Hamilton Keeps Weaving His Subtle Sonic Textures

A set of drums placed front-and-center stage at the Jazz Bakery can be a dangerous sign. The conspicuous positioning usually means that the group of the night is led by a drummer, which in turn often suggests that the role of the drums will be more prominent than usual. And in the acoustic uncertainties of the Bakery, the result can be an evening of shimmering cymbals, clattery toms and snare, and booming bass drum.

On Tuesday night, however, the front-and-center drums belonged to the 79-year-old Chico Hamilton, who has been musician first and drummer second for five decades. And, aside from an excess of room-jarring cymbal work in the opening piece, a John Coltrane-esque rendering of “Poinciana,” he fronted his quintet with the subtle flourishes of sound and texture that have always been his special stock in trade.

While no one would confuse Hamilton’s current ensemble, Euphoria, with some of the notable groups he has led in the past--featuring such world-class players as Buddy Collette, Jim Hall, Eric Dolphy, Charles Lloyd and Gabor Szabo--the music reflected the manner in which he has shaped and molded the playing of dozens of young musicians over the years.

In this case, the focus rested primarily upon the workmanlike guitar of Cary Denigris and the driving bass lines of longtime associate Paul Ramsey. Both were first rate, with Denigris’ versatility surfacing energetically in an impressive set of choruses on “Angel Eyes.”

It is to Hamilton’s credit as a supporter of his young talent that he stretched out most of the pieces to allow extended solo segments. But the results were often uneven. Alto/soprano saxophonist Erik Lawrence, for example, played with remarkably fast fingers, but a somewhat underdeveloped sense of focus and organization; tenor saxophonist Evan Schwam, on the other hand, delivered improvisations ranging from crisply articulated blues inflections to wild multi-phonics.

Both young players clearly need more seasoning, and a tour of duty with Hamilton, who is one of the few remaining bandleader-as-teacher front men, is precisely the right recipe for their future development.

* Chico Hamilton and Euphoria at the Jazz Bakery, 3233 Helms Ave., Culver City. Tonight through Sunday at 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. $22 admission. (310) 271-9039.