Cameroonian offers unique soundscapes

The first sound out of Gino Sitson’s mouth Tuesday at the Jazz Bakery was a high, piercing falsetto phrase, followed by wind-like rustling, interspersed low notes, a whispering sequence of syllables and an insistent finger-tapping on the microphone. It was a taste of things to come.

The music of the amiable, engaging singer from Cameroon is very much a work in progress, an unfolding, rainbow-hued landscape of sounds and rhythms. Others have preceded him in creating a colorful blend of African elements with American jazz, from Hugh Masekela to Manu Dibango. Sitson, however, has a unique vision, founded on a four-octave vocal range reminiscent of Bobby McFerrin, enhanced by a creative imagination enriched by his Cameroon upbringing, his studies in Paris and his current immersion in the jazz world of New York City.

His startling opening was followed by continued variations on the same theme -- an extraordinarily pliable voice in settings rich with melody, emotion and rhythm. Sitson sang for the most part in Medumba, one of the numerous languages of Cameroon, but the feelings he communicated were universal, unrestricted by specifics of language. Backed by pianist Helio Alves, bassist Lonnie Plaxico and drummer Willard Dyson, he offered selections from his current album, “Song Zin,” and previewed a few numbers from a recording currently in production.

Sitson’s lighthearted between-songs descriptions of the music and his background provided easy entry into his virtuosic sound making. And his equally fascinating, offbeat rhythms were energized by accented layering rarely found in straight-ahead jazz.

In that sense, Sitson is bringing innovative elements to the music, blending the complexities of African polyrhythms with the drive and swing of African American jazz. Not quite fully in focus, his performance was nonetheless mesmerizing, the work of a potentially important, beyond-boundaries jazz artist.

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Gino Sitson

Where: The Jazz Bakery, 3233 Helms Ave., Culver City.

When: Tonight-Sunday, 8 and 9:30 p.m.

Price: $25

Info: (310) 271-9039