Scofield Plugs In to Play ‘Quiet’ Songs

John Scofield has been one of the principal paragons of hard-edged electric jazz guitar for decades. So his decision to go all acoustic for his current, appropriately titled album “Quiet” (Verve) was a startling development for his many young fans.

The opening night of his six-night run at Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood on Tuesday was filled with an eager audience, ready to check out his playing while hanging on his every multi-string run up and down the instrument. Some watched so intently that their own fingers unconsciously manipulated air guitars as they became captivated by Scofield’s performance.

But--surprise--he played very little acoustic guitar. Much of his set was performed on an electric instrument, even though many of the tunes came from the new album. Fortunately, there was no loss. Scofield played superbly, essentially in the same laid-back musical state of mind present on “Quiet,” approaching his solos with the craft and sensitivity of a mature and thoughtful artist.

The quality of the music was aided by Scofield’s young, talented band. Tenor saxophonist Seamus Blake, in particular, was a compelling, if offbeat, soloist. Avidly in pursuit of his own muse, he laid down a series of choruses built on colorful fragments of melody and rhythm, somehow managing to assemble them into slowly coalescing musical structures.

Pianist Kevin Hays played with solid, straight-ahead drive, and bassist Larry Grenadier was predictably dependable, occasionally stepping forward for some articulate solo work.

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Holding everything together was drummer Bill Stewart, arguably one of the most imaginative percussionists in contemporary jazz. This time out, however, he played a more supportive role than in his recent gig at the same venue with organist Larry Goldings. It would have been nice to have heard more solos from Stewart but, even as a basic rhythm section drummer, he is an always-fascinating performer.

Scofield brought the musical mix to a climax with a final romp through “Do Like Eddie,” a tribute to the recently departed tenor saxophonist Eddie Harris, a frequent associate. The tune’s bouncy, funk-driven rhythms broke away from the acoustic-oriented format of the set, but they provided the perfect showcase for a display of Scofield’s brisk, propulsive guitar. At his best, he is among the premier players of his generation, and on this night he was very good indeed.

* John Scofield Quintet at Catalina Bar & Grill through Sunday. 1640 N. Cahuenga Blvd., (213) 466-2210. $14 cover tonight and Sunday, $16 cover Friday and Saturday, with two-drink minimum. Scofield performs two shows nightly, at 8:30 and 10:30.