Top Bassist Patitucci Leaves Elektric Band for Solo Work

Fresh off a tour with Chick Corea’s Elektric Band, which played Sound FX in San Diego earlier this month, bassist John Patitucci and saxman Eric Marienthal return for three nights at the Jazz Note (860 Garnet Ave., above Diego’s restaurant) in Pacific Beach this week.

Billed as the Eric Marienthal Band, the group will also include pianist John Beasley and drummer Tom Brechtlien.

After seven years with the Elektric Band, Patitucci played his final show with the group in San Luis Obispo two weeks ago, leaving to pursue solo projects.

Unlike earlier split-ups of Corea bands (to this day, guitarist Al Di Meola resents the breakup of Return to Forever), this parting is cordial.

“I need time off from the traveling, time at home to compose and to do other projects,” Patitucci said. “There was no conflict. It’s more of a career extension, that’s the way Chick and I are looking at it. I’ll still be doing the Akoustic Band stuff (with Corea).”

Through three solo albums and six with Corea’s Elektric Band, Patitucci, 31, has gained wide popular and critical acclaim for his innovative work on the unusual electric six-string bass.

“The first guy to really play one was Anthony Jackson during the 1970s,” he said. During those years, Jackson played and recorded with Corea, Al Di Meola, Paul Simon and Chaka Khan, among others.

Jackson convinced a guitar manufacturer to produce the unusual instrument, which adds two extra strings to the standard four-string bass arrangement--a low B on top, and a high C on the bottom. Patitucci has helped Yamaha develop the six-string basses he plays, which are now available to the public. Among other bassists who have taken up the instrument are former San Diegan Nathan East, a member of Eric Clapton’s band.

“It gives me more flexibility,” Patitucci said of his high-powered ax. “In my accompanying role, it gives me added foundational notes. If I get a chance to solo, the high string enables me to get up top over the band, and any melodies I play come through clearly.”

With the help of his six-string, Patitucci has transformed the bass into a versatile melodic instrument, suited to guitar-style solos, even a rendition of a Bach “Prelude” to be included on his fourth solo recording, “The Heart of the Bass,” due for release next summer.

Patitucci remains under contract with GRP, the huge pop-jazz label, but his new album will be released on Stretch Records, a GRP subsidiary headed by Corea and his manager, Ron Moss.

Patitucci will have both his six-string electric and acoustic basses in tow this weekend. Material will include originals by both Patitucci and Marienthal.

Jimmy Earl, who has played with the Crusaders, Larry Carlton and Stanley Clarke, will fill Patitucci’s bass slot in the Elektric Band.

Showtimes this week at the Jazz Note are 8 and 10 Friday and Saturday nights, 7 and 9 Sunday night.

Vocalist/guitarist Kendra Shank, 32, a graduate of Pt. Loma High School who now calls Seattle home, makes her local jazz debut Saturday night at the Horton Grand Hotel.

Shank, an ex-folkie, had her first religious jazz experience in 1980, when a friend put her onto Billie Holiday. But Shank didn’t pursue jazz full bore until 1988.

Now seeking a recording deal with her demo tape, Shank is known for her intelligent make-overs of jazz standards, and for unearthing lesser-known gems by musicians such as Bob Dorough (who played Elario’s last week) and Red Mitchell.

Shank sings “How High The Moon” as a Brazilian samba, and she does a Latin-ized version of “All The Things You Are.” She considers herself primarily a vocalist, and plays acoustic guitar only occasionally, mostly on Brazilian tunes.

As a broke 19-year-old exploring Paris, Shank, discovered her vocation by accident.

“My money got low so I stepped out on the street and started singing for change, and that’s when I realized I enjoy playing for people,” said Shank, who passed the hat to the tune of $20 that first time out.

Shank grew up in a musical family. Her father was head of the drama department at UC Davis (she was born in Davis), and her mother acted in musical theater.

“She used to sing me torch songs as lullabies when I was 3,” Shank recalled. “She was listening to Helen Morgan and Keely Smith and Lainie Kazan.”

Looking for an added career boost, Shank may sign for representation with San Diego jazz agent Tony Sidotti, who also represents legendary San Diego-based guitarist Barney Kessel and a growing roster of jazz musicians.

Shank’s Saturday night performance at the Horton Grand begins at 8:30. She’ll be joined by guitarist Peter Sprague, bassist Bob Magnusson and flutist Holly Hofmann. (Sprague, Magnusson and Hofmann will also appear Friday night, sans Shank.)

RIFFS: Thursday night’s benefit for KSDS-FM (88.3) at the Jazz Note will feature an all-star band: Charles McPherson, Peter Sprague, Jeff Littleton, Eric Reed--plus probable special guest Freddie Hubbard, who wants to make up for a Jazz Note date he canceled on short notice in November. . . . Pop icons can get anything played on the radio. KIFM is airing rock guitar hero Stevie Ray Vaughan’s version of jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell’s song “Chitlins Con Carne,” and pop singer Natalie Cole’s jazzy rendition of “Route 66,” made famous by her father, Nat King Cole. Nice to hear some real jazz, but it’s unfortunate the station doesn’t also air Burrell’s version of his song, or any of Nat Cole’s many versions of “Route 66.” You may, however, find the authentic versions on KIFM’s Sunday 10-to-midnight “Jazz Show,” hosted by Ron Galon.

CRITIC’S CHOICE: TUESDAY’S JAZZ JAM IN BONSALL TO END TONIGHT

For a number of veteran San Diego County jazz players, Tuesday nights at San Luis Rey Downs Country Club in Bonsall offered a rare, regular opportunity to play straight-ahead jazz in North County. Since Tuesday night jazz began in August, 1990, there have been a few slow nights, but crowds of from 60 to 130 have shown up to hear top musicians such as saxophonist Anthony Ortega, the Mellotones, drummer Jack Sperling (of Les Brown’s Big Band) and South Market Street.

Now, club management has decided to change the music policy. Tonight’s all-star jazz jam, featuring Ortega and a host of other top locals, will serve as the Tuesday night swan song.

After tonight, Tuesdays will be devoted to more serene ballroom dancing music instead of swinging, straight-ahead jazz. The club will continue to present jazz on Friday and Saturday nights. Tonight’s farewell begins at 6:30.