At the Lighthouse, Lto R: Andy Langham, Clay Jenkins, Kristin Korb, Steve Schaffer and Kim Richmond.©Glenn A. Mitchell

Although the famed Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach continues its jazz policy with a pared down schedule each month, Sunday, February 17th was a rare treat, with Kim Richmond’s cooking quintet.  They produced vibrant and swinging sounds as though the Lighthouse had never missed a day of live jazz.  There was a full house of jazz fans who listened intently during both sets.

Richmond is a consummate educator, musician, composer and arranger.   He performs on tenor, alto and soprano saxes.  He has conducted many clinics and jazz camps around the country and stays busy performing in musical groups, large and small, around the Southland.  His ensemble included special guest and longtime performing partner, trumpeter Clay Jenkins, who now lives on the East Coast and teaches at Eastman School of Music.  Rounding out the quintet was Andy Langham--piano, Kristin Korb--bass and vocals,  and Steve Schaffer--drums.  The nice standard, “The Best Things in Life are Free,” began the set.  On Mal Waldron’s “Soul Eyes,” Jenkins gave a very soulfully felt solo on the trumpet.  Korb’s rich bass tones made for some deeply balanced sounds for the group.  Richmond alto sax work sparkled.  Langham’s piano playing in a Latinized arrangement of Coltrane’s “Like Sonny” evidenced some brilliant choices of harmonic voicing with fine solos from each musician. Next came a unique arrangement of Richmond’s “Just Friends,” which contained a constant series of key changes of this highly recognizable number.  Brilliant solos were intertwined in the piece from Langham, Korb and Schaffer.