For Jon Hendricks, hyperbole is merited

Words such as “iconic,” “renowned” and “legendary” are bandied about far too easily these days. But on Thursday at the Jazz Bakery, each of those hyperbolic adjectives was applicable to the performance by the -- yes -- iconic, renowned and legendary singer-lyricist Jon Hendricks.

His performance, with a four-piece band, offered an affirmation that, at 84, he still has plenty of energy, desire and creative capability. It was less a straight-ahead music presentation than a musical narrative about an extraordinary life in jazz. Stylishly garbed in a white coat, he alternated songs with anecdotal narratives, starting with a crisp, swinging romp through the Lester Young classic “Tickle Toe,” and segueing into a tale about his years as a teenage vaudeville performer.

“Mood Indigo” -- a variation of the Ellington song as it was interpreted by trumpeter Shorty Baker, with lyrics by Hendricks -- was followed by a darkly humorous description of Hendricks’ uneven passage through his World War II Army tour in Europe. Appropriately, the next number was Benny Golson’s “Blues March.”

The set continued in similar fashion, highlighted by a spot-on characterization of Thelonious Monk in a story about Hendricks’ writing of the lyrics for the Monk tune “Pannonica.” Oddly, however, Hendricks elected not to sing “Pannonica,” opting instead to do the more upbeat “Rhythm-A-Ning.” But no problem; it, too, was a marvel.

As a lyricist and a singer, Hendricks’ strong suit is his capacity to stay in touch with his material -- whether it’s a previously created jazz solo, a standard, or a reinvention of a song from another language -- while investing it with his imaginative qualities. That talent was present all evening, in ballads, vocalese takes on jazz solos and spontaneous scatting.

Hendricks wound up the rare and wonderful evening by leading a brief vocal-trio rendering of a few numbers from the songbook of his ‘50s/’60s group, Lambert, Hendricks & Ross.

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Jon Hendricks

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

When: 8 and 9:30 tonight

Price: $35

Contact: (310) 271-9039