 7:30pm; $15-$25; www.justjazz.tv.
Wed. April 17 -- Richard Sears frames his piano sensitivity and well-rounded tunes in a star trio with bassist Eric Revis and drummer Mark Ferber. 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. April 18 -- What a band gathers around universalistic violist-composer Miguel Atwood-Ferguson: keyboardist Josh Nelson, drummer Gene Coye, harpist Liza Wallace, tenor man Daniel Rotem, alto man Devin Daniels, percussionist/DJ Carlos Niño and bassist Gabe Noel. 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; $25; 21+; parking $9 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Thurs. April 18 -- Jazz, rhythm and fragmentation rule with the new L.A. avant supergroup Scrappers, featuring cornetist Dan Clucas, guitarist Joe Baiza, bassist Jeff Schwartz and drummer Brian Christopherson. At Industry Café and Jazz, 6039 Washington Blvd., Culver City 90232; 8pm; pay what seems right; Ethiopian & soul food, beer & wine; (310) 202-6633; www.industrycafela.com.
Thurs. April 18 -- Metal Allegiance does it old-skool via Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy, Megadeth bassist David Ellefson, Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick, songwriter Mark Menghi and no doubt a parade of special guests. With Superfix, Weapons of Anew, Hollywood Nightmares. At the Belasco Theater, 1050 S. Hill St., downtown 90015; 6pm; $25-$40; www.ticketmaster.com.