‘Complete’ Shearing Has Some Large Gaps

The evening was billed as “The Complete George Shearing.” But some sides of the 77-year-old, London-born pianist’s career were given short shrift Saturday at the Irvine Barclay Theatre.

Shearing, whose piano-guitar-vibraphone quintet was a sensation beginning in 1949, has reformed that group, albeit with a new generation of players, the first time in 18 years he has played in such a format. Despite the retrospective nature of the billing, it was this group that spent nearly the entire concert on stage.

Brushed over quickly were Shearing’s early days as a solo act. Shearing, who throughout his career has continued to be an inventive soloist of wit and passion, played alone only on the Meade Lux Lewis boogie, “Honky Tonk Train Blues” and the standard “So in Love.” Though both were fine examples of his unique ability to guide a tune through a number of rhythmic and mood changes, it left one wanting more.

From there the pianist quickly brought on the other members of the quintet, featuring each one in individual numbers. The effect of having so many other musicians on stage seemed to rein in the pianist’s spontaneity, and he never again reached the high level of performance on display in his solo numbers.

The lush, translucent sound of the guitar-vibraphone-piano mix, heard in startling clarity in a tape-recorded segment that introduced the pianist, was diminished in performance, with Steve Nelson’s vibes often invisible in the sonic mix. Only near the close of the program when Shearing aired his signature piece “Lullaby of Birdland” did all three instruments become audible, giving the popular piece additional impact.

While Shearing and the group gave emotionally charged readings of “East of the Sun (West of the Moon)” and Bill Evans’ “Very Early,” too little of the pianist’s wit and wisdom was revealed. More solo pieces and duo numbers with longtime bassist Neil Swainson would complete this otherwise fine program from the distinguished keyboardist.

* “The Complete George Shearing” plays the Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale, Wednesday, 8 p.m. $29.50 and $22.50. (818) 243-2611.