JAZZ REVIEW : Black/Note Shows Off Its Personal Touch at Atlas Bar

The Atlas Bar & Grill, near the Wiltern Theatre on Wilshire Boulevard, has been home base every Tuesday since May for the band Black/Note.

Organized in 1990, this Los Angeles-based group is true to the principles of post-bop acoustic jazz. Much of the repertoire consists of original works by Mark Shelby, the bassist and leader, or by the 23-year-old alto saxophonist James Mahone. The show caught Tuesday evening, however, was devoted mainly to standards, all played with the quintet’s personal touch.

Mahone brings his superb technique to bear on the more demanding tempos, such as “Cherokee,” but he is no less capable of compelling lyricism, well displayed on “You Don’t Know What Love Is” and on Benny Carter’s “When Lights Are Low.”

Aaron Flagg’s trumpet works well with Mahone in the neatly crafted ensembles, but as a soloist he tends to run out of ideas, and at times seemed unfamiliar with the chord structure of the tunes.

Ark Sano, the pianist, displayed a diversity of ideas that ranged from ingenious chording to rapid single-note lines. The management should show more respect for him by taking the trouble to tune the piano.

Shelby, a subtle bassist, contented himself with a supportive role throughout. Willie Jones III on drums also stayed largely in the background except for the predictable solo toward the end of the set.

Black/Note, which also has worked often at Marla’s, will be heard tonight at Snooker’s in Los Angeles. The Tuesday-night gigs at the Atlas will continue indefinitely.