A Classical Touch

For years, keyboardist-composer David Goldblatt put most of his energies into writing soundtracks and shorter “cues” for film and TV. He still embraces that work--he and a colleague are currently collaborating on a score for a low-budget feature movie.

But his emphasis is now on the acoustic piano, which he began to study at age 6 and which he has played as a jazz professional since his early 20s.

“I’m totally focused back into the music, and it’s a very nice place to be,” said the 40-year-old Goldblatt, who lives in West Hills with his wife, Kimmer, and their 1-year-old son, Jordan.

“I’ve done a lot of different things, worked hard and made decent money. But it’s not as fulfilling as sitting at the piano for hours, and feeling that growth.”

A compelling improviser, Goldblatt plays standards and originals with saxophonist Doug Webb’s jazz quartet on Wednesdays at Spazio in Sherman Oaks.

He started with the classical regimen, and these days he’s drawn to it again.

“I’m practicing pieces like Chopin’s ‘Revolutionary Etude’ and some Scriabin preludes,” he said. “The classical feeds the jazz so much via the touch, the dynamics, the technique, the lyricism. If I never practice jazz and only practice classical, the jazz gets better.”

Although the money’s not pouring in, Goldblatt is working regularly. More important, he feels good.

“There’s a lifetime of music-making still to be done,” he said.

“But I want it to be stuff that I want to do.”

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In Brief: For top jazz-fusion, check out the Dino Four with keyboardist Greg Mathieson, guitarist Michael Landau, bassist Abraham Laboriel and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta tonight and Saturday at 9 p.m. at the Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd., North Hollywood. (818) 980-1615 . . . Susan Krebs, a talented singer with wit and energy, performs standards and jazz songs Thursday at 7 p.m. at Monteleone’s West, 19337 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana. (818) 996-0662).

BE THERE

David Goldblatt plays with Doug Webb’s quartet Wednesdays from 9 p.m. to midnight at Spazio, 14755 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. No cover, no minimum. Call (818) 728-8400.

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Zan Stewart writes about jazz for the Valley Edition. He can be reached at zansky@aol.com.