Pell Octet Has Fun Reviving Jazz Favorites

“Whatever happened to having fun with jazz?” asked Dave Pell on Friday night, shortly before he went on stage with his octet at the Beverly Garland Holiday Inn in North Hollywood. Then, offering his own solution to the question, he kicked off a high-spirited set of brisk, West Coast cool jazz that had the overflow crowd tapping their feet, snapping their fingers and responding to the soloing with shouts of enthusiasm.

The Pell Octet’s Friday nights at the venue may lose their standing as one of the city’s best jazz secrets. Despite minimal promotion, the performances are drawing full-house audiences, including numerous regular attendees.

And with good cause. The Pell Octet originally came to prominence in the ‘50s and ‘60s with a collection of brisk, melodic arrangements written by the likes of Marty Paich, Bill Holman and John Williams (yes, the “Star Wars” John Williams), supplemented by well-crafted soloing. The revived octet performs the same arrangements with a rotating group of fine players. On Friday, they included Pell on tenor saxophone, trumpeter Carl Saunders, trombonist Bill Reichenbach, baritone saxophonist Bob Efford, guitarist Barry Zweig and the rhythm team of bassist Anders Swanson, pianist Ross Tompkins and drummer Frank Capp.

As good as the playing was, however--and there was some impressive soloing--it was the arrangements, some nearly 50 years old, that stole the spotlight, sounding as fresh and engaging as ever. Equally important was the amiable listening environment established by Pell. Seated on a stool in the front row of the group, exchanging musicians’ barbs with his players, interacting with the many audience members who didn’t hesitate to shout out requests for their favorite tunes, he was clearly determined to make sure everyone had a grand time.

It was, to quote Pell, an evening of fun. But it was an evening of entertaining music as well. And Pell made a convincing case that one doesn’t negate the other--that an evening of pleasant companionship, good food and offbeat humor can also allow plenty of room for first-rate jazz.

* The Dave Pell Octet in the Paradise Cafe at the Beverly Garland Holiday Inn, 4222 Vineland Ave., North Hollywood. Every Friday at 6, 7:30 and 9 p.m. No cover charge. (818) 980-8000.