JAZZ REVIEW : Bobby Hutcherson Offers a Seminar in Rhythm

Observing vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson in action is a unique audiovisual experience. During his opening set Wednesday at Hollywood’s Vine St. Bar & Grill (he closes Saturday), the first tune, a prestissimo blues, was a blur of endless phrases, of flying mallets that resembled a multiple-exposure photograph, with a restless left foot pumping away at the pedal and Hutcherson executing a little near-dance as his compatible rhythm section urged him on.

Now and then, after a pregnant pause between phrases, he would swipe the next note as if in fury. But along with the vitality and energy of his showpiece tunes, a slow, pensive “Never Let Me Go” and the loping medium-tempo “Witchcraft” were fascinating examples of a gentler aspect of his personality.

It takes a powerful group of accompanists to keep pace with Hutcherson. He has them in pianist Bill Henderson (not the singer), whose fleet lines complement his own; in drummer Larance Marable, whose solos were consistently discreet; and in the steady, always-in-tune bass of Jeff Littleton.

Although there seems to have been almost no preparation, Henderson and Littleton read music when it was needed, as in Herbie Hancock’s “One Finger Snap.” It is regretable that an artist of Hutcherson’s caliber does not keep an organized unit together; too bad also that there is no space here for a marimba, on which he can double so intriguingly. Still, it seems pointless to lament what is missing when this musician has so much to offer in a night club setting.