JAZZ REVIEW : Jamal Forms Stellar Trio

The Ahmad Jamal Trio that opened Tuesday at Catalina was not the same unit the pianist has presented on previous visits. It did have, however, one characteristic in common with the earlier groups--unity.

Three musicians do not necessarily a trio make. The requirements for the kind of unity this trio, which closes Sunday, exhibits are mutual respect, carefully worked out routines and the ability to bring them to life in arrangements that do justice to the material.

With drummer Yoron Israel and brilliant Los Angeles bassist John Heard, Jamal departed Tuesday from his frequent policy of concentrating on original works. However, so ingenious were the changes in mood, tempo, structure and intensity that such 1950s tunes as “Blue Gardenia” and Randy Weston’s “Hi Fly” were ornamented, almost disguised. At one point Jamal bit off thick chunks of chords, then eased into a boppish 4/4 interlude before building to a dramatic climax.

One remarkable number, which became a virtual suite, first hinted at the verse of 1927’s “Chloe.” A little later the resemblance vanished, then returned periodically. Jamal then exploded into the better-known chorus of what was indeed “Chloe,” except that in this garb she was a new and dazzling creature.

Drummer Israel was superbly supportive, whether playing mallets on Bill Adams’ “Your Story” or sticks in “Chloe.” He was also featured, perhaps a little too extensively, on two numbers. Bassist Heard clearly is as comfortable in this intimate setting as he was in the Count Basie band.