Fri.-Sat. May 10-11 -- Vijay Iyer, a pianist who can improvise, conceptualize and emotionalize all in the same second, forms a sextet of reliable and sympathetic allies with tenor saxist Mark Shim, trumpeter Graham Haynes, alto saxist Steve Lehman, drummer Tyshawn Sorey and bassist Stephan Crump. At Cal State University Northridge's the Soraya, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge 91330; 8pm; $29-$66; www.thesoraya.org.
Fri.-Sat. May 10-11 -- Big-thinking pianist Billy Childs leads a variegated Jazz/Chamber Ensemble featuring famed drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith, a string section, a harp, a couple o' singers, a poetry recitation and maybe a botany lecture. 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.
Fri. May 10 -- Happy birthday, Richard Meltzer.
Sat. May 11 -- Classical-metal guitar shredder Yngwie Malmsteen's latest album focuses on the blues, which is a terrible idea, but he'll amaze ya whatever he chooses to burn on. At the Rose, 245 E. Green St., Pasadena 91101; doors 6pm, reserved spots must be grabbed by 7pm, headliner 9pm; $38-$68; (888) 645-5006; www.roseconcerts.com.
Sun. May 12 -- L.A. Free Music Society co-founder Joe Potts organizes another monthly open Soundshoppe electronic jam, no invitation required. At Center for the Arts, 2225 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock 90041; 1pm; FREE; (626) 795-4989.
Tues. May 14 -- Liz Blackwell and Castle enshroud the gloom & krieg. With Qaalm, more. At the Lexington Bar, 129 E. Third St., downtown 90013; 8pm; $10; 21+; www.lexbarla.com.
Wed. May 15 -- Portland sludgemasters Lord Dying fly the flannel & leather. With Year of the Cobra, Ancient Fears. At the Lexington Bar, 129 E. Third St., downtown 90013; 6pm; $10; 21+; www.lexbarla.com.
Thurs. May 16 -- When local drummer of choice Dan Schnelle (Josh Nelson, Daniel Rosenboom, Anthony Wilson, Nick Mancini et al.) puts together a band, you know it ain't slacking. 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.
Thurs. May 16 -- Zurich drums-vox abstractionist Jason Kahn forms an appropriate trio with guitar punctuator Joe Baiza and bass electrician Devin Sarno. At Sunspace, 9683 Sunland Blvd., Shadow Hills 91040; 8-10pm; $10.