JAZZ REVIEW : Bellson Leads All-Star Quintet

Because most of Louie Bellson’s Los Angeles appearances are made at the helm of a full orchestra, his six-day stand this week at Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood is something special, with the virtuosic drummer leading an all-star quintet.

For his front line he wisely chose Pete Christlieb, whose tenor saxophone has been a vocal point of the larger Bellson groups since 1967, and trumpeter Conte Candoli, who like Christlieb is moonlighting from the “Tonight Show.”

Their opener was the old Charlie Parker riff “Now’s the Time,” not the most demanding of themes, but a good enough point of departure for some brisk blues blowing by all hands.

It was an opportunity to appreciate Bellson’s rhythm section partners: Andy Simpkins, a bass player with phenomenal technique and ideas to spare, and Frank Strazzeri, one of the most dependable of the Southland’s bop-based pianists.

A muted Candoli tackled “Darn That Dream” with appropriate delicacy, after which all five men dealt with the demanding tempo of “Shaw Nuff,” a tune that virtually launched the be-bop era. Christlieb and Candoli met the challenge of the speedway pace, limning the tricky melody as if joined at the chops. Bellson used this as his own showcase in a fiery finale to the set, which he dedicated to the memory of Art Blakey.