JAZZ REVIEW : George Cables Dominates Pasquale’s Reunion

Officially, Thursday night at the Jazz Bakery was a celebration of Pat (Pasquale) Senatore’s birthday, and a reunion of artists who had worked in the legendary Malibu club that bore the bassist’s name.

Unofficially, as Senatore graciously pointed out, the evening’s main honors went to pianist George Cables, who was the opening attraction at Pasquale’s in 1978 (it closed in 1983). Though nominally a sideman at the Bakery, he dominated the evening with a series of riveting performances.

Cables has technique to spare, an articulation that ranges from delicate to dynamic, and the ability to find surprising new approaches to long-familiar works. His opener, “You Stepped Out of a Dream,” started and ended in a calypso groove. “Waltz for Debby” was equally effective in 3-4 and 4-4 time.

As a composer, Cables was well represented by the beguiling “Rita” and the misterioso “Blackfoot.” On many numbers he played the first chorus unaccompanied before Senatore and drummer Carl Burnett joined in.

The assertive personality Cables established during his years with Freddie Hubbard has grown even stronger in the last few years, fortified by a keen harmonic sense and a powerful left hand that serves him well in his solo forays.

Ruth Price, who produces the shows at the Bakery and was a frequent presence at Pasquale’s, offered several vocals that displayed her perennially youthful, swinging charm. Singer Joanie Somers added her appealing sound before Cables, Pasquale and Burnett took over with Sonny Rollins’ “Doxy,” a buoyant closer for an envigorating evening.