Mature Trumpet Work From Printup

The 29-year-old trumpeter Marcus Printup is that rare performer, a young lion with teeth.

On the opening night of a four-day run Wednesday at the Jazz Bakery, Printup’s playing was mature and inspired, without the technical clutter that crowds the work of many emerging trumpeters. Everything he played was backed by emotional content, and he was more intent on communicating than leaving any grand impression.

Printup’s sound often recalled the work of ‘60s-era Freddie Hubbard and Lee Morgan, with its emphasis on rhythmic placement and narrative development. And his original pieces, with their modal frameworks and strong beats, also carried the influences of that period.

But Printup isn’t dependent on revivalism to carry his sound or create a personality. Instead, such tunes as “Say It Again” and “Unveiled,” the title number of his new CD, used the hard-bop style of the ‘60s as a springboard into the present. From there, Printup developed improvisations that sometimes took dramatic turns, accomplished with detailed, dynamic phrases or searing, slide-note accents.

The best measure of Printup’s maturity came during ballads, as he unwound story lines with patience and varied tonal color. His solo on the romantic “When Forever Is Over” developed with a series of coos, sustained tones and simple phrases broken by well-calculated periods of silence. As the piece developed in intensity, Printup referenced Hubbard’s trademark calls and sharply cut phrases.

The trumpeter wasn’t the only one in his quartet showing maturity and identity. Pianist Kevin Bales, a spare accompanist, displayed a distinct improvisational style with plenty of chordal splash, twisting lines and occasional tremolo accents. Bassist Ricky Ravelo furnished tight, rhythmic backing while showing a lyrical side when he soloed. Drummer Willie Jones III developed intricate polyrhythms on the modal numbers and gave a flashing brushes solo on the shuffling, New Orleans-influenced “Leave Your Name and Number.”

While the group play was not entirely seamless, it fused tightly on the closing number, “Trauma,” a vehicle that moved between a strong, deliberate beat and a dancing swing tempo.

* Marcus Printup plays the Jazz Bakery, 3233 Helms Ave., Culver City; tonight and Saturday, 8:30 and 10:15 p.m. 8:30 p.m. shows $20, 10:15 p.m. shows $18. (310) 271-9039.