A Select Few Hear Monk Sextet’s Hard Bop

It’s a bit hard to tell what motivates people to go out to hear music in these strange, post-Sept. 11 days. On some evenings, venues can be inexplicably full of listeners; on others, artists who might ordinarily expect to draw enthusiastic crowds play to half-empty rooms. In neither case does the attendance seem to have very much to do with the quality of the music.

On Tuesday night at the Jazz Bakery, for example, T.S. Monk’s sextet appeared to be a potentially strong draw, if for no other reason than the fact that the leader is the son of the legendary pianist Thelonious Monk and the founder and director of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz. Add to that the fairly widespread awareness that Monk Jr., a drummer, has led a series of explosively rhythmic ensembles over the past decade.

Despite all that, the audience for the opening set of the Sextet’s six-night run was slim, and one could only marvel that so many Southland jazz fans had missed such an attractive evening of hard bop music. Much of the set, in fact, was more reminiscent of the upfront swinging of Art Blakey than of the more complex melodic/rhythmic mazes of Thelonious Monk.

It’s probably just as well that the younger Monk has elected not to emulate his father’s music. It’s not easy to be the musician offspring of a famous and accomplished musical artist, and digging into new creative areas can be the best way to escape the parent’s omnipresence. In Monk Jr.’s case, that means employing the writing talents of group members--especially saxophonists Willie Williams and Bob Porcelli--with Williams’ “Millennium Dance” and Porcelli’s “Aristocracy” providing pieces combining rapidly moving melodies with high-octane rhythmic swing.

Monk played with a craftsman-like touch, Winston Byrd added some trumpet pyrotechnics, and Dave Jackson’s bass lines pulled everything together. Lingering in the background, the superb hand drummer Big Black was far too unheard. But, given the modest turnout, the same could be said for the entire performance.

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T.S. Monk and his Sextet at the Jazz Bakery, 3233 Helms Ave., Culver City. Tonight through Sunday. $25. Shows at 8 and 9:30 p.m. (310) 271-9039.