Young Performers Have Their Moment

It was open-mike night at the Jazz Spot Tuesday--an opportunity for young jazz artists to demonstrate their wares. Hosted by the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, the program was the first of a series of Tuesday night events aimed at displaying the wealth of young talent in the Southland.

The debut presentation was a smashing success. After an opening performance by the Thelonious Monk Institute quintet, the stage was available to anyone willing to sign in and wait their turn. And plenty of candidates turned out.

The focus, on this night at least, was squarely on the saxophone. On any given tune, there were generally no less than four or five alto or tenor saxophonists clustered on stage, taking their turns at material ranging from the blues to “All the Things You Are.”

Open-mike sessions for jazz musicians are a bit different from comparable settings for stand-up comics, of course. Jazz players, for one thing, don’t do it alone; they have to integrate their presentation with other players, with each offering his or her individual variations on the same material.

But a collective musical approach can quickly verge on chaos without some sense of direction. Fortunately, veteran alto saxophonist Bobby Watson, currently a teaching artist in the institute’s USC jazz program, was present to keep the process organized and to offer the occasional beautifully crafted solo of his own to serve as improvisational models. Toward the end of the evening, he was joined by pianist Billy Childs in a further demonstration of high-level artistry.

For the younger participants, the quality level ranged all over the place, with a few functioning at a high professional level, others still getting their skills together. Among the players showing signs of finding their own unique voices were a pair of pianists, Randy Ingram and Eli James, the rhythm section team of drummer Rob Perkins and bassist Bill Mohler, trumpeter Bryan Lipps and numerous saxophonists, including at least two promising young players from Los Angeles County high schools: Matt Silberman and Sean Sonderregger.

What made the evening special from a listener’s point of view, however, was the sheer enthusiasm of the participants. With the eagerness of so many young players to embrace the music, the future of the jazz art looks bright.

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The Thelonious Monk Institute Jam Session at the Jazz Spot. Every Tuesday evening in March. 8:30 p.m. Participants place their names on a sign-up sheet and have the opportunity to play in appropriate pairings. $5 admission for listeners. 2138 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz. (323) 666-8666.