George Cables Trio@Vibrato 08.09.11
By George W. Harris

Like a vintage car, sometimes it takes the tincture of time to appreciate a true classic. One of the last remaining truly great exponents of graceful jazz strolled into town for a rare LA appearance. George Cables, who made his name as the reliable sidemen for the likes of Art Pepper, Dexter Gordon and Freddie Hubbard. Supported by the hotter than a piston team of Joe LaBarbera/dr and Pat Senatore/b, Cables cruised like a V8 Chevy Malibu through a pair of Hubbard classics, “You’re My Everything” and “Up Jumped Spring,” that hugged the corners like high performance tires.

Cables’ selection of notes, timing, space and dynamics was as well tuned as a BMW, and he popped the clutch like a 4 Wheel Drive up the Mammoth Grade on LaBarbera’s funky backbeat on “Blackfoot” who performed all night with the understated taste of a Lexus interior. The delicacy and softness of Cables’ touch on “My One And Only Love” was as comfortable as leather bucket seats, while he was able to pick up speed with the alacrity of a Porsche C on a take of “All The Things You Are” that left listeners in the dust. Closing with a supercharged “Doxy,” Cables showed the appreciate audience at the upscale club that gimmicks and fads may come and go, but nothing has ever replaced style and class.