Jazz Reviews : Oregon Shows Its Style

The group Oregon--which began blending jazz, classical and world music elements with improvisation nearly 20 years ago and whose music indirectly presaged the New Age movement--showed in its 90-minute set Monday amid the glitz of the Strand in Redondo Beach that it far surpasses the competition as creative musical colorists.

Oregon’s style has often been described as pastoral but percussionist Trilok Gurtu’s work gave the music a harder edge. The arrangements successfully aimed for a seamless weave, where individual turns in the spotlight were less featured solos than sections of the compositions where one member took the lead.

The improvisational skills of Oregon’s members--particularly Paul McCandless on reeds and Ralph Towner on acoustic guitar--continues to distinguish it.

Ross Traut (guitar) and Steve Rodby (bass) opened the show.