Competent Sax Playing by Ellis, but No Tingles

Tenor saxophonist Dave Ellis’ performance at Rocco Ristorante on Friday night was an example of one of the uncertainties of jazz in the ‘90s. For decades, the traditional pathway to prominence for a jazz musician has been via the sideman route--that is, through a series of apprentice-like jobs working with established leaders, learning the subtle details of the jazz life.

In the ‘90s, however, a new generation of players moved into the spotlight with very little of the professional seasoning once provided by bands such as Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. The result has been a plethora of recordings and appearances by players whose excellent playing skills have not always been matched by their leadership abilities.

To his credit, Ellis spent some time with the Charlie Hunter Band, serving as a valuable musical contributor to the ensemble’s often innovative work. His two solo albums on Monarch have been well-reviewed, and he has received several awards from jazz periodicals.

But his performance at Rocco in Bel-Air, before a noisy crowd, lacked the kind of energy that might have attracted his listeners’ attention away from their eager social interaction.

Ellis’ music, which ranged from Herbie Hancock’s “Tell Me a Bedtime Story” to originals such as “Said and Done,” was well-rehearsed and competent, with Jeff Chimenti on piano, Peter Barshay on bass and Deszon Claiborne on drums dispensing solid support. Ellis’ soloing was generally articulate, especially on tenor saxophone (he also played soprano), displaying an attractive, mellow sound and an impressive command of his instrument’s high, altissimo register.

Articulate competence is not hard to find these days, however, as the skill level in jazz rises. And Ellis--who on the basis of his work with Hunter seems to be clearly capable of adventurous, innovative playing--needs to take his game, and his energy, up a level if he is going to do an effective job as a leader, rather than simply be a sideman with his own group.

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* The Dave Ellis Quartet appears in a free concert at LA Jazz ’99 at USC’s Bovard Auditorium on Monday at 7 p.m. (213) 740-2167. Also at Catalina Bar & Grill, 1640 N. Cahuenga Blvd., on the same evening at 8:30 and 10. (323) 466-2210.