WEEKEND REVIEWS : Pop and Jazz : Maupin Gets Museum Series Off to Fine Start

Bennie Maupin, the tenor saxophonist who came to prominence in the Miles Davis “Bitches Brew” album and with a Herbie Hancock group, made a welcome return to leader status Friday in the first of a series of free concerts at the outdoor Center Court of the Los Angeles County Museum.

During much of the first set, Maupin was in a relatively restrained mood, yet he brought emotional intensity to such works as Kenny Dorham’s “Blue Bossa.” During the Miles Davis composition “All Blues,” he yielded at one point to Louie Spears for the latter’s inventive bowed bass solo.

Maupin selects his repertoire mainly from Duke Ellington (“In a Sentimental Mood” and “Sophisticated Lady”) and at times from works by his pianist, Dwight Dickerson, whose “Bing Bang Boom” generated excitement in a long and arduous workout. Dickerson managed well with an upright acoustic piano, occasionally doubling on an electric keyboard.

For one number in the second set, Maupin switched to the saxello, a soprano sax variant; the horn was given to him by John Coltrane. Drummer Kenny Elliott furnished a fine undertow to a bristling “Blue Monk,” played at almost twice the usual tempo.

Maupin will use a different group in the five weekly appearances that run through July 30.