Tuzzolino Deftly Blends Vocal, Piano Chords

Anyone brooding over the paucity of male jazz singers is directed to the Monday night performances of Pat Tuzzolino at Charlie O’s jazz room in Valley Glen. Although Tuzzolino, who plays keyboards and occasionally guitar, has been a regular in the Los Angeles jazz community for years, he has never quite put everything together as thoroughly as he is now doing in his current trio, with Frankie Capp on drums and Sam Most on flute and saxophones.

The keystone element in his performances, however, is an interactive relationship with his keyboards. On Monday night, for example, he kicked off the set with an up-tempo romp through “Tea for Two.” Using a keyboard synthesizer to generate bass lines with his left hand, he chorded with his right hand on the acoustic piano, the two fused elements powering the engine that drives his hard-swinging vocals.

Other tunes followed in profusion: “I’m Beginning to See the Light” rendered with a brisk, upbeat swing; “Shiny Stockings” resonating with memories of Count Basie; “Lush Life” in a fashion that retained its sardonic edge without sacrificing its inherent jazz qualities.

And that was just the beginning. As he continued through his set, Tuzzolino’s multiple skills became even more apparent. His scat singing was the real thing, moving imaginatively and articulately through a song’s harmonies, often making his voice the lead element in orchestral-like keyboard harmonies.

Add to that the warm muscularity of his sound, a solidly rhythmic sense of phrasing and his respect for the storytelling aspects of a song’s lyrics, and the result is a first-rate jazz vocal talent.

Tuzzolino was superbly aided by Capp and Most, their easygoing connectivity the product of having spent a great deal of time working together while thoroughly enjoying the process.

But the evening belonged to Tuzzolino, his effectiveness as a performer reflected in the club being jammed with listeners for his opening set--an astonishing turnout for a Monday night. And the only question about his splendid singing and playing was how long it will take for Tuzzolino to receive the breakout attention his talent so clearly merits.

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The Pat Tuzzolino Trio with Frankie Capp and Sam Most at Charlie O’s Bar & Grill, 13725 Victory Blvd., Valley Glen. Mondays from 8 p.m. to midnight. No cover; no minimum. (818) 994-3058.