Improving Improv

Pianist and composer Theo Saunders’ three-decade-plus career in the jazz field, which has included stints with such major artists as trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, saxophonist Eddie Harris and trombonist Bob Brookmeyer, has led him, essentially, to a new beginning.

“I feel like I’m just learning how to play piano, learning how to produce the sound I hear in my head,” said Saunders, 53, a New York native who lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Susan.

“It’s that old cliche: You spend years learning the vocabulary of jazz, but then, of course, you have to forget it to really play.”

Saunders’ fans might feel he’s been hitting his stride for some time.

The artist, whose most recent CD is the vigorous, thoughtful “Three for All,” can be a stunning soloist who draws from such influences as Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Keith Jarrett in making his improvisations bristle with life.

Saunders makes an infrequent appearance as a leader tonight at Rocco, when he fronts his quintet with saxophonist Chuck Manning, trumpeter Sal Marquez--he also plays in their bands--bassist Darek Oles and drummer John Guerin.

“The compositions I write don’t have a predetermined style,” said the musician, who grew up in an artistic family that included his father, Nicholas Saunders, an actor now performing in Southern California in Arthur Miller’s “The Man Who Had All the Luck,” and his sister, Lanna Saunders, whom he called “my favorite actress.”

“Some tunes, like ‘The Jazz Messenger,’ a tribute to drummer Art Blakey, have a hard-driving quality,” Saunders said.

“Others, such as ‘Queen of Tangents,’ dedicated to my wife, are very melodic. Then there’s ‘Free South Africa,’ with a rhythm that’s not normally associated with jazz: African pop. It’s quite a variety.”

Saunders began piano with the classical regimen, but it was jazz that called him. He began his professional life in New York in the ‘60s, playing with such now-notables as saxophonist Dave Liebman and trumpeter Randy Brecker.

“For me, this has been the great passion,” he said. “Many times I’ve failed so that I might improve. I just never gave up.”

Theo Saunders plays tonight, 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., at Rocco Ristorante, 2930 Beverly Glen Circle, Bel-Air. $10 cover, no minimum. Call (310) 475-9807.

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In Brief: Want to hear tenor saxophone played bravura New York style? Head to Rocco on Saturday and catch jazz ace George Coleman, who brings along his longtime partner, esteemed pianist Harold Mabern. 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., $15 cover.

Informed, energized guitarist Jeff Miley leads his smart jazz-fusion band, Code 3, on Monday, 9:30 and 11:30 p.m., at the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd., North Hollywood; $10 cover, two-drink minimum; (818) 980-1615.

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