‘Nocturne’ Jazz Blends Latin Melodies

The sharp angles and metal surfaces of the Knitting Factory’s determinedly contemporary performance space met the tranquil melodies and rich history of the music from Charlie Haden’s “Nocturne” recording Monday in the opening performance of a three-night run. And, amazingly, they turned out to be compatible.

Haden is surely one of the most thoughtful producers of jazz recordings, in part because of his willingness to place the music, rather than his own presence, at front and center of the performance.

With “Nocturne,” he chose a program largely consisting of classic songs from Cuba and Mexico (including one, “Tres Palabras,” previously recorded by Coleman Hawkins and Joe Henderson). The songs have tender, arching melodies in the tradition of the bolero, underscored with gently insistent rhythms. Not what one ordinarily hears--or even expects to hear--in the edgy musical environment of the Knitting Factory. But the full-house crowd for both sets listened, entranced, as the Haden ensemble offered most of the tunes from the highly praised CD.

Haden’s role was intensely supportive, but typically modest. Standing in the shadows at the rear of the stage for the entire program, he spoke only at the beginning to introduce the full list of songs. He stepped forward at the close to acknowledge the players after his only brief solo during an encore number. Yet his dark-sounding bass lines, almost subliminal in volume, paired perfectly with drummer Ignacio Berroa’s subtle brush work.

Center stage was almost completely dedicated to the playing of tenor saxophonist David Sanchez, violinist Federico Britos Ruiz and pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba. Intimately familiar with most of the songs, Rubalcaba offered a series of stunning improvisations, transforming the material without losing touch with its fundamentally romantic qualities. Rubalcaba’s work affirmed that he is quickly becoming one of the finest pianists in jazz.

Sanchez, seeming a bit out of sync at the start of the second set, finally found his pace, more so when he was soaring lightly through airy, upper-register, high-note phrases than in the passages in which the more aggressive tendencies associated with his own ensemble broke through. And Ruiz, primarily a melodist on the recording, revealed unsung improvisatory skills, interacting especially well with Sanchez.

It was Haden’s ever adventurous vision that was at the heart of the evening, however. By the time the set was concluded he had amply proven his undefined, but insistent notion that--with the right players--there could be an appealing creative interface between jazz improvisation and a collection of graceful Latin ballads.

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Charlie Haden and Nocturne at the Knitting Factory, 7021 Hollywood Blvd. Tonight at 8 and 10 p.m. $25. (323) 463-0204.