Trumpeter Harrell and Rich, Understated Emotion

There is an inexorable sense of rightness in artistic expression--of whatever genre--in the hands of a truly gifted artist. Think of Van Gogh’s sunflowers, a Mozart melody, a Gershwin phrase, and the constant thought that comes to mind is, of course, how could it possibly be done any other way?

Trumpeter Tom Harrell’s playing often tends to evoke a similar reaction. Although he is fully in command of the technical capabilities of both trumpet and fluegelhorn, he rarely relies upon virtuosic note displays. Although he seems capable of doing so, he seldom punches out top-of-the-horn high notes for their sheer exhibitionistic value.

What Harrell does do is spin out improvisational lines filled with instant melodies. Like a lyricist who illuminates phrases with subtle internal rhymes, Harrell’s soloing captivates both the hearts and the minds of his listeners.

On Tuesday night at the Jazz Bakery, Harrell, leading a quintet consisting of tenor saxophonist Jimmy Greene, pianist Xavier Davis, bassist Ugonna Okegwo and drummer Quincy Davis, offered a collection of music tailored for improvisational soloing and interaction, as well as a sprinkling of selections from the carefully crafted but vigorously swinging originals that represent yet another facet of his many skills.

Harrell, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, presented--as a side effect of his medication--a muted, seemingly detached onstage appearance. At least when he wasn’t playing, that is. But once he placed his horn to his lips, the rich emotions and cool rationality that lay behind his visible exterior came flowing out through his music.

Those qualities were apparent during a penetrating rendering of the Matt Dennis standard, “Everything Happens to Me,” accompanied only by Davis’ lush piano accompaniment. Never straying far from the melody, Harrell’s soloing had the understated layering of emotions one associates with the finest jazz vocalists, shifting a phrase here, adding a tiny enhancing flurry of notes there, constantly reaching for the inner life of the song.

Davis also contributed a series of sparkling solos of his own, and Green’s big, brash saxophone sound provided the perfect extroverted counter for Harrell’s inner searching. The always dependable Okegwo and Davis laid down a solid foundation of rhythmic support.

The Tom Harrell Quintet at the Jazz Bakery, 3233 Helms Ave., L.A. Tonight through Sunday at 8 and 9:30 p.m. $25. (310) 271-9039.