JAZZ REVIEWS : OJAI FESTIVAL

Call it an urban prejudice, but it’s difficult to imagine a rural town, replete with roadside signs touting its local honey, being even hospitable to jazz and its proponents.

Yet nestled in the picturesque setting of the Ojai Valley, the folks at the 12th annual “Jazz at Ojai” festival Saturday were not only hospitable, but were warmly enthusiastic as well.

Indeed, the idyllic setting among the trees of the bowl at Libbey Park in Ojai proved a wonderful place for nearly 2,000 people to hear an afternoon of pre-bop and Kansas City swing and an evening of big band jazz and blues.

The evening blues came courtesy of Linda Hopkins, who closed out the evening concert fronting the Capp-Pierce Juggernaut big band.

Drawing on her shouter’s voice to order a “Pig’s Foot and a Bottle of Beer,” or suggest that “A Good Man Is Hard to Find,” Hopkins cajoled and coaxed the blues with a style that is uniquely her own. She also fared well with the more tempered “Stormy Monday,” the gospel-flavored “Shake a Hand” and the big swing of “Ain’t Nobody’s Business If I Do.”

On its own, the big band led by drummer Frank Capp and pianist Nat Pierce offered a rousing set. Sticking close to the Count Basie mold, the Juggernaut swung its way through a series of tunes that had saxophonist Bob Cooper and Pete Christlieb at their stylish best on “Basie,” with other efforts by trombonist Buster Cooper and the alto saxophonists Don Menza and Joe Romano being on an equal par. Jack Sheldon’s moments as singer, trumpeter and comic were inspired.

Earlier in the day, the Juggernaut leaders performed in the Kansas City Seven. Recalling the early days of Basie in that Midwestern city, the seven-man group offered relentlessly swinging performances of such timeless tunes as Lester Young’s “Tickle Toes” and Harry (Sweets) Edison’s “Jive at Five.” Tenor saxophonist Bob Cooper played beautifully on Jimmy Rushing’s “Gee Baby, Ain’t I Good to You,” and trumpeter Conte Candoli was at his best on Neal Hefti’s “Lil Darlin’.”

The nearly four-hour afternoon set began with the 52nd Street Band, a seven-man aggregate led by brothers Abe and Sam Most. Beginning with “Gettin’ Sentimental Over You” and ending with “Avalon,” the Brothers Most provided an entertaining set of familiar music. Trombonist Bob Havens turned in a couple of lovely solos before the brothers offered their clarinet (Abe) and flute (Sam) reading of “Sweet Georgia Brown.”

Singer Ella Mae Morse joined the band for a mercifully short set of five novelty numbers, including the perfunctory “Cow Cow Boogie.”