JAZZ REVIEW : Trombonist Bill Watrous Sans Orchestra at the Loa

Bill Watrous, whose new album presents him in an elaborate orchestral setting, is working under conspicuously different conditions at the Loa in Santa Monica, where his accompaniment consists simply of three musicians playing without arrangements and obviously without rehearsal.

Fortunately, Watrous’ virtuosity as a trombonist, and the quality of the company he is keeping on this modest gig, are rewarding enough to compensate for some of the shortcomings. He shines most brightly in the delineation of a standard melody such as “Stella by Starlight.”

As he moves from thematic statement to variations, his phenomenal technique sometimes tends to run away with him. Typically, on a blues written by fellow trombonist J.J. Johnson (whose new quintet opens at the club Thursday), he began in an unpretentious indigo mood, then stepped up the notes-per-second quota until the original impact was slightly reduced.

Ron Eschete, the guitarist who seems to be a semi-regular in this room, achieved a commendable blend of fire and finesse, of chords and cooking single note lines, without ever overextending himself. Regrettably, he did not announce the two songs in his medley, “In Love in Vain” and “Stars Fell on Alabama.” Watrous also failed to identify his own specialty, Ray Noble’s “The Touch of Your Lips.” Tunes of this type, unfamiliar to many younger listeners, deserve to be named.

Watrous has been featuring himself lately as a whistler, a role he assumed during one number here. Though he is an expert lip-puckerer, this sound is an acquired taste, like the bagpipes.

Bassist Ray Brown, leader of the backup trio, offered his by now familiar bowed solo on “Samba de Orfeu,” performed impeccably. Earlier in the set his bass suffered from sound problems, aggravated by John Guerin, who seemed to be playing big band drums in this small combo setting.

Watrous concluded with Sonny Rollins’ “Oleo,” soloing with the creativity and control that have earned him the admiration of his own early idols such as Johnson.

Though this set clearly was not without its kinks, given the general level of talent among the participants it can be assumed they will be ironed out before the group closes Sunday.