Downsizing for Fun

Frank Capp’s drum work can be described in two words: sharp and clean.

And that was how the vital 65-year-old looked during a recent interview.

The stocky Capp wore a crisp white shirt with blue stripes, pressed black slacks and matching loafers. His hair showed just a hint of gray.

Capp hails from Worcester, Mass., and his full name is Cappuccio. “I couldn’t get all the letters on the bass drum, so I cut it down,” he said with a chuckle. “But that was 45 to 50 years ago. No one wanted an ethnic-sounding name.”

The drummer is best known as the spirited, hard-driving leader of the Juggernaut big band.

Capp started the band with pianist Nat Pierce in 1975, and took over the reins when Pierce died in 1992.

Capp’s first big-name job was a brief tenure with Stan Kenton at age 19.

“I wasn’t strong enough,” he said. “But when Stan let me go, he took me aside and told me, ‘I know you’re going to be good someday, so I’ve arranged another job for you.’ That was with Neil Hefti’s small big band,” which went bust after a time.

Soon, though, Capp was working in small bands, backing such revered singers as Ella Fitzgerald--”She was like working with a horn”--and Peggy Lee.

He also performed with such renowned jazz men as tenor saxophonist Stan Getz--”He was the master of them all because he had so much facility, such great time”--and alto saxophonist Art Pepper. Later came tons of studio work.

Although he’s mostly heard with Juggernaut these days, Capp does the occasional combo call, as he will with his quartet Friday at Chadney’s in Burbank.

The band features tenor saxophonist Rickey Woodard, who also plays in the Juggernaut and has recorded several albums with Capp’s trio, the latest being “Quality Time” (Concord Jazz).

“I like Rickey’s exuberance and his fire,” Capp said of Woodard, a former soloist with Ray Charles. “The first time I heard him, he sounded great.”

Capp loves the opportunity to downsize and play with the quartet. “There’s more freedom than the big band, and I’m not constrained by the charts,” he said.

“Things don’t have to follow each other exactly, and the format allows for stretching out. And I love not having to worry whether 15 guys will show up on time,” he laughed.

During the interview, Capp played some of his new band album, “Play It Again, Sam,” which is devoted to the music of Sammy Nestico, who achieved fame writing for the Count Basie Orchestra.

“Sammy writes melodic,” said Capp. “You can sing the phrases, and the music swings. Some things are challenging, some are elementary, but it all works. He’s one of the few arrangers who write with the band and the audience in mind.”

* Frank Capp’s quartet plays Fri., 9 p.m.-1 a.m., at Chadney’s, 3000 W. Olive St., Burbank. No cover, one-drink minimum per show. (818) 843-5333.

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QUICK HITS: Another Italian-American who shortened his name is in our climes this weekend. Pete Jolly, the vital, appealing pianist who was born Peter Ceragioli, leads his longtime trio of bassist Chuck Berghofer and drummer Nick Martinis tonight from 8:30 to 1 a.m. at Monteleone’s West (19337 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana; no cover; without dinner, $9.95 food/drink minimum; [818] 996-0662.)

Nnenna Freelon, an adventurous jazz singer who brings a decided edge of excitement and flavor to her renditions, works with her trio Friday and Saturday, at 8 both nights in the Performing Arts Center, University Student Union, Cal State Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff St. (enter parking lot C off Zelzah Ave.); tickets, $10-$20; (818) 677-2488.

Freelon, who has been given the Billie Holiday Award by France’s Academie du Jazz, will offer standards and originals from her latest album, “Shaking Free” (Concord Jazz).