‘Tonight’ Crew Takes the Stage

What to do after a hard week of providing ba-da-booms for Jay Leno? Saxophonist Ralph Moore, drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith and bassist Bob Hurst, all members of guitarist Kevin Eubanks’ “Tonight Show” ensemble, seemed like any other working stiffs when they played the Club Brasserie in the Bel Age Hotel on Friday, ready to blow off some steam after a tough week on the job.

The TGIF theory might explain why Moore’s quartet, with pianist Greg Kurstin, gave such a heated performance. But it’s worth remembering that, though most visible as musical sidekicks, Moore, Smith and Hurst are more than stiffs in the world of jazz.

The London-born Moore, a recording artist with a number of fine albums out on the Landmark, Criss Cross and Savoy labels as well as being a longtime member of pianist Cedar Walton’s Eastern Rebellion, came to L.A. from New York three years ago when Eubanks assumed the role of “Tonight Show” music director. The saxophonist’s infrequent appearances in Southern California make the unmistakable point that he hasn’t sold his soul to work on television.

Like many of his generation, the 41-year-old Moore reflects a variety of influences. Here, playing tunes from Benny Golson, Sam Jones and John Coltrane, Moore aired samples of Wayne Shorter’s probing style as well as Joe Henderson’s terse, pregnant lines.

Moore worked an economical style, both in the length of his lines and the volumes he used. Even when crying out at the height of his range, he brought a certain understatement to his sound, multiplying its emotional content.

Drummer Smith, a far cry from economical, packed his play with polyrhythms, impressively cut accents and rolling drum and cymbal combinations that served to drive the saxophonist to more revealing statements. When playing brushes, as he did on “You Don’t Know What Love Is,” the drummer provided waves of shading and emphasis. Bassist Hurst, whose strong, confident walk afforded Smith opportunities to extend the beat, showed his usual wealth of ideas when soloing.