‘Mountain’ is short on high points

The words “mountain music” suggest Appalachian bluegrass, Peruvian panpipes, Swiss alphorns or Austrian yodeling. As different from each other as those niches may be, however, they possess a common desire for musical space and openness.

Dave Douglas’ group Nomad, performing Wednesday at the Jazz Bakery, occasionally displayed a similar regard for clear air sounds in its explorations of music from the new CD, “Mountain Passages.” But not nearly often enough.

More frequently, the five-piece ensemble -- trumpeter Douglas, saxophonist Myron Walden, cellist Rubin Kodheli, tuba player Marcus Rojas and drummer Tyshawn Sorey -- filled too many musical cracks and crevices to allow much light to peek through.

For the most part, the pieces -- almost all unidentified by title -- showcased Douglas’ trumpet. Sometimes playing with a mute, sometimes playing open, he always displayed the adventurous, beyond-genre characteristics that make him one of jazz’s most intriguing players. Those segments -- as well as briefer passages in which Walden had the opportunity to mine his warm sound and eclectic style -- gave the performance its most engaging moments.

The glitches in the music traced to the layers of sound behind the principal soloists. Textures in which tuba, cello and Walden’s bass clarinet were active together had a turgid, grounding effect on the rhythm. Melodies tinged with folk-song qualities lost their touching simplicity in cushions of sound.

Only once -- in a tribute song to Douglas’ late father, a mountain runner -- did the music fully achieve the clarity he sought. Otherwise, it was a fascinating, high-altitude idea that got lost in the clouds.

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Dave Douglas & Nomad

Where: The Jazz Bakery, 3233 Helms Ave., L.A.

When: 8 and 9:30 tonight and Saturday night

Price: $35

Contact: (310) 271-9039