Pianist Jon Mayer’s Trio Gives New Venue a Lively Workout

Los Angeles’ newest jazz club--simply and appropriately labeled the Jazz Spot--had an open-to-the-public trial run Tuesday night. Ostensibly planned to test the sound and introduce patrons to the room, the evening turned out to be a showcase for a performance by the trio of pianist Jon Mayer.

Performing on the room’s impressive 9-foot Yamaha concert grand, Mayer worked his way through a program dominated by standards and blues. On tunes such as “Young and Foolish,” “The Touch of Your Lips” and “Stella by Starlight,” he was a passionately intense improviser. Mayer’s style is firmly rooted in the tradition that flows from Bud Powell to McCoy Tyner, but he executed it in highly personal fashion, often alternating fleet spontaneous melody lines with massive two-handed chording, taking full advantage of the large piano’s rich tonal potential. Eyes focused into space, body moving with the rhythm, singing and grunting with his lines, Mayer was the visual embodiment of the driving swing inherent to everything he played.

Mayer’s associates--bassist Bob Maize and drummer Roy McCurdy--functioned as interactive musical partners rather than mere accompanists. Maize’s flowing lines--a bit over-amplified at times--roved around and through the piano textures, sometimes complementing, sometimes generating a dynamic, forward-moving rhythm. McCurdy, always a subtle drummer, adjusting his sound level to the acoustics of the still unfamiliar room, generally succeeding by emphasizing subtle percussion sounds and shimmering cymbals.

As a sound check, the Mayer Trio’s performance underscored the fact that the first element in good sound is always good performance, which they delivered. And, as with any new room, the Jazz Spot--especially because of the tonal power of its large piano--will take some continuing acoustic adjustment. But the room is pleasant and the sight lines are good. The combination of the Jazz Spot with the adjoining Los Feliz Restaurant (which includes glass paneling and booths from the original Chasen’s) makes the complex a potentially prime entertainment and dining destination.

* The Jazz Spot, 2138 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz. Tonight, singer Julie Kelly; Saturday, the Jon Mayer Trio. From 8 p.m. (323) 666-8666.