Cupid’s Groove Imbues Crusaders’ Funk

An evening with the Jazz Crusaders always has an element of celebration to go along with the group’s spirited music. So there was a certain appropriateness to their presence at Catalina Bar & Grill on Monday night for Valentine’s Day.

OK, jazz funk is not necessarily the first music that comes to mind as the soundtrack for a holiday having to do with the ways of love. But the Crusaders, sparked by trombonist Wayne Henderson’s amiable interaction with the packed-house crowd, at the very least set the stage, creating an atmosphere of warm amiability and relaxed grooving. Call it a postmodern musical approach to romance.

Of course, this version of the Jazz Crusaders--who have now returned to their original name, after several decades as the Crusaders--only includes half of the founding members. Pianist Joe Sample and drummer Stix Hooper moved on to other ventures years ago, leaving saxophonist Wilton Felder and trombonist Wayne Henderson as the core of the ensemble. But the sound and the style are still firmly rooted in the foot-tapping, groove-driven rhythms, soul-tinged melodies and party-time atmosphere that made the group such a hit in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

Henderson was the spark plug of the evening. Dressed in a leopard-skin-patterned apron and hat, he announced that he had come “to cook” and expected everyone to join in. On his own “Keep That Same Old Feeling,” he enticed the crowd to sing the tune’s signature phrase. He kicked off another tune with a wild collection of vocalized scat sounds, played a series of well-crafted solos on his trombone (with its Dizzy Gillespie-like elevated bell) and several other low brass instruments, and continually worked to keep the musicians and the audience firmly in touch with each other.

Felder, seeming a bit distracted from the proceedings, offered a few blues- and gospel-tinged tenor solos, as well as a laid-back soprano saxophone rendering of (what else?) “My Funny Valentine.” The other current members of the Crusaders--pianist Bill Steinway, guitarist Allen Hinds, bassist David Hughes and drummer Tony St. James--offered strong support with particularly effective solo efforts from Hinds and (in a captivating display of hand-drumming) St. James.

* The Jazz Crusaders are at Catalina Bar & Grill through Sunday. 1640 N. Cahuenga Blvd., (323) 466-2210. $15 cover tonight and Thursday at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m.; $18 cover Friday at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m.; $20 Saturday at 8:30 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m; $18 cover Saturday at 10:30 p.m. and Sunday at 9 p.m. Two-drink minimum.