Coryell & Sons: Family Business

Father-and-son pairings are rare, but not unheard of, in jazz. Among a number of combinations that come to mind are saxophonists Dewey and Joshua Redman and guitarists Larry and Dave Koonse. But jazz alliances between a father and two sons are considerably less common (Lester and Lee Young’s ‘20s performances with a family band led by their father, pianist Willis Handy Young, is among the rare examples).

This week, however, jazz fans have an opportunity to hear a very contemporary, very adept father-and-two-sons ensemble in action at Catalina Bar & Grill. The participants are guitarists Larry Coryell and his sons, Murali, 30, and Julian, 26.

Larry Coryell is one of the pioneer jazz/rock/fusion artists, an active member of the numerous ‘60s ensembles--led by Chico Hamilton, Gary Burton, Herbie Mann and others--blending pop, blues and rock elements into the jazz experience. His ‘70s group, Eleventh House, paralleled the work of, among others, Weather Report and Return to Forever.

His broad-based skills and eclectic interests surfaced acoustically as well via pairings with guitarists such as John Scofield, Jeff Beck, John McLaughlin, an album of classical transcriptions and leadership of his own bands.

Much of that diversity and skill has passed to his two sons, each of whom reflects differing facets of his father’s interests. Murali is a blues-based player with an appealing vocal style, and Julian balances acoustic playing with hard-driving, straight-ahead improvisational abilities.

Seated stage center between his offspring, Larry Coryell led them through an eclectic program ranging from swiftly unfolding lines of Thelonious Monk’s “Trinkle, Tinkle” to a ballad rendering of “In a Sentimental Mood” to a vocal version of Charles Mingus’ “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat” (sung by Murali Coryell).

Aside from a few opening-night uncertainties on Tuesday, the playing was crisp and engaging, solidly supported by bassist Bunny Brunel and drummer Gerry Gibbs.

BE THERE

The Coryells at Catalina Bar & Grill through Sunday. 1640 N. Cahuenga Blvd., (323) 466-2210. $15 cover tonight at 8:30 and 10:30; $17 cover Friday and Saturday at 8:30 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m. $15 cover Friday and Saturday at 10:30 p.m. and Sunday at 9 p.m.