JAZZ REVIEW : Mixed-Media Show Produces Mixed Results

“Jazz Connections,” the first of a series of weekly evening presentations, was introduced Thursday at the Studio Grill, 7321 Santa Monica Blvd.

The concept of a mixed-media show involving live music and classic jazz on film, the latter seen on two TV screens, was laudable in theory, and indeed much of the music was admirable, with Count Basie, Jimmy Rushing and Lester Young and many others.

Freddie Redd, the veteran bop pianist, assembled a sextet for this occasion, playing some of the music he wrote long ago for “The Connection” (he appeared as actor and musician in the stage and film versions).

Redd’s sidemen are well suited to the material, particularly a fleet trumpeter named Jerry Rusch and the redoubtable bassist Al McKibbon. Redd himself has to work at an upright piano that cries out for help (in the form of a tuner); but this was just one problem in an evening loaded with them.

Fred Baker, who produced the show, presented the famous CBS film “The Sound of Jazz,” in the segments before and after the live sessions. However, he also saw fit to introduce and interrupt the live sets with a pretentious and pointless narration, which he read from a script--hardly in the true jazz spirit of freedom. Moreover, to set up a superb film of Billie Holiday, he sang a number himself.

The audience in the overcrowded room talked noisily through every film clip. The musicians were bunched together so closely that had one of them lit a cigarette, three would have been in danger of catching fire.

Worst of all, the show was interminable. By the time Bruce Scott, an enthusiastic young jazz singer, had his turn at the mike, it had been running two hours and 10 minutes. If Baker wants to make this idea work, he would be well advised to stay off the bandstand, cut the show to 90 minutes tops, and turn the lights down so low that the customers may realize that something magic is happening up on those screens.