Norman Provizer’s Jazz Notes | May 21

On Thursday, bassist John Patitucci settles into Dazzle, 930 Lincoln, for a two-night stand with his Electric Guitar Quartet. Raised in northern California, Patitucci played with musicians such as saxophonists Tom Scott and Ernie Watts and pianist Dave Grusin (who hails from Colorado) and began recording a number of discs for the GRP label. He also gained added wide exposure when he became a member of both Chick Corea’s Elektric and Akoustic bands.

More recently, Patitucci has been a long-term member of Wayne Shorter’s quartet along with drummer Brian Blade and pianist Danilo Perez – and the bassist’s own Electric Guitar Quarter has a new disc out titled Brooklyn. On that disc, Patitucci blends his electric bass with Brian Blade’s drums and the guitars of Adam Rogers and Steve Cardenas (who was in town not all that long ago as part of bassist Ben Allison’s band). It’s a combination that works extremely well and the group is at Dazzle on Thursday and Friday at 7 and 9 p.m. (303-839-5100).

Despite the image that its name might conjure up, Patitucci’s quartet is actually a very attractive, nuanced aggregation whether playing the bassist’s originals, Monk tunes or “Go Down Moses.” This is a terrific band and it’s not surprising that several of the sets are sold out. Get in to hear it, if you can.

Interestingly enough, Blade will be back at Dazzle on June 13-14 with his Mama Rosa group in which he doesn’t play drums, but rather sings with a guitar in hand. But his drums will certainly be on hand on Thursday and Friday.

On Friday, another noted comes to town for a visit to the Walnut Room, 3131 Walnut, sponsored by Creative Music Works, an organization launched by Alex Lemski in 1989. That guitarist is David Torn who has a new solo CD out on ECM called Only Sky.

While Torn, who played at the Walnut Room several years ago with saxophonist Tim Berne, is more a Jackson Pollock stylist on guitar than an Impressionist, he is also a composer of scores for television and the movies. The Big Lebowski and Friday Night Lights are examples of that. So, in addition to the sonic exercises on his new disc, there’s also a compelling and attractive track like “Spoke with Folks.” Torn, after all, can be found in the company of David Bowie, Madonna and Sting as well as Berne and other edgy, jazz players. The music is at 8 p.m. with Paul Riola’s Dragonetti Ensemble opening the show before Torn’s solo set (303-295-1868).

Also this week, saxophonist Jim Stranahan’s Little Big Band with Eric Gunnison and Justin Adams is at Dazzle on Saturday at 7 and 9 p.m., while Adam Bartczak’s Republic, a 19-piece big band with a host of fine, area-based players, is at Dazzle on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Then, on Wednesday, saxophonist Keith Oxman and his quintet offer a tribute to the late trumpeter and bandleader Lyn Watkins at Dazzle at 7 p.m. Also on Saturday, pianist Emily Takahashi leads a quintet with Peter Sommer on saxophone at Caffe Sole, 637R S. Broadway in Boulder, at 7 p.m. (303-499-2985). Additionally on Saturday, crossover saxophonist Jackiem Joyner is at the Soiled Dove Underground, 7401 E. 1^st Ave., at 8 p.m. (303-830-9214). Singer Selina Albright opens the show for Joyner and she is also the performer who kicks off this year’s free City Park Jazz summer series in City Park on June 7 at 6 p.m.          

Normanprovizer@aol.com