Marsalis Returns to His Roots

Offering a smorgasbord of moods from the rhapsodic and ethereal to the incendiary and hard-charging Tuesday evening at Lunaria, Branford Marsalis stepped away from his new role as the musical director of “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” and returned to his roots as a jazz saxophonist.

“It was cool for some wild stuff, but it wasn’t the best of what we do,” said Marsalis of his one-set, no-breaks, hour-and-45-minute performance.

In personal top form or not, Marsalis and his trio (bassist Robert Hurst and drummer Jeff Watts) definitely had fun during the gig--his first in an L.A.-area nightspot since taking the late-night TV post last month. The trio played to an enthusiastic crowd of 100 fans who jammed the lounge at the West Side bistro.

Playing mostly original compositions, such as “Roused About” from his latest Columbia Records album, the engaging Marsalis was a man in motion, moving his body almost as much as he moved his fingers on his saxophone. As he released streams of notes, Marsalis sometimes rocked forward and then back, sometimes turned sideways to the crowd and then faced it again, usually patting his feet furiously. Between phrases, he’d take a breath and smile.

The selections generally fell into a spur-of-the-moment, let’s-see-what-happens-next direction, which meant a frenzied climax might be followed by the softest of sounds, followed by more mayhem. To be sure, this was not always easily accessible music, but that didn’t much matter, as the energy and joy that Marsalis and his associates put into the performance were contagious.

“Part of the reasoning in taking the ‘Tonight Show’ was that Branford would have the opportunity to do his music,” said Bobby Colomby, senior vice president of creative development at Columbia Records, at a quiet point during the performance. “This,” he said, nodding toward the stage, “is his life.”

Marsalis agreed. While saying that he loves his new job, he explained that he needed to get out and play at a room like Lunaria, where he returns Tuesday with a quartet featuring pianist Kenny Kirkland, and plans to play there again. He’s also looking for other venues. “I want to play a larger room where we can drop the ticket prices (the show at Lunaria cost $18), so we can get more students to come in. I think high school students are the key to a bigger jazz scene.”

Asked what appeals to him most about “The Tonight Show,” Marsalis replied it was the opportunity to play a variety of music, from backing opera singer Marilyn Horne to playing the theme from “Laverne & Shirley” as an entrance for Penny Marshall.

More ‘Tonighters’ on the Town: Trumpeter Sal Marquez, who plays trumpet in Marsalis’ NBC band, is also active in the community jazz scene. Marquez, whose “One for Dewey” GRP Records debut will be released soon, has been playing Sunday nights at the Vine Street Bar & Grill for many weeks.

“It’s been so much fun,” Marquez said. “Kenny Kirkland is the regular pianist, though last Sunday Cedar Walton and Joe Sample both sat in for two tunes, and Frank Strazzeri and John Beasley have also played.” The sax chair alternates between Doug Webb and Jim Marentic and Hurst and Watts fill out the rhythm section.

Marquez, who also plays with Kirkland, Hurst and Watts on the Fourth of July at the Jazz Bakery, said he’s been playing a lot of standards but is planning to switch to more originals.

Critic’s Choice: Renowned deejay Chuck Niles, who turns 65 this weekend, will be the subject of a roast emceed by trumpeter-singer Jack Sheldon, from 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday in the grand salon of the Bel Age Hotel in West Hollywood. Numerous musical guests will be perform at this gratis, jovial tribute.