Jazz Reviews : Berry, Cooper Simply Swing at Grand Avenue

Jazz that swings with simplicity and enthusiasm has long been cornetist Bill Berry’s strong suit, and that was just what he brought to the Grand Avenue Bar on Tuesday, when he and trombonist Buster Cooper led a quintet. As both men have served tenures with Duke Ellington, it was a natural that the music should center on chestnuts from the maestro’s repertoire.

“Just Squeeze Me,” “Sophisticated Lady” and “Cottontail” were among the light-listening numbers the band--completed by George Gaffney on piano, Monty Budwig on bass, and Jake Hanna on drums--played during its opening set of this two-night stand. And even though the group had not rehearsed, the men had played together often enough that a rapport was quickly established.

Ellington’s Billy Strayhorn-composed theme, “Take the ‘A’ Train,” was an apropos opener, and Berry, his eyes shut tight, his horn pointing slightly to his right as he played, mixed crackling, brassy notes with lines that had a sure rhythmic snap. Cooper, whose work is distinguished by a robust, swarthy sound, here used single, well-spaced notes, as crisp as freshly starched shirts, hitting each note with considerable emphasis.

Berry came out with a shimmering tone when he stuck in a Harmon mute on “Lady” and “Cottontail,” and on the latter he rode over the brisk tempo, using economy to convey his feelings. Here Gaffney, a bop-oriented improviser, developed intricate lines that had plenty of well-chosen notes.

Hanna and Budwig, two ace timekeepers, made sure that where the downbeats fell was never in doubt, enabling their colleagues to work with relaxation. Budwig played several fine solos, revealing his trademark supple, rich sound and inventive horn-like melodic conception as one ear-pleasing idea led to the next.