JAZZ REVIEW : Saxophonist Cole Lets the Good Times Roll

Like a legendary namesake, Richie Cole assumes a merry-old-soul attitude toward life, one that is reflected in his music. Given to such slogans as “Alto Madness” and lately “Pop Bop” (the title of his current album), he sounds at times less like a former protege of Phil Woods than a parody.

A sly quote here, a sputtering cadenza there, may interrupt the even flow of creative thought, yet Cole (whose engagement at the Vine St. Bar & Grill has been extended through Sunday) basically is a well-schooled musician who, in his less comedy-conscious moments, displays a clean, legitimate sound and splendid control of the horn.

In tunes like “Confirmation,” “Jeannine” and “Cloudburst” on Wednesday, there was no time for gimmicks; he was too busy delivering straight-ahead neo-bebop, backed by the Ross Tompkins Trio. His best ballad effort, “Pure Imagination,” reflected more of a Benny Carter than a Charlie Parker influence, but regrettably tailed off with a fulsomely explosive ending.

Though Cole does not lead a regular group at the moment, he was fortunate to have Tompkins, with Allan Jackson on bass and Greg Field on drums. Once or twice Tompkins could be seen holding up the unfamiliar sheet music with his left hand and playing the piano with his right, but that should be straightened out by now. Cole was wise to yield the spotlight to the ever-dependable pianist for a solo number, “Softly as in a Morning Sunrise,” that was one of the highlights of the set.

Jackson, though not an outstanding soloist, is a sturdy rhythm section functionary; Field, a former drummer with the Count Basie band, is no less at home in this intimate setting.

Cole’s sometimes satirical outlook interferes only occasionally with the validity of his presentation. Clearly he is having a good time and wants the audience to share in it. Moreover, where too many of his contemporaries are practicing safe sax, Cole believes in taking chances; if he misses now and then, the swinging spontaneity of the result makes the effort well worthwhile.