Master Organist McGriff Brings His Blues to Elario’s

Until you’ve heard organist Jimmy McGriff’s version, you haven’t really heard a song’s full potential.

The proof is McGriff’s new album, “You Ought to Think About Me.” Although, at times, his bluesy organ playing unfortunately is buried behind a wall of horns, he shines on a pair of tunes that already have chalked up more than their share of mileage: “America the Beautiful” and “Over the Rainbow.”

Blues organ purists who would rather hear McGriff raw and live, without brassy distractions, will get their chance this Wednesday through Sunday nights at Elario’s.

McGriff is one of the few masters of the Hammond B-3 organ, an instrument that requires a lot of concentration. Not only does McGriff work the keyboard with both hands, but he uses foot pedals to add bass lines and control the volume.

“That’s why you don’t hear too many (blues) organ players,” said McGriff. “It’s like drumming--both hands and both feet are doing something. Coordination is very important.”

With McGriff at the controls, the B-3 soars. His playing is so smooth, the music sounds simple. But don’t be fooled. His solos are melodious, carefully crafted explorations of a song’s themes. McGriff gracefully coaxes swelling chords and nimble right-hand runs from the keys as the organ’s speaker sprays out the music with a pulsing tremolo.

The first time McGriff encountered a Hammond was in the 1950s, when organist Richard (Groove) Holmes gave him a crash course so McGriff could play a wedding in Philadelphia.

“It took time to warm up to it,” McGriff recalled. “I was originally an upright bass player. I watched what Groove was doing, and when I played my sister’s wedding, people were surprised I knew anything about it.”

Since the 1950s, McGriff has recorded several albums as a leader, and others with blues and jazz greats such as Holmes, saxophonist Hank Crawford and late singer Junior Parker.

Recently, he has been more visible than ever. Besides keeping a hectic domestic and foreign touring schedule, McGriff plays on the soundtrack for “Tune In Tomorrow,” a movie starring Peter Falk released late last year, and appears in a new video by gospel singer Tramaine Hawkins. He also shows up on a new all-star album titled “Rhythm Stick” for the CTI label, on two tunes with Art Farmer, Benny Golson, Phil Woods, Jon Faddis and other greats.

Shows at Elario’s start at 8:30 and 10:30 on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday nights, and 9, 10:30 and midnight Friday and Saturday nights. Besides McGriff, the group includes saxophonist Curtis Peagler, guitarist Terry Evans and drummer Roy McCurdy.

Arvella Murray knew she could sing, but a shaky marriage and her busy career as a personnel manager for the La Jolla branch of NCR stalled her career.

With marriage behind her, Oklahoma-born Murray, a San Diegan for 12 years, has been moonlighting with a vengeance. She plays the B St. Cafe in downtown San Diego this Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. She also plans to record a single during the next few weeks, followed this spring by a demo CD.

The feedback she’s received already from friends and fans gives her confidence.

“I know exactly what I’m going to do,” Murray said. “I have the name for my album and the concept (she wouldn’t spill the beans). And I decided that as long as I’m going to do it, I might as well get a Grammy.”

Murray admires the music of Aretha Franklin, Anita Baker and Nancy Wilson.

“I really admire Nancy Wilson, especially her phrasing,” said Murray, who plays a mix of Baker and Franklin covers, jazz standards and her own originals with the five musicians who accompany her in Arvella & Co.

Murray’s group includes reedman Bruce Babad, guitarist Chris Morante, bassist Lynn Copeland, drummer Anthony (H.B.) Robison and keyboardist Kevin Flournoy, who has been replaced by Hopie Bronson while Flournoy rehearses as part of the jazz band for the San Diego Repertory Theatre’s premiere production of “The Life and Times of Bumpy Johnson.”

Meanwhile, she’ll be devoting all of her spare time to her CD project. She has written 12 original songs, and Flournoy is slated to produce.

Dates aren’t set yet, but Murray will return to the B St. Cafe in February. She also plans to play Chuck’s Steakhouse in La Jolla in March. Music at the B St. starts at 7:30 Thursday night, and at 9:30 Friday and Saturday nights.

RIFFS: Apparently San Diegans aren’t very interested in Big Band music. The third annual Big Band Jamboree at the San Diego Sports Arena on Jan. 13, featuring the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, drew a crowd of only 931, down from 1,230 last year. The event lost money and probably won’t be repeated next year. . . .

Confetti, the Mission Valley night club, replaces the Hilton Hotel on Mission Bay as the Friday night stop on KIFM’s Lites Out club circuit beginning Feb. 1. Club owners plan to book nationally known light jazz acts for the first three Fridays, possibly including Hiroshima. . . .

Pianist Barry Harris drew a paying crowd of 230 to the Lyceum Stage Theater downtown Jan. 12. Harris opened by asking the audience to shout out four numbers. Using a system of translating numbers to notes, he spontaneously crafted a tune around the notes, dubbing it “San Diego.” Harris also announced the winner of his annual “Barry Award” for jazz mastery. This year, it went to pianist Jimmy Rowles, who played All That Jazz in Rancho Bernardo last November. Harris was re-united for the show with San Diego saxophonist Charles McPherson, a onetime protege. . . .

Guitarist Robert Conti joins flutist Holly Hofmann and pianist Bob Hamilton at the Horton Grand Hotel in downtown San Diego this Friday and Saturday nights at 8:30. . . .

Versatile saxman Daniel Jackson shifts to solo piano for the Sunday 10-to-2 brunches at Croce’s in downtown San Diego through January. . . .

Singer Cath Eckert works Wednesday nights from 5:30 to 9:30 through January at the U.S. Grant Hotel Lounge downtown, accompanied by bassist Chris Conner and pianist Mike Wofford. . . .

Fluegelhorn player Freddie Hubbard is the main attraction on KPBS-TV’s “Club Date” jazz program Saturday night at 8:30, repeating Monday afternoon at 1:30.