Fri. April 19 -- Ease into the weekend with saxist Chuck Manning, guitarist Larry Koonse, bassist Darek Oles and drummer Jason Harnell, a.k.a. Los Angeles Jazz Quartet, bringing the low-key energy and the sensitive flow, and celebrating 25 years of cool jamz. A pleasure whether you're tanked or not. 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. April 19 -- German leather queen Doro is riding a double CD of new melodic-metal anthems and not neglecting her Warlock legacy; guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof and singer Mike Howe continue the tuneful triumph of veteran smelters Metal Church with WASP drummer Stet Howland. Support comes from Images of Eden. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; 8pm; $30; (310) 652-4202; www.whiskyagogo.com.
Fri. April 19 -- Italian metalmen Ufomammut celebrate 20 years of evil sludge with Destroy Judas, DJ Painkiller. At Jewel's Catch One, 4067 W. Pico Blvd. (east of Crenshaw), L.A. 90019; 9pm; $20; (323) 734-8849; website here.
Sat. April 20 -- Smoked salmon, Smokey the Bear and Smokey Burgess are among the cultural touchstones honored at Psycho Smokeout, featuring Yob, Monolord, Elder, Amenra, CHRCH and many more non-abstainers. At Jewel's Catch One, 4067 W. Pico Blvd. (east of Crenshaw), L.A. 90019; noon till late; $60 tix here; (323) 734-8849; website here.
Sat. April 20 -- Taste and tradition leave their heirlooms in the capable hands of guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel and his Standards Trio with bassist Dario Deidda and drummer Mark Whitfield Jr. At Moss Theater in the Herb Alpert Educational Village of New Roads School, 3131 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica 90404; 8:30pm; $40 ($35 students); www.jazzbakery.org.
Sat. April 20 -- Hankerin' fer some European electronix, audiovisuals, modern composition and sound art? Gas up the Silverado for Marko Ciciliano & Barbara Luneburg; T(Raum); and Salvae. At Coaxial Arts Foundation, 1815 S. Main St., downtown 90015; 8pm; $7; www.coaxialarts.org.
Sun. April 21 -- Now that nobody knows what bebop and soul jazz are, trumpeter Elliott Caine remembers it for you, and not just via sanctioned chestnuts (writes his own, too). At the York Bar and Restaurant, 5018 York Blvd., Highland Park 90042; 7:30-10pm; no cover; (323) 255-9675.
Wed. April 24 -- Celebrating the Music of James Newton is a heck of a worthy endeavor; the hard thing is picking which of the L.A. composer-educator's imaginative and award-winning works to celebrate. Newton will direct the ensemble, entrusting his own flute parts to Nicole Mitchell (one of the few who can truly do them justice) and the rest to sax legend Bennie Maupin, avant bass torchbearer Roberto Miranda, cellist Shana Tucker, pianist Luca Mendoza and drummer Anthony Fung. It's close enough to Easter/Passover to make selections from Newton's "St. Matthew's Passion," "Mass" and "Psalm 119" appropriate. It's also the birthday of series curator Leroy Downs. Major. At Mr. Musichead Gallery, 7420 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90046; 7:30pm; $15-$25; www.justjazz.tv.
The impressive lineup at Sam First this week includes Kaveh Rastegar (Fri.), Vardan Ovsepian (Sat.), Nick Mancini (Wed.) and Otmaro Ruiz (Thurs.). At Sam First, 6171 W. Century Blvd., L.A. 90045 (near LAX in front of Marriott Courtyard); 8 & 9:30pm; $20 plus one-drink minimum per set; full bar; snacks; small parking lot in rear, reduced-rate validated parking at nearby Joe's Auto Park; (424) 800-2006; www.samfirstbar.com.