Jazz : Song Choices Limit Duo at Lunaria’s

Lunaria’s, one of the more attractive of the new jazz supper clubs (on Santa Monica Boulevard at Beverly Glen), played host over the weekend to a pair of recent Southland settlers, Steve Wilkerson and his wife, the singer Andrea Baker.

Had he not been based for many years in Tulsa, Okla., Wilkerson by now might have been hailed by critics as one of the ruling masters of the tenor saxophone. As he made clear in a skittering volley of choruses on “Lester Leaps In,” he can build extraordinary tension and excitement; however, his second number, “In a Sentimental Mood,” displayed the subtlety and soul of which he is no less capable.

Wilkerson’s rhythm team provided the appropriate impetus, with Tad Weed’s piano revealing another underrated post-bop talent, fortified by the bass and drums of David Stone and Ralph Penland.

For the last half of the set, Andrea Baker was featured in a group of songs that just missed the mark, due to a combination of factors: The four songs were all tales told a thousand times, she seemed a little nervous making her Los Angeles debut, and two numbers included the kind of 1940s scatting that now sounds nearly a little quaint. Her one ballad “You’ve Changed,” came closest to hinting at the personal charm she has shown on records.

A more original repertory seems essential to both Wilkerson and Baker. There is more to life than the over-traveled “A Train” and “How High the Moon.” Next time, let them show what life is like on Jupiter or Mars.