JAZZ REVIEW : Patitucci Slows His Flying Fingers for a Thoughtful Set

Think John Patitucci and contemporary fusion jazz comes to mind--fingers flying quicker than the eye can see across his six-string bass. And with considerable justification. For the last few years Patitucci has been, via his work with Chick Corea as well as his own groups, one of the major figures in electric contemporary jazz.

But for this week, at least, his musical persona is being pleasantly modified. In the opening set of a six-night run at Catalina Bar & Grill on Tuesday, Patitucci indicated a willingness to bring an unexpectedly thoughtful and melodic quality to his music.

The program reflected the temper of his current recording, “Mistura Fina” and was at its best when he was performing tunes from it. The inclusion of Brazilian guitarist-singer Kleber Jorge provided a modifying touch, even when there were some clear differences of intonation between his guitar and Patitucci’s bass. Jorge’s vocals on pieces such as “Varadero” and his loose and easy interplay with Steve Tavaglione’s saxophone and John Beasley’s piano on “Soul Song” brought an almost communal feeling of intimate musical interaction--one shared with a highly responsive audience--to the proceedings.

Some, but not all, of Patitucci’s solos underscored the fact that he no longer needs to prove that he can play rapidly. He can certainly do that. But his finest choruses took place when he forgot the muscularity of his music and ventured, however tentatively, into its soul.

As a leader, Patitucci was most effective when he functioned as a facilitator, using his instrumental mastery to make the music happen. During those moments, the image of Patitucci as a faster-than-light technician was happily replaced by the persona of an emerging artist.

* The John Patitucci Quintet at Catalina Bar & Grill through Sunday. 1640 N. Cahuenga Blvd., (213) 466-2210. $12 cover tonight, Fri. and Sunday, $15 cover Sat., with two-drink minimum. Patitucci performs two shows nightly, at 8:30 and 10:30.