Museums Draw on Palette of Acts in Summer

Evidence that jazz is alive and not merely a museum piece is increasingly on view, ironically, at the city’s museums. With the long-running, well-attended Friday evening free jazz series at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art leading the way, the city’s grand houses of art continue to look to jazz for the musical color to complement their collections.

As in years past, LACMA won’t be alone this summer as a jazz venue. The Museum of Contemporary Art’s “Summer Nights at MOCA” jazz series, which begins Thursday with drummer Winard Harper’s quintet, offers an especially promising lineup.

The free series, to be held at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA in Little Tokyo through July 31, then at MOCA at the California Plaza downtown on Grand Street beginning in August, runs every Thursday through Sept. 25 and includes a rich cross section of mostly West Coast-based artists.

“Along with a few out-of-town acts, we wanted to focus on established local musicians like Harold Land and Teddy Edwards,” says independent producer Dennis Sullivan, who in conjunction with drummer Billy Higgins booked the series. “These are people who are on the scene but not always getting as much exposure as they deserve. We also wanted to present some of the younger players around town, like [Black Note pianist] Ark Sano, who deserve the notice.”

Kickoff act Harper, the onetime Dexter Gordon and Betty Carter drummer, is a founding member of the Harper Brothers (along with his trumpeter sibling Phillip Harper). The quintet is scheduled to include veteran pianist George Cables.

Following Harper on June 12 is San Francisco-based saxophonist and Qwest label recording artist Robert Stewart’s quartet, which includes drummer Higgins. (Stewart was last seen in L.A. at the Music Center with Wynton Marsalis performing the trumpeter’s Pulitzer Prize-winning opus “Blood on the Fields.”) New Orleans-reared, Los Angeles-based vocalist Sandra Booker sings on June 19.

Other highlights include vocalist Carmen Lundy on July 10, saxophonist Land with Higgins onJuly 17, a rare appearance from saxophonist-singer Vi Redd on July 24, saxophonist Edwards’ quintet on Aug. 7 and drummer Higgins returning with a contingent of his Young World Stage All-Stars on Sept. 18. The series ends with an appearance from respected bebop pianist Barry Harris on Sept. 25 with a band that includes saxophonist Charles McPherson.

The programs run from 5 to 8 p.m. and include wine and beer tasting from various vintners and brewers. The event also includes free admission to the museums. Information: (213) 621-1749.

Upcoming performers at LACMA’s Friday series include Portland-based trumpeter-fluegelhornist Rob Blakeslee tonight, Sandra Booker on June 13, saxophonist Ernie Watts on June 20, pianist Jane Getz with saxophonist Bennie Maupin on June 27 and pianist Cecilia Coleman’s Quintet on July 4. Shows begin at 5:30 p.m.

In addition to the free Friday series, LACMA will feature a trio of free Sunday big-band dates with Bill Berry’s L.A. Big Band scheduled for June 15, the Gerald Wilson Orchestra on July 13 and the Bill Holman Band on Aug. 17. Shows begin at 1:30 p.m. Information: (213) 857-6000.

Free jazz will also be heard at the Armand Hammer Museum of Art and Cultural Center on June 8, 2 p.m., when the UCLA Jazz Combo plays pieces inspired by Dr. Seuss. Information: (310) 443-7000.

The museum’s “Westwood Jazz at the Hammer” series starts June 20 with pianist Eric Reed’s trio, followed by drummer Peter Erskine’s trio on June 27, singer-composer-guitarist Dori Caymmi on July 11, saxophonist Buddy Collette on July 18, the Jazzbirds on July 25 and keyboardist Billy Mitchell’s group Aug. 1. All concerts are at 6:30 p.m. Information: (310) 824-6365.

In Town: Danish vocalist Caecile Norby, in town to support her new Blue Note release “My Corner of the Sky,” will make several appearances with pianist Eric Reed, bassist Andy Simpkins and drummer Sherman Ferguson this coming week, including Lunaria on Monday, (310) 282-8870; the Baked Potato Pasadena on Wednesday, (818) 564-1122; Steamers Cafe in Fullerton on Thursday, (714) 871-8800; and the World Stage next Friday, (213) 293-2451. Her free performance tonight at Borders Books and Music, (310) 393-9290, on Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade features pianist Lars Jansson, 8 p.m.

Free Jazz: Pianists Eric Reed and Brad Mehldau bring their respective trios to the Veterans Wadsworth Theater Sunday, 7 p.m., for a concert sponsored by the UCLA Student Committee for the Arts. Information: (310) 794-8961. . . .

Keyboardist Patrice Rushen and drummer Ndugu Chancler are joined by the R-Mondo Band on the plaza at the downtown Music Center Saturday, beginning at 11:30 a.m. The event is sponsored by the Playboy Jazz Festival. Information: (310) 449-4070.

Kenton Conclave: Highlights of next weekend’s four-day convention “The Kenton Era,” presented by the American Jazz Institute at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Redondo Beach beginning Thursday, include a panel with Howard Rumsey, Pete Rugolo, Conte Candoli and others discussing the bandleader’s work in the ‘40s (Thursday, 10 a.m.); a presentation of music arranged by Gerry Mulligan for Kenton (next Friday, 2:30 p.m.); and performances of music from Kenton’s Neophonic Orchestra period performed by an all-star band under the direction of Mark Masters (June 7, 8:30 p.m.). The conference ends June 8.

Information: (213) 463-1692.

Short Take: Animated alto saxophonist Arthur Blythe is scheduled to join trombonist Steve Turre’s 10-piece Sanctified Shells ensemble when it plays the Veterans Wadsworth Theater on June 7.

Information: (310) 825-2101.