No Goon Rants

For a dose of earthier, more stripped- down jump/swing this week, check out Greg Piccolo & Heavy Juice on Friday night at the Blue Cafe. Piccolo used to be the singer/saxophonist for Roomful of Blues —who were playing swing eons before it became trendy—and embarked on a solo career in 1994. His Illinois Jacquet-influenced tenor work is a particular joy, as Piccolo kicks out obscure covers by the likes of Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, Ray Charles and Duke Ellington, along with a bunch of solid originals. Piccolo also picks a decent guitar and strays into the realm of funk-jazz from time to time, but hot jump remains his forte.

SLASH'S SNAKEPIT AT THE GALAXY CONCERT THEATRE, 3503 S. HARBOR BLVD., SANTA ANA, (714) 957-0600. SUN., 8 P.M. $17.50. ALL AGES; KEELY SMITH AT THE ORANGE COUNTY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, 600 TOWN CENTER DR., COSTA MESA, (714) 556-2121. FRI.-SAT., 7:30 & 9:30 P.M. $54. ALL AGES; GREG PICCOLO & HEAVY JUICE AT THE BLUE CAFE, 210 THE PROMENADE, LONG BEACH, (562) 983-7111. FRI., 9 P.M. $6. 21+.