Trumpeter Saskia Laroo Plays It Down the Middle

There’s a gallery on Saskia Laroo’s Web site in which she is portrayed in a series ofcategorized photographs. One set is with “jazz musicians,” another is with “Latin musicians,” a third is with “funk musicians,” and yet another is with “Dutch musicians.” It would also have been possible to add a “smooth jazz” grouping, since she has thrived in that arena as well, but Laroo doesn’t seem to make that sort of stylistic distinction.

The range of labels, in any case, accurately describes the eclectic interests of the Dutch trumpeter who, despite her relatively low visibility on the American jazz scene, is highly regarded in Europe and is a successful marketer of her own recordings.

On Wednesday at the Jazz Bakery, Laroo opened a four-night run with the same group of players that appears with her on her latest album (“Sunset Eyes 2000,” Laroo Records): tenor saxophonist Teddy Edwards, pianist Art Hillery, bassist Wendell Williams and drummer Gerrick King.

Despite her stylistic range, for this outing Laroo chose to emphasize her straight-ahead jazz talents, an appropriate choice given the mature, middle-of-the-road groove provided by her associates.

Playing a set of material ranging from originals to a Miles Davis-tinged stroll through “Blackbird,” she was an adept improviser. To her credit, she played several tunes at strikingly fast-paced tempos, never backing down in her soloing, often popping out soaring high-note phrases. And her Harmon mute playing on “Blackbird” managed to suggest Davis without attempting to imitate him.

Edwards’ efforts were right down the middle of his familiar, rich-toned, hard-driving style. More than many, he has managed throughout his long, productive career to blend the warmth of a swing-era sound with the articulateness of a bebop imagination. And his ensemble passages with Laroo were first-rate, with both players finding a lush, compatible blending of sound.

Given the rarity of female jazz trumpeters, Laroo’s performance inevitably was obliged to deal with a subtext of audience skepticism. But she handled whatever questioning attitudes might have been present in the best manner possible--by letting her playing speak for itself.

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* The Saskia Laroo Quartet with Teddy Edwards at the Jazz Bakery, 3233 Helms Ave., Culver City. Tonight and Saturday at 8 and 9:30 p.m., $20 admission. (310) 271-9039.