From ‘Bird’ to Big Bands

Last weekend, while performing as part of the band Supersax at a jazz festival in Sarasota, Fla., Ray Reed relived some early musical memories. Supersax plays orchestrated versions of jazz giant Charlie “Bird” Parker’s improvised solos. At the festival they played material that Parker had offered up with a string section in the late ‘40s.

These selections were among the very numbers that first got Reseda native Reed, then a young clarinet player, excited about popular music in general, and jazz in particular.

“My dad brought home some all worn-out and scratchy 78 rpm records of Bird and strings,” Reed said. “I didn’t pay much attention to Bird, but I was entranced by the beauty of such songs as ‘If I Should Lose You,’ ‘Summertime’ and ‘Everything Happens to Me.’

“I loved the melodies, the harmonies, the lush strings, the way it all worked. It made me want to learn those tunes. I did and I still know most of them.”

Reed, a veteran who’s been part of big bands led by Stan Kenton, Louie Bellson, Bill Holman and many others, is featured tonight through Saturday with drummer Danny Pucillo’s trio at Monty’s Steakhouse in Woodland Hills. No doubt, several of those timeless chestnuts he learned as a lad will be spotlighted.

“I’ll probably stick with my favorites, the songs of Gershwin, Porter and people like that,” he said, talking from his Encino home. “They’re beautiful and on them it’s possible to do some real hard swinging. We can play them slow and dirty, or fire up the afterburners on a tune like ‘Lover’ and try to spread some of the fireworks around.”

Reed, who is known for solos that deliver honest feeling at any tempo, taught himself to improvise as a teenager. “I discovered strings of notes that I liked and memorized them,” he said. “I added more until, piece by piece, the puzzle came together and I was good enough to play.”

The 54-year old musician describes the feeling of improvisation: “It’s a liberation. All my conscious and subconscious energy is directed into a thought process. You remember the ideas that really work, you really listen to the other players. You might even be tempted to play a song you don’t know. What the heck? You’ve got to try it sometime.”

Reed took up clarinet at 10. He was good in a hurry, and played first chair in the Reseda High symphonic band, and second chair in the school’s symphony. He added saxes a few years later, and studied for a time at Valley State College (now CSUN), before embarking on the four-year stint with Kenton that started his professional career.

The artist had a dandy reason for making music his life’s work: “It was easy, and besides, I liked it.”

* Ray Reed performs with Danny Pucillo’s trio (Tom Ranier on piano, Bob Maize on bass) at Monty’s Steakhouse, 5371 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills. Show times: tonight, 7:30-11:30, Fri.-Sat., 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. No cover, no minimum. (818) 716-9736).

Quick Hits

* Another former Stan Kenton-ite and Charlie Parker devotee is alto saxophonist Gabe Baltazar, who makes one of his regular trips from his home in Honolulu and plays Friday, 9-10 p.m. at Chadney’s (3000 W. Olive St., Burbank; no cover, one-drink minimum per show; (818) 843-5333) . . .

* Down the street from Chadney’s is J.P.’s Lounge (1333 Hollywood Way, Burbank, no cover or minimum, [818] 845-1800), a friendly neighborhood bar with a nicely situated stage. There on Saturday, from 9 p.m.-1 a.m., you can hear the be-bop vibist Dave Pike, who is sounding swell these days . . .

* For those who like a little Latin oomph in their jazz, check out the very consistent Poncho Sanchez, one of the kings of Latin jazz who keeps his strong L.A. following by always returning to area nightclubs. This Saturday, at 9:30 and 11:30 p.m., he plays La Ve Lee (12514 Ventura Blvd., Studio City; $5, two-drink minimum; [818] 980-8158).