Vocalese with ease from Mr. Z

His names have been as varied as his career. Call him by his birth name, Zaxariades, or by the more truncated title on his new CD, “Mr. Z.” Or call him Bruce Scott, the appellation he used during a lengthy acting career including a role in “Jesus Christ Superstar” and an appearance in the cult “Flesh Gordon” movies.

But the words that kept coming to mind during his electrifying performance at Catalina Bar & Grill on Wednesday had less to do with labels than with astonishment over the range, diversity and depth of his performing skills.

Zaxariades’ effortless romps through the thorny vocalese mazes of Jon Hendricks’ lyrics for Horace Silver’s “Come On Home” and Miles Davis’ “Four” clearly supported Hendricks’ assertion that Zaxariades is “the best singer out there to carry on” his tradition.

That accomplishment alone would be enough to drive some careers. Scat singing and vocalese are often attempted, rarely accomplished. But Zaxariades had much more to offer. His balladry -- especially in an unusual rendering of Lennon & McCartney’s “I’ll Follow the Sun” -- merged classic songbook style with a crossover contemporary sound.

His between-song patter (and whimsical handling of a faulty microphone on “Moody’s Mood for Love”) had the quick-wittedness of a first-rate stand-up comedian. And he capped off his set with atmospheric bossa nova renderings of “Desafinado” and “Estate” in which he provided his own excellent guitar accompaniment.

All of which left one wondering why this gifted, versatile artist has had such relatively low visibility. Singer-producer Michael Konik -- who wrapped up his weekly presentations for 2005 at Catalina’s with a hard-swinging duet romp with Zaxariades on “Centerpiece” -- deserves considerable credit for frequently featuring Mr. Z.

He also assured the enthusiastic audiences that Zaxariades would once again be on the bills when Konik’s regular Tuesday night presentations resume in March. But fans of envelope-stretching vocal music, sung with galvanizing spirit and enthusiasm, would do well to check the club listings for every opportunity to hear this remarkable artist in action.