JAZZ REVIEW : Handy’s Sax Vocabulary: Singing Highs and Rich Lows

Saxophonist John Handy could have retired on the strength of his play for Charles Mingus’ 1959 recording of “Better Git It in Your Soul” and still assured himself a place in jazz history. His rousing, joyful solo for Mingus’ revival-hall-styled anthem was smooth and exciting, technically sophisticated yet without the stuffiness that sometimes cramps musicians of exceptional ability.

The same can be said of his delivery Tuesday at Catalina Bar & Grill some 35 years later. Despite the fact that he was working with a hastily assembled trio of backup musicians, Handy showed that he has not only retained the chops that earned him a spot on Mingus’ landmark session but has expanded his tonal vocabulary to include bright, singing high notes, gravelly trombone-like mid-range tones and a rich reverberating low end.

Handy was scheduled to open this six-day run fronting his octet that includes string-vocal trio Class. But, as he announced from the stage to a tiny audience, one of the key members of the string trio underwent emergency surgery, and Handy decided to go it alone.

All the better. The quartet setting highlighted his play and he responded impressively, albeit on an uninspired set of well-worn tunes. His alto improvisations on “What Is This Thing Called Love” pulled and twisted at the famous melody, while stretching its harmonic content with offbeat, dissonant phrases and sprint-quick circular figures. On tenor, he emphasized the blues in “Blue Monk,” then got warm and cozy with “Body and Soul.”

While the ensemble play was loose and filled with missteps, the group began to mesh as the set progressed. Pianist Larry Nash was especially soulful during “Blue Monk,” backed by bassist James Leary’s gut-bucket strums. Drummer Quentin Dennard’s tough exchanges with Handy during “A Night in Tunisia” fired the saxophonist to progressively higher peaks.

Vocalist Diane Witherspoon came out of the audience to perform “I Thought About You” and “What a Difference a Day Makes” in tones that recalled Dinah Washington. Each day will make a difference to the Handy quartet as the four men become more familiar with each other.

* John Handy quartet plays Catalina Bar & Grill, 1640 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, tonight through Sunday, 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. $12, Thursday, Sunday. $15. Friday-Saturday. (213) 466-2210.