Fri. May 17 -- Burning Ghosts trumpeter Daniel Rosenboom presents "Absurd in the Athropocene," an 11-member postfusion extravaganza including the notable likes of saxist David Binney, saxist Gavin Templeton, keyboardist Jeff Babko, bassist Tim Lefebvre, guitarist Alex Noice and electronicist Troy Ziegler, with live video projections by Travis Flournoy. 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.
Fri.-Sat. May 17-18 -- On Friday, penetrating guitar fusionist Michael Landau forms a trio with drummer Alan Hertz and bassist Travis Carlton; Hazey Jane (Michael and dark folk singer Karen Landau) supports. On Saturday, Landau leads his Liquid Quartet with bassist Jimmy Johnson, drummer Alan Hertz and singer-guitarist David Frazee. At the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City 91604; 9:30 & 11:30pm; $30; (818) 980-1615; www.thebakedpotato.com.
Sat. May 18 -- The veteran flutist-saxist of the talented Laws family, Hubert Laws, shows his mastery of classical, jazz and soul in a rare appearance with bassist John Leftwich, drummer Joey Heredia and keyboardist Rob Mullins. At Moss Theater in the Herb Alpert Educational Village of New Roads School, 3131 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica 90404; 8:30pm; $30 ($25 students); www.jazzbakery.org.
Sat. May 18 -- Anchored by powerful drummer Gene Coye, violinist-composer Miguel Atwood-Ferguson colors his world-conscious nonet with keyboards and a pair of harps! Carlos Niño plays percussion and deejays his Rare Groove specialties. 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.
Sat. May 18 -- Bay Area thrash forefathers Death Angel rise again. With Striker, Dark As Death, Gravedanger, The Prodigal Son, Kill As One. At the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069; doors 7pm; $25; (310) 652-4202; www.whiskyagogo.com.
Sat. May 18 -- Get yer molten fix with Pounder (power metal), Gygax (twin-guitar melodic charge). At Five Star Bar, 267 S. Main St., downtown 90012; 9pm; $10; https://fivestarbardtla.com; (323) 428-4492.
Sun. May 19 -- I See Hawks in L.A. slip ya the urban country sideways. With The Furious Seasons, Brian Whelan. At the Love Song Bar, 450 Main St., downtown 90013; 8:30pm; FREE; 21+.
Sun. May 19 -- Trumpeter Elliott Caine's combo pulls ya back to 1960 and forward to where that still lives. At the York Bar and Restaurant, 5018 York Blvd., Highland Park 90042; 7:30-10pm; no cover; (323) 255-9675.
Wed. May 22 -- Miles keyboardist John Beasley leads a piano quartet with feelgood saxist Ralph Moore plus bassist Eric Revis and drummer Anthony Fung. At Mr. Musichead Gallery, 7420 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90046; 7:30pm; $15-$25; www.justjazz.tv.
Wed. May 22 -- What is this, Ambition Week at the Whale? Flanked by vibesman Nick Mancini and pianist Vardan Ovsepian, ace clarinetist John Tegmeyer assembles a 10-member brigade featuring cellist Artyom Manukyan and three violins. Too big to be "chamber." 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. May 22 -- Skeletonwitch, most concise and songlike of the modern-metal legion, rage with Soft Kill, Wiegedood, Portrayal of Guilt. At Teragram Ballroom, 1234 W. Seventh St., downtown 90017; 9pm; $25; www.teragramballroom.com.
Wed.-Thurs. May 22-23 -- Would you believe Black Label Society have just released a THIRD version of their 1999 debut, "Sonic Brew"? The update has not diminished Zakk Wylde's crudest, most immediate album with its new artistic tweaks, and I still love the overamped original; glad to have all three. With The Atomic Bitchwax, Conan. At El Rey Theater, 5515 Wilshire Blvd., L.A.; 7:30pm; $35-$42; www.theelrey.com.