Making the familiar seem new

The ageless bundle of musical inventiveness and outrageous humor named James Moody just keeps rolling along. On Saturday he brought his irrepressible presence to Clancy’s Crab Shack in Glendale -- a warm and homey room that is quickly emerging as an important weekend jazz destination.

Working with the stellar accompaniment of pianist Bill Cunliffe, bassist Tony Dumas and drummer Ralph Penland, the veteran saxophonist-flutist displayed his remarkable ability to mine new, engaging musical riches from the familiar lode of pop and jazz standards. Moody’s soloing in tunes such as “Green Dolphin Street,” “I Can’t Get Started,” “Wave” and “St. Thomas” was delivered in the vocabulary of bebop, but the messages were all original, expressions of an improvisational mind constantly exploring new, fascinating passages through familiar chordal harmonies.

His playing was a reminder of the fact that the jazz repertoire -- like the classical -- is constantly examined, reexamined and invigorated by new interpretations. At 77, Moody continues to explore that repertoire with inventiveness and imagination. His companions, all from younger generations, added their own perspectives to the material. Cunliffe’s love of bebop was apparent in his every phrase; Penland was his usual combination of musical subtlety and rhythmic drive; and Dumas played a series of melodically engaging choruses.

No Moody set would be complete without a healthy serving of his inimitable, off-the-wall wit. And so, he tossed in a few random jokes between tunes and concluded with his hilariously bawdy version of “Pennies From Heaven” -- retitled “Benny’s From Heaven.”