Swinging tribute to Goodman a showcase for flame-carrier

The music of Benny Goodman was in the air Saturday at Cal State Northridge’s Center for the Visual and Performing Arts. Not from the King of Swing himself, of course -- he died in 1986 -- but in the playing of a musician who Goodman mentioned as a prime candidate for carrying the torch of the jazz clarinet: Eddie Daniels.

In a program overflowing with Goodman-associated tunes, Daniels made a convincing case for the recommendation. But he did so without emulating Goodman, emphasizing instead his own unique musical persona.

Daniels’ individuality was apparent in such classics as “Memories of You,” “It Had to Be You,” “Stompin’ at the Savoy” and “After You’ve Gone,” the first two rendered with an ear-caressing, warm-toned sound; the last two with fluid virtuosity and a burning, rhythmic swing. His masterful control of the instrument’s rich, expressive potential allowed him to move through the upper register with extraordinary tenderness, then shift suddenly into tornadoes of notes swarming across the length and breadth of his horn.

Backing was provided by a sterling ensemble of local musicians -- pianist Tom Rainier, bassist Dave Carpenter and drummer Peter Erskine -- playing with supple, rhythmic intensity, offering an understated but supportive, wind-beneath-his-wings accompaniment for Daniels’ flights of improvisational fancy. Topping off an entertaining evening, Rainier doubled the tribute to Goodman by picking up his own clarinet on a pair of numbers (including Tommy Dorsey’s theme song, “I’m Getting Sentimental Over You”) to knock out an impressive exchange of riffs with Daniels.