Soulful Kenny hits the spot

Miles may have over-estimated his protege s influence on a crowded jazz world, but he did correctly predict his popularity. Garrett s records sell without artistic concessions to smooth-jazz pap and his live performances always hit the spot.

Back for the first time since triumphing here two years ago, the skull-capped American led his young group by example. His latest Warner album, Happy People, seemed to contain fewer memorable themes than usual, apart from the brisk Tango in 6, but he wrested complex yet soulful alto-sax solos from them all.

Vernell Brown, a dreadlocked and McCoy Tynerish pianist, and Vicente Archer, a hardworking bassist with a big sound and plenty of stamina, took their spots well and drummer John Lamkin swung as hard as young New Yorkers do.

Asian Medley, an off-mic ballad sequence for soprano sax and piano, was a welcome change of pace and volume, Kenny s now-gentle sound suddenly competing with the air-conditioning and scraping of restaurant chairs upstairs.

Sing a Song of Song, a killer-diller number from his Songbook album, closed the set with brief clap-along and sing-along features that amused the customers and did not irritate the band overmuch. That s why people who admire thoughtful programming and solid craftsmanship call him "the real Kenny G".

Kenny Garrett, The Ronnie Scott's All Stars