Happening Wednesday: Arianna Huffington, Billy Cobham and more

JAZZ

Billy Cobham Born in Panama, raised in New York and a resident of Switzerland for more than a quarter-century, the drummer and his inspirations are nothing if not worldly. Cobham, a founding member of the Mahavishnu Orchestra in the early 1970s, takes his jazzy — and jazz fusion-y — stylings to the stage of the Catalina Bar & Grill for a four-night engagement at the historic Hollywood jazz club. Catalina Bar & Grill. 6725 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. 10 p.m. $20. www.catalinajazzclub.com.

BOOKS

Arianna Huffington The liberal-minded creator of the Huffington Post launches the 15th season of Writer’s Bloc. Satirical filmmaker Adam McKay (“Talladega Nights,” “Step Brothers” and “Anchorman”) will join the new media mogul for a lively discussion of Huffington’s new book, “Third World America: How Our Politicians Are Abandoning the Middle Class and Betraying the American Dream.” Temple Emanuel, 300 N. Clark Drive, Beverly Hills. 7:30 p.m. $20. (310) 288-3737. www.writersblocpresents.com.

Leslie Marmon Silko The distinguished author and MacArthur fellow will read from and discuss her work, including her latest book, “The Turquoise Ledge.” The memoir draws on Native American storytelling traditions and traces Silko’s complex heritage. Novelist and critic Judith Freeman will facilitate the conversation. Aloud at Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free (reservations recommended). (213) 228-7025. https://www.aloudla.org.