CABARET AND JAZZ REVIEWS : MORGAN, CARTER

This is a good week for alto saxophonists. In addition to David Sanborn, Frank Morgan opened at the Catalina (he’ll be there again tonight) and Benny Carter began a three-day run at the Vine Street Bar and Grill (also through tonight).

Morgan’s unconventional setting (the Catalina is a seafood restaurant on Cahuenga Boulevard) dictated the use of a duo, with pianist Milcho Leviev as a one-man rhythm section.

The pair used such devices as dramatic, out-of-tempo explorations and changes of time or meter, punctuated by Leviev’s stabbing left-hand lines. These passages coaxed Morgan into some explosively declarative statements.

Around the corner at Vine Street, Benny Carter displayed the same buoyant spirit and originality that marked his appearance at the Hollywood Bowl, reviewed here last August. Playing a few originals, some standards and a warmly seductive blues, Carter was in the mood to double on trumpet, always a welcome bonus. He was backed as usual by Gerald Wiggins at the piano and Sherman Ferguson on drums, along with the bassist Larry Gales.