Back on the Horn

Having good health makes life worth living, but the folks who really know that are those who have survived serious illness. Take Jack Sheldon, the dynamic trumpeter, singer and comedian who has been a prime participant in the Los Angeles jazz and studio music scene for close to 50 years.

“Just to be alive is so great,” said Sheldon, who has been in remission from colon cancer for three years. “I’m getting my strength back, but it took all this time. My sound is pretty good. With the trumpet, if you play every day, you’re fine, but if you lay off for a couple of days, then it’s like starting over.”

Sheldon has been fortunate to work steadily in a career that ranges from playing the emotive theme “The Shadow of Your Smile,” on the soundtrack of the Elizabeth Taylor-Richard Burton classic “The Sandpiper,” to sharing bandstands with jazz greats such as Charlie Parker. He’s had his own TV series, “Run, Buddy, Run,” and done voice-over work on “The Simpsons” and commercials.

He leads his California Cool quartet tonight at Monteleone’s West in Tarzana and offers duets with piano ace Ross Tompkins every Sunday at Spazio in Sherman Oaks.

The quartet teams Sheldon, whose gravelly singing is as much a standout as his spirited trumpet playing, with a robust crew that includes pianist Christian Jacob, bassist Trey Henry and drummer Ray Brinker. The players make the leader stretch.

“These guys are really something,” he said. “They’re so creative and they play kind of avant-garde, which I’m not too much, but it leads me in that way and I dig trying to keep up with them.”

Tompkins is another key member of Sheldon’s musical circle. They’ve paired for years at clubs such as the Money Tree and Chadney’s.

“Ross is phenomenal, a complete individual,” Sheldon said. “I know a lot of tunes, but he knows twice as many as I do.”

In Brief: British-born guitarist Chris Standring, who likes anything from jazz to R&B; and pop, has a minor hit going with his new album, “Hip Sway.” Hear tunes from the CD and more when he plays Thursday from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at Cafe Cordiale, 14015 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. (818) 789-1985.

Veteran drummer Bernie Dresel has a hot band in Velvet Bernie, which sports pianist Jeff Babko, saxophonist Gary Meek and bassist Ric Fierabracci.

They play Monday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd., North Hollywood. (818) 980-1615).

BE THERE

Jack Sheldon appears tonight from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Monteleone’s West, 19337 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana. No cover. Without dinner there’s a $9.95 food-drink minimum. (818) 996-0662. Sheldon and pianist Ross Tompkins play Sunday from 9 p.m. to midnight at Spazio, 14755 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. No cover, no minimum. Call (818) 728-8400.

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