Walter Smith III celebrates album release

One of the top talents on the scene, saxophonist Walter Smith III has been most prominently heard as the near-telepathic foil to trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire on his heavily buzzed Blue Note debut and its acclaimed 2014 follow-up, “The Imagined Savior Is Far Easier to Paint.”

Here Smith celebrates the release of “Still Casual,” his first album as a leader in four years that ranges from gracefully knotted sprints to lush ballads. A quintet that includes drummer Eric Harland, bassist Harish Raghavan and pianist Fabian Almazan will be on hand, and don’t be too surprised if Akinmusire shows up as well. The Blue Whale, 123 Astronaut E.S. Onizuka St., No. 301, Los Angeles. $20, Fri.-Sat., 9 p.m. https://www.bluewhalemusic.com. -- Chris Barton