JAZZ REVIEW : Kuhn Mines Vein of Standards

Steve Kuhn, the New York pianist whose playing has encompassed a wide range of jazz styles, stuck close to be-bop at the Catalina Bar & Grill where he began a six-night stand Tuesday night.

Working with bassist Buster Williams and drummer Al Foster, Kuhn’s opening set at the Hollywood club included four standards from the jazz repertoire, each serving to show the pianist’s fine technique and his extraordinary interpretive abilities.

“There Is No Great Love” started the set at an easily paced sling tempo with Kuhn taking a simple, economical approach to the melody, and drummer Foster, playing deftly with wire brushes, caressing the rhythm. Bassist Williams steadfastly walked through the piece, taking an inspired solo that maintained the rhythmic intensity of the tune.

As he would do on the following “Four,” by Miles Davis, and the closing Tadd Dameron tune, “Tadd’s Delight,” Kuhn built excitement into the piece by increasing the frequency of melodic notes and thickening the harmonic texture. In each outing, bits of melody emerged as reference points to the tune, and in a couple of instances, Kuhn recalled the familiar Count Basie closing motif.

Kuhn offered one ballad during his opening set. His reading of Duke Ellington’s “In a Sentimental Mood” was lyrical and tender, initially impressionistic a la Debussy. Anchoring the tune with a wide-voiced harmonic structure, Kuhn’s right hand explored the melody with gentle sensitivity. Again, bassist Williams’ steadfast accompaniment was succinct, and drummer Foster amazed with his deft brushwork.

A veteran of groups led by Kenny Dorham, Stan Getz, Art Farmer and Sheila Jordan, the 51-year-old Kuhn showed himself to be one of the better players mining the rich vein of jazz standards. Sadly, few people took advantage of his rare Southland appearance Tuesday. Presumably, he will be playing to the full houses he deserves come Sunday, his closing night.