JAZZ REVIEW : Marsalis Provides a Lesson in Blues

Branford Marsalis didn’t tell his audience Saturday night at Segerstrom Hall of the Orange County Performing Arts Center that he was conducting a survey class called “Blues 101,” but he might as well have.

The heralded saxophonist/ “Tonight Show” bandleader led his entourage through half a dozen styles in the classic genre in a concert that was generally captivating. The styles ranged from the ‘20s-’30s field holler folk approach of Robert Johnson to modern urban numbers (T-Bone Walker’s “Stormy Monday”) and a pair of state-of-the-art contemporary jazz interpretations.

The leader, his quartet and special guests Russell Malone on guitar and singer Linda Hopkins were undaunted by the artistic challenges posed by such an odyssey.

The only problem spots were two uninvolving Hopkins numbers--”Story Monday” and “Meet Me With Your Black Drawers On.” Nonetheless, the veteran singer--her voice shining like a klieg light--redeemed herself on a spirited version of a gospel-blues blend called “The Road You Choose.”

The evening’s “Blues in C,” a today-ish free-for-all that still swung handily, found Marsalis mixing restrained ideas with spontaneous gushes, while on “St. Louis Blues” he emitted a full, ripe soprano sax tone that recalled the great Sidney Bechet.

Outstanding pianist Kenny Kirkland scored with several solos, and his accompaniments, aided with verve by bassist Bob Hurst and drummer Jeff Watts, always fit the mood of the number at hand. Malone, who plays Tuesday with his trio at Lunaria in West Los Angeles, proved adept in both classic and current blues modes.