An Important Set From Bunnett’s Ensemble

Jane Bunnett and her Spirits of Havana ensemble arrived at the Jazz Bakery on Thursday night at the close of a long, confusing day of travel. Like millions of other Americans, their travel plans, as well as their emotions, were drastically affected by the tragic events in New York City and Washington.

Traveling from performances earlier in the week at Yoshi’s in Oakland, they finally arrived at the Culver City spot at 9 p.m., tired, a bit haggard after hours on train and bus, but eager to play in the spirit of tribute and renewal.

Even before Tuesday’s violent events, Bunnett’s ensemble had been affected by nonmusical considerations when political entanglements made it impossible for her to use some of her Cuban regulars for the current tour. But the replacements more than made up the difference, in quality as well as in the new perspectives they brought to the music.

The appearance was part of an effort to stir up interest in Bunnett’s upcoming album, “Alma De Santiago,” scheduled for release in late October. A highlight from the album, the lovely Miguel Matamoros Cuban standard “Lagrimas Negras,” was the most powerful number of the evening. Performed as a duet between Bunnett, playing soprano saxophone, and Cuban pianist David Virelles, 17, it was a stunning combination of emotional expressiveness combined with exploratory musicality.

Bunnett set the bar high from the start, opening the set with a long solo cadenza introduction to “Santos Suarez,” in which her virtuosic brilliance was on display.

In the thicket of today’s crop of saxophonists, her individuality and imagination once again revealed that she is both an important and underappreciated artist. The efforts she has made, with husband and partner Larry Cramer (who joins her in the group’s front line on trumpet and fluegelhorn), to explore the adventurous links between jazz and Cuban music have resulted in compelling creative discoveries.

Although Bunnett could not include some of the numbers on the new album that were performed with the brilliant Santiago Jazz Saxophone Quartet, her group did feature percussionist Pedrito Martinez, winner of last year’s Monk Institute hand percussion award, bassist Roberto Occhipinti, drummer Mark McLean and the gifted Virelles. The latter is almost certain to emerge as an important Bunnett discovery. Already a masterful bop player (who has transcribed many of Bud Powell’s solos), Virelles also displayed a sophisticated sense of harmony and a mature capacity to generate powerful jazz rhythms.

Despite the atmosphere of uncertainty that has permeated virtually every activity this week, Bunnett and the Spirits of Havana offered a superb, even important, set of music.

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Jane Bunnett and Spirits of Havana at the Jazz Bakery, 3233 Helms Ave., Culver City. Tonight and Sunday at 8 and 9:30 p.m. $22. (310) 271-9039.