JAZZ REVIEW : Baker Serves Up a Mediocre Set at Le Cafe

Drummer Michael Baker’s appearance leading a trio Tuesday night at Le Cafe in Sherman Oaks had more to do with his booking the gig than it did with his emergence as a leader.

A sideman on the local jazz scene, Baker, albeit a capable player, maintained his sideman role in a setting dominated by pianist Billy Childs and bolstered by bassist Reggie Hamilton. While it was Baker who soloed the most and announced the tunes, four of the seven tunes served up during the group’s opening set were from Childs’ pen; the remaining three included a rather disjointed piece by Herbie Hancock and a pair of vocals from the pop bag.

As a vocalist, Baker is undistinguished and indistinctive. Indeed, his cover of Leon Russell’s “This Masquerade” was but a duplication of George Benson’s mega-hit--the only difference coming during a last verse in which Baker forgot the lyrics. Likewise, his rendition of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Goin’ On” was but a copy that left one longing for the original.

The set started out with Childs’ “Mt. Olympus,” a funky piece composed of brief snippets of melody. Baker’s insistent afterbeats and Hamilton’s booming electric bass obscured the piano, rendering the piece unmemorable. Decibel problems plagued the Hancock piece as well.

After the vocal excursions, the trio got down to some swing business with an attractive “Room 101,” again from Childs. “Quiet Girl,” another of the pianist’s compositions, was a dark and moody ballad, with Childs lending a fugue-like quality to the lovely work. His solos were inspired and both Baker and Hamilton maintained a much-needed low profile.

The group’s collective profile became much higher during “Twilight Is Upon Us,” a jazz-rock tune whose dramatic introduction soon gave away to a plodding rhythm and thunderous din.

Baker, who availed himself of every opportunity to solo, will have to learn that leadership requires more than displaying an ability to dominate instrumentally. The gig could have belonged to Billy Childs, but he would have made more musical changes.