Ron Kobayashi © Jamie Muir

Pianist Ron Kobayashi’s trio was introduced by Chris Williams, vocalist and Musical Director of Orange County Pavilion. Kobayashi was accompanied by Baba Elefante on electric and upright bass and drummer Steve Dixon. Kobayashi has a large base of Orange County jazz fans. The Pavillion is a newer venue, with main concert theater (where this concert took place), a first class restaurant with usually a jazz trio on the second floor, and another venue in the basement, The Vault, which also features jazz.

Kobayashi began his program, working solo at the piano, with one of the most popular standards ever, “Over the Rainbow,” and it was a definite crowd pleaser. His second number was his own composition, “Waltz for Bill,” dedicated to Bill Evans. As he began the tune, his sidemen came on stage to join him for this pretty tune. After some talk with the audience and the band introductions, they continued with a lively version of “I’ll Remember April.”

Elefante uses his electric bass more than his upright. It is not a surprise that its rhythmic value sustains the trio’s objectives throughout the arrangements. Their next tune, “Highway 133” (composed by Elefante), showed off his electric bass once more. He really made it talk! There was, unfortunately, some distortion, apparently from not having a thorough sound check done by the venue’s sound people ahead of time. This was fixed later in the show. 

Guest saxophonist Margitan was introduced. He also has a large Orange County following. The quartet played a rousing rendition of Charlie Parker’s “Billie’s Bounce.” One of the things I always like about Margitan’s sax playing is his playing two saxes (tenor and soprano) at the same time, which he did here, wowing the audience. He is also a vocalist and was asked to do “My One and Only Love,” as Elefante gave a warm bass solo. Another guest saxophonist from the audience, Jerry Mandel, was invited up to the stage and he and Margitan performed “Satin Doll.” Dixon’s drumming was effective, strong and supportive for everyone on stage.

Vocalist Debbi Ebbert was the featured performer and she really made the show! She puts a lot of pizzazz into her delivery of every song she does, connecting to her audience at all times. Her selections were “Return to Paradise,” “More Today Than Yesterday,” “Guess Who I Saw Today” (dedicated to her favorite, Nancy Wilson), “On Green Dolphin Street,” “You Are the Song,” and lastly, “Come Rain or Come Shine.” This audience was very supportive of all musicians and gave them a well-deserved standing ovation. See Ron Kobayashi’s website: www.carpetcat.com.

Glenn A. Mitchell is a bassist and writer for the LA Jazz Scene. This review is reprinted with permission from the August 2007 issue.