CABARET AND JAZZ REVIEWS : SIDRAN BY THE SEA

Ben Sidran was having fun with jazz Thursday evening before a small but vocal audience at Concerts by the Sea in Redondo Beach. His lyrics were witty and well suited to the thin croakiness of his voice, his piano style was generally relaxed and lyrical, and he never hesitated to jump feet first into a toe-tapping, head-nodding groove that served to soft-sell his jazz message.

Joining him were bassist Bill Peterson, drummer Gordy Knudtson and trombonist Bruce Paulson, with both Sidran and Paulson soloing deftly.

Much of Sidran’s recorded music these days embraces rock and funk rhythms, but there was no denying bebop. While Sidran is particularly suited to lighter, pop-oriented material, he had fun delivering his serious jazz message.