JAZZ REVIEW : Pianist Tapscott’s Relaxed Jam Doesn’t Miss Beat

Pianist Horace Tapscott’s late set at Catalina Bar & Grill Thursday night had the loose, relaxed feeling of jam-session jazz.

With a small, obviously enthusiastic group of listeners in the room, Tapscott, who closes tonight, limited his program to four long, extended pieces overflowing with fascinating solos from each member of his quintet.

Despite the loose and easy qualities of the music, however, the compositions were not lacking in technical demands. One, “Playtude” called for improvisations over a tricky sequence of changes alternating between 7/4 and 4/4 meters. Others combined complex be-bop-styled licks and Coltranesque rhythms.

Saxophonist Michael Sessions was the most consistently mesmerizing soloist, playing a series of choruses on soprano, alto and tenor saxophones that incorporated elements of Coltrane, Ornette Coleman and Charlie Parker into a remarkably well-integrated creative whole. Thurmon Green on trombone, Roberto Miranda on bass and Fritz Wise on drums were almost equally appealing.

Tapscott played a relatively modest role as leader, limiting his solos to the Thelonious Monk and McCoy Tyner-inspired chordal and rhythmic bursts, which are intrinsic to his style. Tapscott may not be the most technically adroit pianist in jazz, but he always manages to figure out a way to get the job done.