An intriguing evening of first-rate teamwork

First-rate jazz can be found in every major city in the country. But the economics of the business make it difficult for fans in any single location to experience the full scope of the genre’s wide-ranging talent.

However, the growth of single-night venues has begun to make it possible for ambitious, lesser-known players to assemble small quick-hit tours. Which is what the New York-based husband-and-wife team of bassist Mary Ann McSweeney and valve trombonist Mike Fahn have been doing across California for the last week, playing dates from Seal Beach to Santa Cruz.

Each leads its own group, and on Friday, the Mary Ann McSweeney Quintet (with Fahn, saxophonist Chuck Manning, guitarist Steve Cardenas and drummer Dave Hocker) performed before a full house in a Jazz at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art program.

The instrumentation, with its potentially attractive blending of sounds from saxophone, guitar and trombone, produced some intriguing results.

McSweeney’s arrangement of “Amazing Grace,” for example, transformed the familiar theme via lines that intertwined through her unique variations on the harmony.

Her original piece, “Nana’s Tango,” positioned a flowing melody line, stretched-out improvisations and her own propulsive bass lines over a mesmerizing tango rhythm.

The attractive set was further aided by imaginative soloing from Fahn, one of the jazz world’s rare valve trombonists.

Cardenas’ floating lines (occasionally reminiscent of Gabor Szabo) and Manning’s always dependable soprano and tenor saxophone work were the final touch, adding inventive appeal to an ensemble that deserves an even wider hearing.