Uncommon Pairing of Vibes, Sax Emphasizes Spontaneity

The vibes and the baritone saxophone are an unlikely jazz combination, the bell-like sounds of the former making for an odd blend with the deep, brawny muscularity of the latter. But jazz has always been receptive to improbable musical alliances, so the pairing of vibist Dave Pike and baritone saxophonist Nick Brignola at the Jazz Bakery this week promises, at the very least, some rare musical encounters.

In fact, as Brignola pointed out in Wednesday’s opening set, the combination--for this pair--isn’t all that unusual, since they first joined forces nearly 40 years ago. Despite the long musical friendship, however, their performance had the distinct quality of a jam session format.

The program was dominated by standards such as “Stella by Starlight,” “All the Things You Are,” “These Foolish Things” and familiar jazz lines such as “Au Privave”; and the interaction with bassist Tony Dumas and drummer Joe LaBarbera suggested sheer spontaneity rather than rehearsal.

No problem with jazz spontaneity, of course, and the rhythmic energy that underscores the work of both players was generally enough to move things along. But on the up tempos, the tendency to get into a fixed emotional mode--fleet and busy for Pike, hard-edged and aggressive for Brignola--tended to become a bit wearying. Both were more appealing on a more laid-back number such as “These Foolish Things,” in which Brignola allowed the warmth of his tone and the sensitivity of his line to surface, and Pike’s capacity to deliver subtle contrasts of tone and accent became more apparent.

Despite the occasional unevenness of the opening-night set, Brignola and Pike are players who deserve a hearing. Brignola is one of the strongest descendants of a line that reaches back through Pepper Adams and Serge Chaloff, and Pike bridges the swing of Milt Jackson with the timbral sensitivity of Gary Burton. They may not have found the perfect blend of vibes and baritone saxophone, but there’s no denying their infinite capacity to swing.

*

* Nick Brignola featuring Dave Pike at the Jazz Bakery through Sunday. 3233 Helms Ave., Culver City. (310) 271-9039. $20 admission today and Saturday at 8 and 9:30 p.m., and Sunday at 7 and 8:30 p.m.