Jazz Reviews : Sunday in the Park With the Ladies--but Not Quite

The Ladies of Jazz. An interesting idea for a concert--especially on a pleasant Sunday afternoon in Barnsdall Park. And free, at that.

Sponsored by the International Assn. of Jazz Appreciation, it was the centerpiece in a group of three programs described as the second annual Los Angeles International Jazz Festival.

Things didn’t work out quite as advertised, however. Trumpeter/singer Clora Bryant, for example, opened the show backed by an all-male ensemble. Not another female on stage. The first two numbers, excerpts from a suite dedicated to Dizzy Gillespie, allowed plenty of space for Bryant’s trumpeting. Curiously, it resonated with stronger echoes of Roy Eldridge than Gillespie. Bryant also sang effectively, especially on another original, “Ain’t No Use.”

Rose Gales & Velvet Jazz were the only performers to fulfill the promise of the concert’s title. Pianist Gales played a conservative role in a strong rhythm section that also included bassist Leslie Baker, drummer Andrea Brown and percussionist Elmira. But the group’s two upfront players--violinist Karen Briggs and guitarist Lady Mac--were the stars of the day, stealing the thunder from the musicians of both sexes.

Lady Mac ripped off a series of solos that blazed with images of Jimi Hendrix and Kevin Eubanks. Briggs was even more arresting. A fine technician, she moved beyond an obvious Coltrane influence into a soaring originality that suggested the emergence of a potential world class jazz star.

As the concert wound toward its close, the “Ladies of Jazz” premise disappeared entirely with the arrival of a bland, all-male fusion band led by saxophonist Wayne Wayne. Two numbers later they were joined by blues vocalist Barbara Morrison. Her first songs, “My Funny Valentine” and “Don’t Explain,” revealed a sweet voice and a convincing jazz rhythmic sense. But Morrison’s move into a group of rhythm and blues numbers brought an effective end to the jazz proceedings for the day.

In the other programs of the Second Annual Los Angeles International Jazz Festival, Larry Gales, Buster Cooper and Sonny Craver were featured on Saturday, and Cedar Walton, Charles McPherson, Bill Henderson and the Buddy Collette Band showcased the final concert Sunday night.