JAZZ REVIEW : Gene Harris and His Band Pay Tribute to Count Basie at Loa

From the opening strains of “Swingin’ the Blues” to the familiar three-note closing signature of Count Ba-sie, pianist Gene Harris and his All Star Big Band paid swinging tribute to the late bandleader Thursday night at the Loa in Santa Monica.

But imitation was not the sincerest form of flattery served up by Harris and company. Indeed, the band, which ran through nine tunes during its 1 1/2-hour opening set, did little to imitate Basie’s sound. Rather, it captured the spirit and precision swing for which Basie was noted.

In a way, Harris’ band was what Basie’s band failed to be during the leader’s last few years: adventurous, daring, fresh.

The power of Harris’ band was pleasantly overwhelming in the small confines of the Loa. Though a couple of ballads were offered, including a remarkable trio outing by Harris, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Jeff Hamilton on Neal Hefti’s “Lil’ Darlin’,” the band concentrated on barn burners.

“Dejection Blues,” written by bassist Brown and performed at an easy pace, was big and brassy, as was Duke Ellington’s “Battle Royal” and the opening “Swingin’ the Blues,” which served as a showcase for trumpeters Oscar Brashear, Snooky Young, Bobby Bryant and Conte Candoli.

Featured in several solo outings was tenor saxophonist Pete Christlieb, whose powerful sound and daring approach was best displayed on “Battle Royal,” “Captain Bill” and “Riled Up.” The latter tune, written by Frank Wess, who also contributed the arrangement of Ahmad Jamal’s mystifying “Night Mist Blues” to Harris’ book, was simply a monster tune that showcased the entire band at breakneck speed and in full swing.

Harris, who typically works in trio settings, has made a comfortable home for himself in this big-band setting. Too bad it will end tonight.