Soft Tones, Boisterous Sonics Find Balance

Vibraphonist Milt Jackson, long of the Modern Jazz Quartet, has championed a relatively soft tone on an instrument not known for volume. The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, directed by composer-bassist John Clayton, is acclaimed for its big, boisterous sonics. Fit them together? Not easily, you would guess.

But Jackson and the Clayton-Hamilton orchestra came together suit and tie Thursday in the opening set of a four-night run at the Jazz Bakery. Arranger Clayton tailored Jackson’s flowing phrases with the 18-piece band’s splashy brass in ways that brought out the best in each.

The near sell-out performance, a warmup before Jackson and the orchestra record next week for Quincy Jones’ Qwest label, was full of high feeling and personality, generated by confident, even cocky solos from Jackson and assorted members of the band. The arrangements of Jackson originals turned on dynamic exchanges between vibes, brass and soloists of astonishing contrast.

Jackson’s signature tune, “Bag’s Groove,” was gracefully framed between Jackson’s vibes, Bill Cunliffe’s piano and Jeff Clayton’s flute. Jackson then scrolled effortlessly over a wash of saxophones, emphasizing particularly bluesy phrases with a pause, before Rickey Woodard’s tenor took the lead against the rhythm section’s groove. A series of explosive exclamations from the horns gave way to Jackson once again coasting easily over drummer Jeff Hamilton’s sophisticated beat.

A more recent Jackson tune, “Recovery,” swung between ups and downs, hope and the blues, understated at times with muted trombones, at other times assertive with clarion trumpets.

Before Jackson joined it, the orchestra performed in familiar fashion Clayton’s raucous “I Be Serious ‘Bout Dem Blues,” which opened with trumpeter Snooky Young’s searing call to attention; drummer Hamilton’s feature on “Back Home Again in Indiana”; and Johnny Mercer and Johnny Mandel’s “Emily,” with bassist Clayton’s arco theme.

* Milt Jackson and the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra appear at the Jazz Bakery, 3233 Helms Ave., Culver City, tonight and Sunday, 8:30 and 10 p.m. $25. (310) 271-9039.