Jazz Review : Spirited Swing by Crawford, McGriff in Basie Ballroom

Well into their third year as a double-bill, alto saxophonist Hank Crawford and organist Jimmy McGriff blew into town Tuesday evening for a one-night stand at the Count Basie Ballroom at the Compton Lazben Hotel.

Playing an early, free show for about 300 senior citizens, the duo, accompanied by guitarist Bob DeVos and drummer John (Ironman) Harris, strayed from their blues-laden path to serve a handsome set that included a pair of standards (three, actually, if you consider “America, the Beautiful” a standard) a ballad and a crowd-pleasing spiritual. Only one blues, “All Right, OK, You Win,” was included.

Though encumbered by ill-suited acoustics that rendered much of the music muddled and Crawford’s announcements unintelligible, the quartet managed to convey its swing message with spirit.

An opening “They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” swung gently and most pleased the handful of dancers who took to the mid-room dance floor. An unrecognized ballad followed, with Crawford exploring neatly the range of the alto saxophone in a series of solo choruses.

McGriff was at his best on the blues, though both his comping and brief solo statements were effective on a lengthy rendition of “Satin Doll.” Though the tune should have been retired from the jazz repertoire 20 years ago, it nonetheless provided a good vehicle for guitarist DeVos, a capable player whose solos were well-thought and superbly executed.

Drummer Harris kept time like a fine Swiss watch and showed himself a team player with his attention to dynamics.

“America, the Beautiful” was given too funky a rhythmic feel to capture the anthem’s innate soulfulness, but it worked in giving way to “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a glorious spiritual whose first few notes were inspired enough to lift each of the attendees to sing.