Magical Interplay From Holland’s Quartet

Dave Holland’s last L.A. appearance was this past summer, opening for Herbie Hancock at the Hollywood Bowl. The premier bassist’s quartet, and its volume-sensitive, vibraphone-backed sound, went largely unnoticed as the crowd searched for its seats and dished up pasta salad as the music was played.

Holland’s return this week for a five-day run at the more suitably sized Jazz Bakery is reason for celebration. His two sets Wednesday, performed before a small but enthusiastic crowd, gave an up-close look of the inventiveness that only filtered through at the Bowl.

Playing pieces from its 1996 ECM release, “Dream of the Elders,” and new material scheduled to be recorded this spring, Holland’s band justified its reputation as one of the jazz world’s most original ensembles. The bassist’s material has a thoroughly modern slant, which often reflects the condition and intensity of contemporary life. The tunes don’t as much swing as saunter, and the dynamics are not terribly assertive. Even saxophonist Eric Person seldom strays from a modest volume level.

Despite its sophistication, the bassist’s work is deeply felt, completely accessible music played with impeccable craft. Holland, vibist Steve Nelson, alto and soprano player Person and drummer Gene Jackson have been together some three years and have developed a sort of musical Internet, best apparent in the spontaneity and tightness of their ensemble work. Even when performing a new, as yet untitled Person composition for only the second time, the four musicians demonstrated magical anticipation of one another’s moves.

Nelson’s ringing backdrops gave Holland’s music a sheen that accentuated the other instruments. Playing mostly with four mallets, Nelson eschewed runs for reverberating, sustained tones put together in attractively unpredictable progressions. Jackson’s agile polyrhythms, played with plenty of cymbal, supported multiple directions, pushing Person and Nelson into more extreme statements.

Holland’s virtuosity both as anchor and soloist was dazzling. He worked with impeccable pitch and a never-failing source of ideas. His enthusiasm could be read in his facial expressions as he dipped and leaped about his instrument. No matter the tempo, he was consistently fascinating without resorting to riffs or other repetitious horseplay. Given the right setting, Holland and company are among the most rewarding of jazz bands.

* The Dave Holland Quartet plays tonight and Saturday at the Jazz Bakery, 3233 Helms Ave., Culver City. 8:30 p.m. show $20; 10:15 p.m. show $18. (310) 271-9039.