Intelligent Musicianship From Trumpeter Roditi

The ‘90s have been an exhilarating decade for jazz. But it would be a shame if amid the early ‘90s rush of young lions and the late ‘90s surge of Latin jazz, a player such as Claudio Roditi was somehow overlooked. The Brazilian-born trumpeter is one of the gems of jazz internationalism, a player whose work underscores the capacity of jazz to reach into cultures around the world.

On Thursday, making a rare L.A. appearance, Roditi opened a four-night run at the Jazz Bakery in impressive style. Firmly based in the hard bop of the ‘50s and ‘60s, he dashed through a set of jazz repertoire items--”Donna Lee,” “Birk’s Works,” “Body and Soul,” etc.--with brisk but imaginative efficiency. (Although Roditi plays an instrument rarely seen in jazz--a rotary valve trumpet--neither his articulation nor his sound appeared different from the more traditional valved trumpet.)

But Roditi is more than an efficient craftsman. In both his theme statements and his improvisations, he shaped his lines with intelligence and musical focus. He played the opening melody of “Secret Love,” for example, by occasionally holding single notes over several bars, retaining the essence of the theme while leveling out its peaks and valleys. And his improvisations--especially his understated but emotionally impactful ballad playing--were the work of a mature, thoughtful artist.

Roditi was accompanied superbly by bassist Brian Bromberg’s trio. Bromberg is a virtuosic bassist, his solos bursting with remarkable technical achievements, but he was at his best when he focused on creating rich-textured, emotionally probing melodic lines. Pianist Mitch Forman, conversely, seemed far less concerned with technique, attacking his improvisations with enormous rhythmic ferocity and a driving sense of swing. The sometimes over-the-top playing of both was carefully framed by drummer Terri Lyne Carrington who, continuing to mature as an accompanist, kept the rhythm flowing smoothly.

* Claudio Roditi, Brian Bromberg Trio at the Jazz Bakery. 3233 Helms Ave., tonight at 8 and 9:30 p.m., $20 admission. Sunday at 7 and 8:30 p.m., $18. (310) 271-9039.