Shank’s Vibrant Solos Open New Chadney’s

Undeterred by the ceiling damage that caused the shutdown of Chadney’s jazz club in Burbank last week, the club has continued on in a new location. With plans already in the works to open a Chadney’s Universal on Cahuenga Boulevard, the jazz operation simply shifted to the new room.

And fans apparently had no difficulty finding the venue, which was packed Saturday night for a rare appearance by veteran West Coast jazz alto saxophonist Bud Shank. In town to make a recording featuring the music of Gerry Mulligan, Shank essentially used his set as an opportunity to run through the charts for the upcoming session.

That was both good and bad. Good, because it presented a first-rate quartet--in addition to Shank, Mike Wofford, piano; Bob Magnusson, bass; and Joe LaBarbera, drums--playing an attractive selection of tunes. Bad, because it too often had the feeling of a rehearsal, of musicians carefully reading charts and not coming together with the intimate interaction that makes for the most appealing jazz performances.

Aside from the occasional uncertainties of the ensemble passages, however, there was no denying the quality of the soloing. Shank, at 72, still sounded very much as he does on his recordings from the ‘50s--a vibrant, articulate player with a buoyant ability to cruise easily across the chord changes. And Wofford, who is heard too rarely, offered one probing solo after another, mixing long, boppish lines with brisk, rhythmic chording. Magnusson also soloed effectively, especially on his high strings, and combined with LaBarbera (on a tiny, crowded stage) to lay down a solid rhythm foundation for the collection of relatively unfamiliar, but engaging Mulligan numbers.

At the moment, Chadney’s’ jazz shows will continue at the new location with the previously announced December programs (with the exception of the big-band music on Monday nights). But, apparently because of licensing regulations, the room at the moment continues to bear its previous name--Mallory’s. One can only hope that the logistics can be worked out, since the room (despite awkward sight lines for some of the seating) is a pleasant, well-located venue for Chadney’s’ always-inviting jazz programs.

* Chadney’s jazz at Mallory’s, 3575 Cahuenga Blvd., Studio City. No cover. Jazz nightly; call for schedule. (818) 843-5333.