MUSIC : Multitalented and in Big Demand : Ray Pizzi, who stays busy doing film and TV tracks, still finds time to improvise.

They’re still calling Ray Pizzi.

In spite of music-industry slowdowns that have af fected the careers of many respected players, the versatile, engaging saxophonist, flutist and bassoonist remains active on film and TV soundtracks. He’s now being heard as a soloist on Alan Silvestri’s score for the Sylvester Stallone film, “Judge Dredd,” making raucous screeches with the “hose-oon.”

“Hose-oon”?

Pizzi devised the instrument, if you can call it that. Two years ago, the reed man was in San Francisco, recording Silvestri’s score for “Predator 2.” His bassoon was featured as the “heart and soul” of the creature that the film is named after.

“At one point, Alan wanted me to have the bassoon make an ugly sound,” says Pizzi, 52, a native of Everett, Mass., who lives in Van Nuys with his wife of 26 years, Marilyn. “But the bassoon doesn’t make ugly sounds. They come out funny. I was at a loss for what to do until I saw a hose in the garden at my hotel. I cut off a section of it, taped my bassoon double reed to it, and there was the “hose-oon.”

Pizzi, who has long borne the nickname “Pizza Man,” has performed in the scores of more than 100 films. He was given the prestigious Emeritus award by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in 1984 for his film and TV contributions.

He’s also been featured on two works for symphonic orchestras: Henry Mancini’s “Piece for Jazz Bassoon and Orchestra,” premiered in 1984 with the New American Orchestra; and Frederick Myrow’s “Frontiers,” which was debuted by the Los Angeles Philharmonic in May, 1994, and in which Pizzi played alto sax. He characterized his work with Mancini, who died in June, 1994, as “25 years of thrills.”

A devoted jazz man, Pizzi constantly seeks opportunities to improvise, and he’s at the Coffee Junction in Tarzana each Friday--unless he’s on one of his thrice-yearly tours to Germany--with pianist Paul Astin. The duo works tonight, playing everything from originals to classics. Pizzi returns Sunday with his Wind Syndicate trio.

The woodwind artist relishes the intimacy and interplay that comes with performing with Astin, as well as the necessity of paring things down, musically. “It’s knowing what to leave out that’s important. I think that’s the essence of any artistic awareness,” Pizzi says.

Pizzi formed the Wind Syndicate, which features clarinetist Mort Lewis and flutist Miriam Clarke, eight years ago. It plays a variety of original material from jazz to classical. By writing for the trio, Pizzi says, he’s honed his composing skills, again trying to deliver the most with the least. “Getting it all said with just three notes is one of the hardest things in music,” he says.

Sharon Benson, co-owner of the Coffee Junction with Linda Sherlin, says Pizzi brings something very special to her room. “We’re honored and excited that a person of Ray’s caliber, one of the greats, would enjoy playing here,” Benson says.

Pizzi grew up in the Boston area, and later he taught in public schools in Randolph, Mass.

He has recently returned to education on an informal basis, playing with trumpeter Bobby Rodriguez’s Hispanic Musicians’ Assn. big band in Los Angeles area elementary and secondary schools.

“Since there are so few programs for music in schools, it’s up to musicians to give something back by informing these kids about what’s available, musically,” he says.

WHERE AND WHEN

What: Ray Pizzi plays duos with pianist Paul Astin.

Location: Coffee Junction, 19221 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana.

Hours: 8 and 11 tonight (and most Fridays).

Price: No cover, one-drink minimum per set.

Call: (818) 342-3405.

Also: Ray Pizzi plays with the Wind Syndicate from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday.