Fri. Sept. 20 -- When alto saxist Tim Berne and Broken Shadows play Ornette selections, they focus on the songfulness. The band -- bassist Reid Anderson and drummer Dave King from The Bad Plus, tenor man and experienced Berne associate Chris Speed -- are all ace improvisers, sure. But it took their cover of "Broken Shadows" to make me realize that the melody is based on the bridge of Billie Holiday's "Don't Explain," and their cover of Charlie Haden's "Song for Che" to demonstrate how this painful ballad could become a world anthem to be sung by children everywhere. The quartet's natural, relaxed interplay feels more harmonic than harmolodic, so some listeners may even prefer these clear, embraceable versions. I'm delighted to have both. Highly recommended. At Zebulon, 2478 Fletcher Drive, Frogtown 90039; doors 8pm; $20; 21+; www.zebulon.la.
Fri.-Sat. Sept. 20-21 -- Keyboardist Larry Goldings has enough breadth and enough friends to fill a three-night residency. 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.
Sat. Sept. 21 -- That Nick Mancini sure has a lot of music in him. You'll want to to stay for both sets, each a different expression with only percussionists Scott Breadman and Pete Korpela in common (other players include saxist Katisse Buckingham and guitarist Adam Ratner): Set one is the vibraphonist's brand-new Brazilian project, while set two is an album-release celebration for the Nick Mancini Collective's "Reverence." 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. Sept. 21 -- On the closing weekend under the enduring management of Dave Travis, the very first bill he ever booked here six years ago reunites: Eric Potter (5), Garretson & Gorodetsky (6), Hookah (7), Swords of Fatima (8), Somos Mysteriosos (9), Carnage Asada (10), Atomic Sherpas (11), Nostradumass (12). At Café NELA, 1906 Cypress Ave., Glassell Park 90065; 8pm; $10; beer only; 21+; www.cafenela.net.
Wed. Sept. 25 -- Local drum fave Trevor Anderies assembles a cast of familiar experts: clarinetist Brian Walsh, trumpeter Stephanie Richards, pianist Cathlene Pineda, bassist Dave Tranchina. At Mr. Musichead Gallery, 7420 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90046; 7:30pm; $15-$25; www.justjazz.tv.
Wed.-Sat. Sept. 25-28 -- Subtly swinging pianist Josh Nelson's trio with bassist Dave Robaire and drummer Dan Schnelle is augmented by drummer Joe LaBarbera (Wed.) and guitarist Larry Koonse (next Fri.-Sat.). At Sam First, 6171 W. Century Blvd., L.A. 90045 (near LAX in front of Marriott Courtyard); 8 & 9:30pm; $15-$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.
Thurs. Sept. 26 -- Modern sax master David Binney and friends continue to reside on the last Thursday of the month. 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. Sept. 26 -- Soak up windman Glen Garrett's veteran quartet with guitarist Grant Geissman, bassist Bruce Lett and percussionist Brad Dutz. At Sunspace, 9683 Sunland Blvd., Shadow Hills 91040; 8-10pm; $10.
Stay close to home for the border-pushing music of Angel City Jazz Fest, featuring Nicole Mitchell/Tomeka Reid (10/2), Jenny Scheinman (10/3), Jacob Mann (10/4), Kris Davis (10/5), Dan Rosenboom (10/6), Aaron Parks (10/9), Dwight Trible/Joshua White (10/10), Terry Riley (10/11), Scott Amendola-Phillip Greenlief (10/12), Makaya McCraven/David Binney (10/13); www.angelcityjazz.com.