“I know how privileged we are to have a club like this”
So exuded guitarist Chico Pinheiro, just before reminding the packed Sam FIrst Bar of the rewards of a local jazz club with a 70 minute set that showcased the best local talent at, well, their best.
Joined together with pianist Vardan Ovsepian, drummer Clarence Penn and bassist David Robaire, Pinheiro displayed his clear and fluid tone on a supple reading of “Tepestade” that had the rhythm team in rich rapport, digging in deep around Ovsepian’s creative solo. Pinheiro’s soft moody chords and droplets of single notes created thoughts of a rainforest of percussive ideas from Penn on the graceful read of Wayne Shorter’s “Fall”, as the leader never overplayed his hand on note selection. Guitar and piano danced in delightful unison on the tender and conversational “Varella” before the rest of the band slowly sauntered in stage left. Pinheiro’s introduction to “Triads” was sonata-like in romanticism, in rhapsodic ease over Penn’s lively gallop,’ whereas Penn’s brushes on the subtle samba of Antonio Jobim’s “If You Never Dome To Me” created a soothing foundation for Ovsepian’s soulful soloing.
Things got most frisky at the close, as Pinheiro and Ovsepian intertwined around Penn’s clever stick work and shadow boxing on Carla Bley’s “Donkey”. Ovsepian was in full fisted mood, adding to the ricochet’s created by Robaire and Penn, with Pinheiro weaving his way through like a pedestrian getting through Times Square.
The mix of artistry and adventure, all created in-the-moment, is why Pinheiro is becoming known as one of the most important up and rising guitarists, and each member of the band a reason why the LA jazz scene still survives and thrives.
Upcoming shows at Samfirst Bar include Gerald Clayton’s “Tuesday Happenings” 09/05-12-19, Micole McCabe’s Tristano Project, Danny Janklow 09/07 and Josh Nelson w/ Anthony Wilson 09/08-09