JAZZ REVIEW : FRESH APPROACH BY ART BLAKEY’S SEXTET

There is perhaps no more enduring or durable figure in all of jazz than drummer Art Blakey, who opened a four-night stand at Concerts by the Sea in Redondo Beach on Thursday night.

At 66, he is into his fourth decade of leading the Jazz Messengers, a sextet whose casts of players have included more jazz greats than any other single unit in the history of the music.

During Thursday’s opening set, the gospel according to Blakey was spread with the broiling exuberance that has marked each of his groups of messengers. Though the tunes have changed--his library is typically heavy with contributions by his current players--Blakey’s patented hard bop has not.

Eyes rolled back and the beaming smile of a proud father on his face, Blakey underscored the opening “Two of a Kind,” a composition by trumpeter Terence Blanchard, with a thundering rhythm that seemed constantly on the verge of eruption. The intensity was shared by his co-players as the solo hat was passed around.

The same general effect was created on the following “scenic route” by pianist Mulgrew Miller. Solos by Miller, Blanchard and alto saxophonist Donald Harrison were extraordinary.

Tenor saxophonist Jean Toussaint had his moment in the spotlight during a ballad rendition of Cole Porter’s “I Love You.” His wide range and beautiful tone were bested only by his steady flow of ideas that took the songs through three rhythmic changes before segueing into Sonny Rollins’ “St. Thomas.” Miller and bassist Lonnie Plaxico provided beautiful support.

A closing “Full of Love,” by Bobby Watson, best epitomized the musical nature of the Jazz Messengers. At a breakneck tempo, the three-horn front line blew the initial melodic statements in unison before altering the melodic and harmonic choruses of the tune in a series of improvised solos.

Blakey and Company, en route to Japan and Europe before returning to the area for an appearance at the Playboy Jazz Festival in June, close Sunday. For a jazz message as fresh as the morning, don’t miss this edition of the Jazz Messengers.