Recalling a Dynamic Manne Ensemble

Of all the premier small groups put together by crack Los Angeles-based drummer Shelly Manne, one of the finest was the one in 1959-1960 that featured pianist Victor Feldman, saxophonist Richie Kamuca, trumpeter Joe Gordon and bassist Monty Budwig.

That dynamic ensemble is splendidly documented on “Shelly Manne & His Men at the Blackhawk,” five albums just reissued on Original Jazz Classics. Much of the 1959 material, recorded live at the famed San Francisco jazz club, first appeared on Contemporary Records and was produced by label owner Lester Koenig.

But these new albums, which have been released separately on both CD and cassette, include numerous alternate takes of previously released tracks, while one album is devoted solely to never-released material.

On such tunes as Benny Golson’s “Step Lightly,” and Bill Holman’s “A Gem From Tiffany,” the distinguished band played with a hard-driving melodicism associated with such East Coast-based units as Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers.

Perhaps the key to the quintet’s fire was Feldman, a native of London who was a soulful, percussive artist influenced by Bud Powell and Wynton Kelly.

“This band had an amazingly strong pulse, which was due to Victor, whose rhythmic concept was so powerful,” said bassist Budwig, 62, who played with Manne from the ‘50s through ‘80s. He’s the last surviving member of the 1959-1960 ensemble.

“Also, Victor had such a wonderful harmonic knowledge that he made whatever note you played sound better, and he inspired Shelly, who played at his best,” added Budwig, who appears tonight through Sunday with the revamped Lighthouse All-Stars at the Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood.

Critic’s Choice: While New York-based pianist Joey Calderazzo doesn’t play with the same finger-popping vitality that defined Feldman’s work, he offers passion and energy in his renditions. Calderazzo, who reveals influences of McCoy Tyner and Herbie Hancock, tackles up-tempo vehicles with ferociousness, and yet has a deft touch when delivering a tender ballad.

The keyboardist plays Tuesday through next Sunday at the Catalina Bar & Grill, where he’ll work with bassist John Patitucci and drummer Dave Weckl. The engagement should offer listeners a solid example of what a high-level, modern post-bop piano trio can do.