Miller is a versatile virtuoso

Marcus Miller is one of the jazz world’s true multi-hyphenates. Check out an area of contemporary music and he’s probably been there at one time or another, with producing credits that reach from David Sanborn and Luther Vandross to Miles Davis and Wayne Shorter, an impressive string of his own albums (including the Grammy-winning “M2”) and a burgeoning film-music career.

Miller’s versatility reaches into his performances as well, which characteristically present him in multi-instrumentalist mode, and his performance at Catalina Bar & Grill on Tuesday was a showcase for his extraordinary virtuosity. Although there were five other musicians onstage, Miller was constantly the center of attention.

After kicking off the set with his snapping, electric bass lines on the funk-driven “Power of Soul,” he followed with excursions on soprano saxophone and bass clarinet, tossed in some groove lines on an electric keyboard and topped everything off with a brief, convincing vocal. All this took place throughout a cluster of tunes mixing Miller originals with Miles Davis’ “So What” and Lennon-McCartney’s “Come Together.”

Guitarist Dean Brown, trumpeter Michael “Patches” Stewart, saxophonist Roger Byam, keyboardist Bruce Flowers and drummer Poogie Bell formed a crisp, well-coordinated unit, ripping through the arranged passages with ease, occasionally adding attractive solos.

But Miller was the unquestionable star, fully in command, often striding the stage to allow other players to share segments of his extended improvisations. To his credit, he used his artistic preeminence and his leadership responsibilities with creative skill and persuasive musicality.

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Marcus Miller

Where: Catalina Bar & Grill, 1640 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood

When: Tonight-Saturday, 8:30 and 10:30 p.m.; Sunday, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.

Price: $20-$35. With two-drink minimum or dinner.

Contact: (323) 466-2210