JAZZ REVIEW : Newsom & Co. Heat Up Valley Concert Series

Relief from Sunday afternoon’s scorching heat in Woodland Hills would have had to come from a source other than the Tommy Newsom Orchestra. Appearing as part of the Valley Cultural Center’s concert series at Warner Park, Newsom and company only made things hotter.

Newsom, who has distinguished himself as a saxophonist, arranger, conductor and stand-in foil for Johnny Carson on “The Tonight Show,” had his befuddled personality and extraordinary musicianship intact during Sunday’s two-set alfresco concert. Also intact was a big band that would look--and sound--familiar to late-night television viewers. The main difference was that in this setting, the band got to play extended versions of each composition.

Newsom’s orchestra, composed of players equally adept in both jazz and studio work, is an arranger’s dream band and to that end, Newsom presented some marvelous vehicles. The territory might have been familiar, but the routes were new and fascinating.

Both Ellington (a medley ending, of course, with “Satin Doll”) and Basie (“9:20 Special”) were done with a flair by arranger John Bambridge, who also played alto saxophone with the orchestra. Similar homage was paid to Benny Goodman (“Stompin’ at the Savoy”) and Dizzy Gillespie (“Salt Peanuts”). In each case, Bambridge lent variety to the familiar, such as his jostling the “Salt Peanuts” refrain through the band’s horn sections.

Bill Holman was the other principal writer for the afternoon. His tribute to Woody Herman with the blues “Woodrow” was as attractive a tune as is imaginable, made especially so by Bob Cooper’s tenor saxophone solo. Equally effective was the rousing “Lightning” and a wildly raucous “Fear and Loathing in Van Nuys.”

Fine solos abounded, not the least of which was Newsom’s flute on the beautiful “Mirage.” Trumpeter Snooky Young had his moment in the sun with Jimmie Lunceford’s “Taint What You Do.”

At the band’s core was the capable rhythm section of pianist Ross Tompkins, bassist Chuck Berghofer and drummer Ed Shaughnessy, who amazed the crowd with his uncanny ability to trade fours with himself.