Stern needs a lesson in ‘less is more’

Ever wonder how many notes can be jammed into a single jazz guitar solo?

Mike Stern seemed in search of the answer Tuesday in his opening set at Catalina Bar & Grill. The multiple-Grammy nominee, whose resume includes gigs with Miles Davis as well as Blood, Sweat & Tears, devoted virtually every improvisation in his lengthy program to finger-busting excursions across the strings of his guitar.

There’s nothing wrong with technical virtuosity, of course, even for its own sake. And it’s no surprise that Stern’s appearances at the club usually draw crowds of young musicians, taking advantage of the student discounts for the late shows.

But his most recent album, “Voices,” released in late 2001, revealed a musical perspective reaching well beyond his unquestioned ability to generate fabulous flurries of notes. Although he played selections from the album in his set -- selections in which his melodic interaction with tenor saxophonist Bob Sheppard attractively recalled the musically multilayered qualities of the record -- far more of the program was dedicated to high-intensity rhythmic burners.

Stern was aided in that respect by bassist Victor Wooten and drummer Lionel Cordew, two experts in propulsive excitement. By the close of the set, however, the rhythmic drive and the nonstop torrent of notes had largely lost their power to excite. And one wished for fewer notes and a much more insightful view of the Stern art that lies beyond his technical proficiency.

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Mike Stern

Where: Catalina Bar & Grill, 1640 N. Cahuenga Blvd., L.A.

When: Today, Saturday and Sunday, 8:30 and 10:30 p.m.

Price: $18 to $22, plus two-drink minimum

Information: (323) 466-2210