JAZZ REVIEW : Kirk Whalum in Command

In his opening set at Birdland West on Friday, Kirk Whalum quickly laid to rest the persistent mainstream belief that contemporary jazz doesn’t swing.

The Texas-born tenor saxophonist brought a driving rhythmic surge to everything he played--from a collection of catchy originals to a closing romp through themes from “Mission Impossible,” “The Pink Panther” and “The Wizard of Oz.” A masterful showman as well as a superb improviser, he was in full control of the music, initiating interactive audience humor at one moment and storming into dramatic climaxes at the next.

Whalum’s performance made it amply clear why he has evolved from a sort of super-sideman into one of the few musically creative stars of the topical jazz that is logged on the best-seller charts and played on adult-oriented radio stations.

Unlike many of his saxophone-playing counterparts, Whalum did not restrict his playing to repetitious melodic hooks. Once past the opening statements, his soloing almost always generated the kind of improvisational energy and imagination that is too often lacking in commercially oriented contemporary jazz.

Whalum was especially well-served by his colleagues--guitarist Dwight Sills, keyboardist Rick Jackson, bassist Don Patterson and drummer Herman Matthews.