Pianist Tyner Gives Free Rein to His Extraordinary Powers

It’s probably understandable that jazz attracts so many pianists. The instrument is, after all, a kind of complete orchestra in itself, simultaneously melodic, harmonic and percussive. And piano lessons are still part of many children’s musical upbringing. So why shouldn’t there be a plethora of keyboardists on the scene?

Being on the scene and having a personal musical identity are not precisely the same thing, of course. The sound of Bill Evans has been coursing through the jazz piano world for decades, as has the equally identifiable influence of Bud Powell, Herbie Hancock and Art Tatum. But I suspect that over the past decade or so, the principal source of inspiration for many young artists has been McCoy Tyner.

With considerable cause. Although he first came to prominence as the harmonic engine that drove the classic John Coltrane ensembles of the ‘60s, Tyner has never stopped evolving musically, while retaining the unique rippling arpeggios and powerful chording that are essential elements in his style.

Tyner has played in every imaginable setting, but his most remarkable outings almost always take place when he performs as a soloist, an environment that seems to give free play to the sudden twists and turns of his musical imagination. On Wednesday night at the Jazz Bakery, he was in brilliant form, triggering his seemingly nonstop creativity with a program ranging from standards and blues to originals (including Coltrane’s challenging “Lazy Bird”).

Performing on a 9-foot Yamaha grand piano, Tyner used every bit of the instrument’s considerable resources. The setting had a recital-like quality, with a full-house audience in attendance. Tyner rewarded their rapt attention with an astonishing assortment of sounds, ranging from small, triple-pianissimo passages to thundering, percussive low notes.

He was alternately lyrical--on pieces such as “For All We Know”--down-home funky on “St. Louis Blues” and far-out, envelope-stretching on the Coltrane number and his own, darkly emotional dedication to his mother, “Miss B.” There wasn’t a moment that wasn’t compelling--sheer piano jazz magic, a superb display of a mature artist at the peak of his powers.

* McCoy Tyner at the Jazz Bakery, 3233 Helms Ave., Culver City. Today through Sunday at 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., $25 admission. (310) 271-9039.