JAZZ REVIEW : Petrucciani Produces Usual Array of World-Class Sounds

The wonder that is Michel Petrucciani is making another of his annual appearances at Catalina Bar & Grill this week. His opening night set Tuesday was, as always, a passionate presentation of world-class jazz.

No matter how often one sees the three-foot high, French-born pianist, who was afflicted at birth with osteogenesis imperfecta (glass bone disease), one is never quite prepared for the vast array of music that issues forth from such a deceptively tiny source.

Opening with an instantly grooving reading of Miles Davis’ “So What,” Petrucciani needed no warm-up, swinging hard from the first note of a complex improvisation that seemed to flow in irresistible waves of recurring musical intensity.

Equally effective were a surprisingly rapid “My Funny Valentine” and a breathtaking, up-tempo romp through “Billie’s Bounce.” But the highlight of the set was an original ballad that made a convincing case for Petrucciani’s skills as a composer.

He was supported by bassist Michael Bowie and drummer Wilby Fletcher--both impressive soloists.

Even more importantly, they have worked with Petrucciani long enough to react with almost symbiotic quickness to his every sudden twist and turn. The result is contemporary jazz at its best. The engagement continues through Sunday.