High on Jammin’

The debut jam session at Rocco hit the ground running last week in Beverly Glen with the rousing work of trombonist Issac Smith, the more introspective playing of tenor saxophonist Chad Bloom and the outstanding house trio led by veteran bass great Tony Dumas.

First there were a couple of ace numbers by the trio. Greg Kurstin performed on Rocco’s new grand piano, and Dumas played inventive, melodically rich solos. Drummer Mark Ferber complemented his partners with a keen sensitivity and drive.

Then the unsung Dumas, who has played with jazz giants such as Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard and Cedar Walton, asked for guest artists to come up and play.

Bloom, a student at Cal State Northridge, delivered a poised, lyrical yet modern style. Trumpeter Danny Pass, a student at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, played unevenly but had good moments. Solid applause from a throng in the Rocco bar greeted the performances.

Trombonist Smith, a student at UCLA and a major talent in the making, then joined the festivities. Both he and Bloom were stunning on “Softly, as in a Morning’s Sunrise.” The saxophonist played winsome lines over a continually shifting rhythm section pulse, then Smith delivered alternately hard-swinging ideas and more free-ranging thoughts, all with a blustery sound. More cheers followed.

Later, the audience heard heated performances by saxophonist Bobby King, trumpeter Richard Williams, guitarist Greg Erba, pianist David Ake and others.

The jam at Rocco was remarkable for the high level of playing and the sense of adventure and chance-taking. This thrilled Rocco music director Matt Piper.

“We wanted to have a really great jam with a serious rhythm section, focusing on instrumentalists,” he said. “We wanted to give serious musicians a chance to play what they want, and to encounter other players.”

Pianist Ake, a former Angeleno and current professor of music at the University of Nevada at Reno, concurred. “Sessions are important for bringing the jazz community together,” he said.

Many non-musicians in the audience reveled in the performances, such as Joyce and Lee Gassert of Chatsworth, who were celebrating their 42nd wedding anniversary.

“I think it’s amazing to find musicians who just stand up, start playing and sound great,” said Joyce Gassert.

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BE THERE

Jam session with bassist Tony Dumas’ trio takes place every Tuesday from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Rocco, 2930 Beverly Glen Circle, Bel-Air. Instrumentalists only. No cover, $8 minimum. Call (310) 475-9807.

Zan Stewart writes about jazz for the Valley Edition. He can be reached at Zansky@aol.com.