Key Asset

Meet Paul Kreibich, pianist.

Of course, most of us know the tall, lean Kreibich as one of the finest jazz drummers in Los Angeles, a man who has both the subtlety and snap to really swing a rhythm section. And that’s the role he’ll assume when he plays tonight at Monty’s Steakhouse in Woodland Hills (as part of pianist Claude Williamson’s trio) and again on Friday (when he works with guitarists John Pisano and Barry Zweig at Chadney’s in Burbank).

But Kreibich, an L.A. native who lives near Marina Del Rey, has been playing piano since he was a preteen, and what was once just a hobby has turned into a serious asset to his drumming.

“I’m always trying to learn more about what’s going on harmonically with the tunes,” he said. “I feel like my drumming is related to that. When I know the harmony, then I can play the drums as if they were a melody instrument, and the whole sound of the group is more cohesive. The more I learn about standard tunes, chord progressions and harmonic conception, the better musician I become.”

Kreibich has been heard with numerous greats, from Ray Charles and Red Rodney to his current post as pianist Gene Harris’ drummer. He cites Paul Motian, the trapsman who made his mark with piano great Bill Evans’ trio, as influential.

“Paul played in a very unconventional manner,” Kreibich said. “He was really taking care of the basics of timekeeping and propelling the groove. At the same time, he added melodic and rhythmic commentary and accents that put him on essentially an equal melodic level with the bass and piano.”

These days, assessing the skills he acquired during almost 25 years as a professional, Kreibich finds that what he wants to do is play a good groove. “That’s so important,” said Kreibich, who defined “groove” as “where all elements of the music are moving forward in an appealing and relaxed way that causes the musicians and listeners to be transported.”

When he was a child, as with many aspiring drummers, Kreibich started out hitting stacks of newspapers with sticks. He got his first drum at age 9 and was spurred on by hearing drum demon Buddy Rich. By age 15, he was a working professional, doing five nights a week with a singer named Elaine Thomas. Later, she was one of the Raelettes when Kreibich played with Ray Charles in 1969-70.

“He was a big influence, because he allowed me to grow and get experience,” Kreibich said of Charles. “I learned about being a professional. And his emphasis on the blues prepared me to work with Gene Harris.”

Kreibich looks forward to working with Williamson, with whom he recorded “Hallucinations,” a recent and first-rate album of Bud Powell tunes, and with Pisano and Zweig, top L.A.-area guitarists.

Pisano has long been a major name in jazz, while North Hollywood resident Zweig is coming into his own. Kreibich is happy for him.

* Paul Kreibich plays tonight, 8 to 11:30, with Claude Wiliamson’s trio (Bob Maize, bass) at Monty’s Steakhouse, 5371 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills. No cover, no minimum. (818) 716-9736. He also appears Friday, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., with John Pisano and Barry Zweig at Chadney’s, 3000 W. Olive St., Burbank. No cover, one-drink minimum per show. (818) 843-5333.

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Speaking of Grooves: Another master of swinging grooves is Frank Capp, who’s been laying down great time in our climes for over 40 years with the likes of Stan Getz, Andre Previn and his own Juggernaut Big Band. Catch that roaring Count Basie-style ensemble, with the added graces of blues-minded vocalist Barbara Morrison, on Tuesday, 8 and 10 p.m., at the Moonlight (13730 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks; $13 cover for 8 p.m. show, $9 cover for 10 p.m., $9.95 food or drink minimum; (818) 788-2000.