Jazz Reviews : Pianist Les McCann Brings New Heart to Familiar Beats

Les McCann, whose broadened musical scope in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s brought him new-found success, took what on the surface amounted to a trip down memory lane before a full house at Birdland West on Friday evening in Long Beach.

But more than an exercise in nostalgia, his opening set was a solidly musical hour that showed that the pianist could find plenty of new adventures along familiar paths.

Opening with a standard, “I’m in Love,” McCann showed his be-bop roots as he introduced the impressive talents of trumpeter Jeff Elliott. With muted trumpet, Elliot offered phrase after phrase of inspired, improvised melodies.

Second up was “Listen Here,” a tune by Eddie Harris, the saxophonist with whom McCann has variously worked since 1969. The funky, rock-based tune was driven by electric bassist Curtis Robertson Jr., whose repeated theme gave way to a tidy solo that never lost track of the original bass line.

A pair of ballads was offered during McCann’s opening set. The first, “With These Hands,” featured Elliot on fluegelhorn, verily soaring over the leader’s effective harmonies and the rock steady beat of drummer Ralph Penland. The second had McCann alone at the piano, dreamily exploring the gentle melody and lyrics of “Every Time I See a Butterfly.”

McCann’s voice was also lent to “The Morning Song,” a hip and sultry funk piece that again showcased Elliot’s effective fluegelhorn soloing, and to a generic blues. The blues, presented with a shoulder-slouching shuffle, showed McCann as an effective shouter, while “Butterfly” and “Morning” revealed a gentler side--one in which his raspy voice would break at just the right emotional peaks.

As is his wont, McCann ended the set with “Compared to What?,” his infectious anthem with which the audience enthusiastically joined in a heartfelt sing-along.