JAZZ REVIEW : Bass Virtuoso Patitucci Should Let Up on Pedal

Bass player John Patitucci is the musical equivalent of a Porsche: an incredibly fast, technically awesome machine capable of handling a variety of terrain with aplomb.

Yet, as his opening set Wednesday night at Elario’s proved, a high-tech machine makes it easy to race through beautiful terrain without pausing to enjoy the scenery. Often, Patitucci didn’t leave sufficient space between his prodigious bursts on his six-string instrument to let the capacity crowd of 120 fully appreciate them.

The 30-year-old Wunderkind , who made his initial mark with keyboardist Chick Corea’s Elektric Band, is appearing nightly through Sunday, with a crack band that includes former Weather Report drummer Alex Acuna, Steve Tavaglione on tenor sax and EWI (electronic wind instrument), and John Beasley on keyboards and synthesizer.

The band proved to be the ideal setting for Patitucci and his unusual bass, which covers a range from deep, rumbling lows to highs that cross into guitar territory. With Beasley occasionally handling bass parts on synthesizer, Patitucci was free to roam his instrument’s broad neck, producing melodic inventions with amazing speed and fluidity.

The group opened with “On the Corner” from Patitucci’s album by the same name, a fast-paced tune that resembles some of the 1980s music made by trumpeter Miles Davis. Patitucci has the snapping, popping funk sound down

pat, and he alternated between anchoring the bottom and producing incredibly fast guitar-like lines.

On the EWI, Tavaglione ranged from the wail of a soprano sax to a bluesy harmonica sound.

The lazy-tempoed “Searching Finding” found Patitucci and Tavaglione doubling up on sections of catchy signature melody, with band members trading solos in between.

“Peace and Quiet Time” provided some slower, romantic moments, with Tavaglione and Patitucci again doubling on the melody, this time with a moody, minor sound reminiscent of the Yellowjackets or Weather Report.

Patitucci’s playing was especially delicate here. He used a combination of finger picking and wavering vibrato to produce a full sound well-suited to this ballad, as Acuna drove the tune with lightening flourishes on cymbals.

The remainder of the set came mostly from Patitucci’s third album, “Sketchbook,” released this year.

Tavaglione’s EWI shone on “Scophile,” opening the tune with deep-fathomed blasts that sounded like the sound track from a documentary on whales, proceeding to screaming, guitar-like licks on this tribute to guitarist John Scofield.

As if his mastery of six-string bass isn’t enough, Patitucci hoisted an acoustic bass for the set’s last two tunes, going solo for the rhythmically driving “Backwoods,” joining the band again to close the set with “ ‘Trane.” On the larger, more cumbersome instrument, he didn’t lose a step.

Unquestionably, Patitucci is the rising young lion of electric bass guitar, and you won’t find him in a tighter band than this one.

But now that he has achieved phenomenal technical prowess, a little restraint would heighten the impact of his playing. With chops like his, there is no need for excessive engine revving.

He needs to remember that it’s nice to mix high-speed joy rides with scenic Sunday drives.

Patitucci continues at Elario’s through Sunday. Shows tonight and Saturday are at 9, 10:30 and midnight. Tickets are $7.50. On Sunday, shows are at 8:30 and 10:30, and tickets are $5.